I was always impressed with the Pudelpointer's I saw while at NAVHDA events. It is only the only other breed I would want to pair with my Vizsla and let it take over more of the waterfowl side of my hunting, but still hunt upland. In fact it was my plan this time around, but My V is full of field trail blood and handles like a wild mustang. With my hands full training that one, I am holding off on the 2nd dog for now. Maybe after I get another strong upland season and some road trip versatile hunting under her I will start looking.

While I believe there is no better dog on the planet when it comes to retrieving game than a lab, there are a couple other breeds I’ve seen that got the job done.

My second choice other than a lab would be a Golden. While they can be quirky there are definitely some that are bad to the bone. I would be very picky on where I got one from.


The other breed I would consider would be a pudelpointer. The few have been around had great water attitude, retrieving desire and temperament. I would also only take one from a specific litter I’ve actually been looking at. I know the dam and she’s a beast.


The GSPs I’ve been around might could retrieve your birds but they just don't typically act like they enjoy sitting and watching, they want to hunt a field:

Every chessie I’ve been around looked like it was in slow motion and didn’t particularly care for their temperaments.

Used to hunt with a buddy who had a Boykin. Amazing dove dog, hated cold water. They just aren’t built for the cold.

How many of yall treat your dogs as family?

There are alot of great hunting breeds but not many good hunting and family breeds.

I hunt Pudelpointers. More upland than waterfowl but still a fair amount of waterfowl. I’ve had them in a lot of places and they handle it in stride. From the rank gulf coast marshes in the south to single digits up near Canada. The two I have are pretty solid duck dogs.










Edit to add: and yeah they sleep in the house and my wife spoils them.

Interesting, He looks more lab than puddle.

Lol. I like them.

Isn’t yours a “Short Haired Pudelpointer”? Seems I remember you posting that, but I can’t find anything on the internet. I thought your dog was a lab when I first saw.

I would prefer a slick coat for the water.

I would prefer a slick coat for the water.

I would prefer a slick coat for the water.

Lol. I like them.

I think he looks sharp, I just can’t do the puddle hair/look

my chessie is long enough. I love a DD but burrs are not fun

Burrs are a non issue with the slick coats.

She is Ff.