Family/Hunting Dog wanted

[MidnightRun]

Looking for advise from GSP and Lab owners.

I have been looking at GSP's specificaly for over a year now, based on the following: Family companion, Grouse hunting.
Now here is the reality: I would like a dog that will work in my famly situation which is my wife and our 2 1/2 yr old son and my sister who also lives with us (she has an older cat that stays in her room). I have a decent size fenced yard in town. My son and I make it out to the bush 1-2 times a week, sometimes more if I can get away with it for hunting, fishing, atving, plinking or whatever. My rationale for a GSP over a Lab has been its smaller physical size and propensity for upland birds. Its been 5 years since my last dog and I would really to make the right decision for myself / family and fairness to the dog breed. Any recomendations from experience would be greatly apreciated!

[LOC]

I have a 1.5 year old GSP, he is a great dog, but full of energy. During the week he is out for at least 2 walks a day, or a walk and an hour or so at the off leash park. Weekends is either in the bush or out 3 times a day with him - and he still has energy to spare.
We don't have kids, but he is very gental around the niece and nephew, seems to sense they can't handle as much and calms right down around them.
He doesn't like cats, but he didn't grow up with any either, he is good with other dogs though.

[plumbob]

Labs are great but it's real tough to have a serious hunting dog and a family pet.If you want a dog that can retreive and be a pet I have had luck with labs.Mine have all been good with cats and other pets.

[rugeer]

I had a german short hair for his life (13 years) easy to train,loved to work, but very needy, these dogs need a lot of attention and a lot of exercise. They are a good family dog as they are not aggresive not bad for everyday camping, but you don't want them in the boat when you are salmon fishing as they are very exitable also the whole family has to be invoved with its training as they have a tendancy to be a one man dog( that was my mistake the dog and my son were born a month apart my wife did not have the time) . As with any purebreed look at the history of the parents you do not want a lot of vet bills

[Poguebilt]

I have a 1.5 year old GSP, he is a great dog, but full of energy. During the week he is out for at least 2 walks a day, or a walk and an hour or so at the off leash park. Weekends is either in the bush or out 3 times a day with him - and he still has energy to spare.
We don't have kids, but he is very gental around the niece and nephew, seems to sense they can't handle as much and calms right down around them.
He doesn't like cats, but he didn't grow up with any either, he is good with other dogs though.

TOO FAR!! Hagen will back this up too!

[MidnightRun]

I appreciate what has been said here so far, looking forward to more input.

Poguebilt, can you clarify this:

TOO FAR!! Hagen will back this up too!

[tomahawk]

I have owned a GSP years ago and now have a choc lab. They both are smart, easily trained and faithful. The lab I would say is more lively and ready to go for anything than the GSP. If you want a smaller lab get the english labs, males are only about 24".

[moosinaround]

I'll Tell yah The best dog I have had ever was a Golden Retriever! Gentle, strong, and an AWESOME retriever and tracker. This dog was loyal, loving and energetic. Kids could use him as a jungle gym and he would just lay there. Very fast learner, and never forgot commands. He lived for the outdoors, Water, mud, water, water, must have been part fish. Lost him to a car last easter, loved that bugger!! We now have a Black lab. She is strong, energetic, and VERY headstrong. She is just over a year now and has started to come into her own. Starting to listen better, and remember commands. Not a very good retriever right now, I am hoping to change that. Don't think I could go without one now, sure would like another Golden though!! RIP MACKIE we miss yah buddy!! Moosin

[farside]

My vote is GSP. Very easily trained as they have a need to please. BUT they are an active dog. A tired GSP is a happy GSP. Great with kids and can be protective when there is need. Ours was not needy but he did like to be around us. We didn't have to train him for grouse - he showed us how its done. Hated wet grouse though. Would drop the bird for sure.

[Jimsue]

What ever you decide on make sure they are working stock parents, not show dogs, make sure the parents have all the health clearances that affect that breed, OFFA and CERF for labs would be manditory for any thing I breed to. I'm sure some one who is into GSP can inform you what to look for in that breed. I'v only ever had labs so my input on which is best would be a bit bias...............