bowfisher89
6 pointer
What are the advantages and disadvantages of pointers vs flushing dogs and which one do you like best?
For those of you who have bird dogs
- Thread starter bowfisher89
- Start date
uplandchessies
10 pointer
Many prefer pointers for aesthetic reasons and I won't argue the fact that a dog on point is a beautiful thing to see. History plays a role too, since many believe bird dogs are only pointers. I say a bird dog is one that effectively hunts upland birds.
As for advantages/disadvantages, my opinion is pointers are easier to hunt over. They cover the ground and you walk to the point (less ground covered). With flushers one covers about the same amount of ground as the dog, so as to stay within gun range. I've hunted over both and one "works" much harder with a flushing breed. Additionally, flushers are more methodical in the ground they cover and miss fewer birds. Pointers are awesome, speedy hunters, but this is a drawback that causes them to miss their fair share of birds. It's something I see every year -- state to state -- when taking my dogs into areas that have been covered up in pointers (and occasionally a flusher or 2).
Although some pointing breeds will retrieve naturally (land or water), it's a given with most flushers. Same goes with water retrieves. The advantage of a flusher means the addition of dove and waterfowl hunting. However, exposing the dog to the various conditons (regardless of breed) is what makes the bird dog. I've seen great pointers, worthless flushers and vice versa.
As for advantages/disadvantages, my opinion is pointers are easier to hunt over. They cover the ground and you walk to the point (less ground covered). With flushers one covers about the same amount of ground as the dog, so as to stay within gun range. I've hunted over both and one "works" much harder with a flushing breed. Additionally, flushers are more methodical in the ground they cover and miss fewer birds. Pointers are awesome, speedy hunters, but this is a drawback that causes them to miss their fair share of birds. It's something I see every year -- state to state -- when taking my dogs into areas that have been covered up in pointers (and occasionally a flusher or 2).
Although some pointing breeds will retrieve naturally (land or water), it's a given with most flushers. Same goes with water retrieves. The advantage of a flusher means the addition of dove and waterfowl hunting. However, exposing the dog to the various conditons (regardless of breed) is what makes the bird dog. I've seen great pointers, worthless flushers and vice versa.
BurleyDog
10 pointer
- Jul 4, 2007
- 1,038
Pointers are awesome in many cases. However I prefer my lab.
He says close, is easy to read if he is birdy, and is hell on wounded or crippled birds.
Also flushing dogs are great for birds that run ie pheasants.
It is all personal preference I think and versatility. I have a friend with a wirehaired Griffon and I love that dog. I also really like GSPs.
He says close, is easy to read if he is birdy, and is hell on wounded or crippled birds.
Also flushing dogs are great for birds that run ie pheasants.
It is all personal preference I think and versatility. I have a friend with a wirehaired Griffon and I love that dog. I also really like GSPs.
GSPonGrouse
10 pointer
A Versatile breed can be trained for waterfowl or dove hunting as easily as a lab. And that is the real draw, in a breed to me. Can it do it all if I train it to. Check out the NAVHDA site. The testing on those dogs covers it all. From Birds to fur, Or ducks to sheds.
What are you going to hunt. I can not imagine trying to stay in gun range of a flusher in grouse cover or in the hill country. I have noticed that some guides and outfitters in pheasant states run both pointers and flushers together. Sometimes they. keep the flusher on heal until they have a point then release the flusher.
settermollieb
6 pointer
two guys are hunting, one has two pointers the other two labs, in about 15 min. pointers go on point, nice covey, they get a couple see where the singles went, into some heavy cover, pointers point a couple singles, then go on, 1/2 hour later the labs continue to hunt the heavy grass, finally get up a couple more singles, lab owner lets the pointer know his dogs found birds that the pointers missed, cain' find the pointers where are they there they are on point, another nice covey, same thing pointers find a couple singles labs contiue to hunt for the singles as the pointers go on, they get up a couple more singles, again the lab owner rubs it in says my labs found more singles than your pointers, pointer owner says nuthin, just says where are the pointers once again they are on point another covey same seen . get bback to the truck lab owner says my labs found 10 birds that the pointers missed, what do you think about that pointer owner says lets see pointers found 3 covies times 15 plus 6 singles that 51, think that is a little more than 10.
uplandchessies
10 pointer
Yes, there are versatile breeds that can do it all. Exposing the dog to the conditions is key. My dogs find sheds, as well. From Coues in Arizona to mullies in Montana. Not something I trained for, they just do it.
Keeping up with a flusher in grouse country is no problem if the dog is under control. Been doing it for about 13 years.
slickhead slayer
12 pointer
I have always been of the opinion that the species dictates whether I prefer a pointer or flusher. I would never hunt quail with a flushing dog, they get up quick, and its tougher to get many shots with flushing dogs. But with pheasants, I won't hunt with pointing dogs. We have been going out west for years, and early on tried the pointing dogs, and it just wasn't effective for us, the birds just wouldn't hold points. So we use flushing dogs, and it fits better for us. Thats just my preference, I am sure others are the opposite.
PENCO GSP
Fawn
- Jan 5, 2009
- 31
it's all personal
I like my GSP Guy i hunt with likes his setters but both pointing breeds. We like to grouse hunt. I do think it would be rather hard to keep up with a flushing dog in grouse territory. But when you go to Wisconsin or up north where the birds are plentiful they like to run also. Dogs, pointer or flushing are earthier hunters or bird finders you can not make your dog a bird finder they learn on their own. Just when you take your dog some where else they have to learn to work the birds and the only way to teach that is by getting them into birds. Hunting grouse this year bunch wild flushes took probably 10 birds for the dog to finally figure out it has to stay far back as it can to not flush the bird. So no matter what breed it is the dog has to learn how to work the type the location of the bird so if you like running up to a point, pointer is for you if you can keep up with flusher and you like that style hunting flushers are for you. It's all personal preference.
I like my GSP Guy i hunt with likes his setters but both pointing breeds. We like to grouse hunt. I do think it would be rather hard to keep up with a flushing dog in grouse territory. But when you go to Wisconsin or up north where the birds are plentiful they like to run also. Dogs, pointer or flushing are earthier hunters or bird finders you can not make your dog a bird finder they learn on their own. Just when you take your dog some where else they have to learn to work the birds and the only way to teach that is by getting them into birds. Hunting grouse this year bunch wild flushes took probably 10 birds for the dog to finally figure out it has to stay far back as it can to not flush the bird. So no matter what breed it is the dog has to learn how to work the type the location of the bird so if you like running up to a point, pointer is for you if you can keep up with flusher and you like that style hunting flushers are for you. It's all personal preference.
Ballard County Bounty
6 pointer
It all depends on what you prefer. I prefer a pointing breed. I have a GWP that is absolutely phenominal. A dogs nose is based on strictly his bloodline. My wife has a Weimaraner that is an awesome bird dog but his nose isnt that great. When he locks up on point you better be ready cause the birds are right under his nose. He is close working so that is a good factor. My GWP is a little more rangey but will lock up 20 yards from a bird or covey. So you got plenty of time to get to him. The Weimaraner loves to go duck and goose hunting but he cant cut the sub zero weather. It does not affect my GWP. He is awesome on both waterfowl and upland birds. Sometimes I will cut my GWP lose in a field or fencerow and sit right there and let him work it. If there is something in that field or fence row he will find it. If not I call him off and we load up and go somewhere else. With a flusher you would have to walk that field. I like the versatility of the GWP and like I said before...My hunting companion will forever be a GWP!!!!!!
