What’s the Most Popular Bird Dog Breed in Pheasants Forever Land?
These Pheasants Forever members display the diversity of tastes in bird dog breeds.
According to the American Kennel Club, the Labrador retriever continues to be the most popular dog breed in the United States. In fact, the Lab has held the top slot for 18 consecutive years according to the AKC.
From a bird hunting perspective, it’s hard to argue with the abilities of Labs. They retrieve with enthusiasm, swim like furry fish and cuddle like first girlfriends. While Pheasants Forever doesn’t have bird dog ownership statistics connected with our members, I believe I’m safe in assuming that Labs would rank as the most commonly owned breed in the Pheasants Forever membership as well.
After Labs, I think it’s anybody’s guess what dog breeds round out the top 5 most owned pups among Pheasants Forever members. After eight years working for Pheasants Forever and hunting with members from coast-to-coast, I know there are a wide variety of fine breeds represented. I’ve shot roosters over PF members’ Vizslas, griffons, Drathaars, setters and even poodles. So here is my completely unscientific, best guess of the top five most popular dog breeds within Pheasants Forever’s membership:
1) Labrador Retriever
2) English Springer Spaniel
3) Golden Retriever
4) German Shorthaired Pointer
5) Brittany
Remember, I’m not making any judgments upon ability; simply popularity.
So, with that in mind, what do you think are the most commonly owned breeds within Pheasants Forever’s 130,000 members?
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever’s Vice President of Marketing.
Tags: Brittany, English Spring Spaniel, German shorthaired pointer, golden retriever, Labrador Retriever
14 Responses to “What’s the Most Popular Bird Dog Breed in Pheasants Forever Land?”
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I think it should be the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon….But I could be a bit biased. Not many people have been exposed to them, and those that have continue to be astounded by them. Those on the list have earned their spot, but I don’t think the Griff is far from moving up to the top five spot. And of course I plan to help
Hey Bob- If you ever make it to Northeastern SD look me up. I would be more than happy to let you hunt over a Braque du Bourbonnais. I think you will fall in love with this breed. A family dog with a desire to please and hunts with the bests of them.
LAB….HANDS DOWN! Popularity and ABILITY! in all aspects of hunting and family! oh yeah!
Ohio PF dogs (popularity)
Lab! (black mostly)
GSP (Close Second)
English Setter
Brittany
English Pointer
Jason,
I may have to take you up on your kind offer. I am looking forward to seeing my first Braque du Bourbonnais tomorrow when the Omaha World Herald does a photo shoot with the bird dogs scheduled to participate in the Pheasant Fest Bird Dog Parade on Friday.
I agree with Tracy. I have been pheasant hunting for over 40 years and have owned or hunted with the breeds listed. I learned about the Griffin 4 years ago through NAVHDA.
Finest upland field dog that I have seen and very few people are familiar with the breed. Last year my 2 year old Griffon had 47 retrieves in a row on wild pheasants
in SD without a lost bird. If trained properly this breed is amazing plus they are great family dogs.
According to AKC’s website of most popular breeds, based on numbers registered in 2010:
Labradors #1
Golden Retrievers #5
German Shorthair Pointers #16
English Springer Spaniels #29
Brittanys #30
Of course, this represents the population at large, not bird hunters. Sometimes popularity can be the “kiss of death” for a breed…
Bob, I’m surprised you didn’t mention any of the setters or German Wirehair Pointers. They are very popular out West.
Chris,
Thanks for the comment.
I love wirehairs and setters. Great pheasant dogs and great bird dogs in general. I just haven’t seen many PF guys with either breed. I know 1 wirehair chapter guy in MN and a few setter guys. I tend to run into more setter guys that are RGS chapter folks than PF. Just my observations . . . nothing scientific.
For me, it is GSP, and I have three of them. But in NW Wisconsin, I never see those dogs out hunting (by anyone other than the breeder and myself). I also have never run into any in North Dakota, oddly enough, even hunting sharptails on the Teddy Roosevelt Grasslands. I do see other pointing dogs, but no GSP. I’m hunting in out of the way places, though, maybe the popular dogs go elsewhere!
Sorry to ice the deal and add to the data BUT I hunt with a lab and have for the last 13 years.
Good to see you at “The Fest” Robert.
UGUIDE
I dunno, I love my English Setters! Pheasants, grouse, woodcock, chuckers Look out!
GSP are pretty popular and hard to beat for the hunting we do in Missouri. The short hair is very nice for after the hunt clean up as both mine are also family pets. Had a longer haired dog once and cocklburs oh my! Also the GSP are friendly, mild mannered, very interested in pleasing their master, point, retrieve, honor, in fact all hunting skills are very instinctive. No doubt the most popular in the circles I hunt in. The english pointer are probably a close second. The Brit and Setters are third and Fourth. Labs are basically only used by duck hunters in this area although I own a Lab also and of course there is no argueing this being the most popular breed overall for a lot of good reasons.
I did not know there was any other types of dogs….GSP all the way!!!!!
I have a yellow lab…I will never own a different breed. That’s just my taste. If you find a dog that is a good hunter/family dog, you have gold. The rest is up to how well, and how often the dog is trained and worked. People tend to blame the breed for a lack of effort put forth training their hunting partners. I defy anyone to show that any of these breeds won’t be a more than satisfactory hunting partner.
Stop running after wide ranging dogs. Get a Griff. Johanus Korthals knew what he was doing when he started the breed in Holland. They point,retieve from land and water trail furred game and make great couch potatoes.Their facial hair causes them to live up to their French name Griffe’[CLOWN].