Visla vs GSP / GWP

[Tom D]

I’m on the lookout for a pup, we‘ve always had labs but I really fancy a pointer. I have stalked with a good indicator dog and it was as good as thermal and much more rewarding. we have always had labs in my family so I fancy a lab cross, hopefully the nature and train ability of the lab and the indicating skills of the pointer.
I haven’t ruled out a pure bred pointer or visla either, so what are the differences? i don’t really know any vislas so I’d love to know what they’re like.

 

[jimmy milnes]

What do you think you could gain from a cross lab that a lab won't give you?
Cheers
Jimmy

 

[Gm81]

We have a viz (1yr) and a gwp (3yrs).
The viz is nuts. Not an easier route or between a gwp and a lab type dog. He is totally driven. He feels the cold really easily. His nose is really good. Especially being so young.
But every negative has a positive. My gwp can't work in 18 Degc plus. I have to watch him. He gets heat stroke quick. The viz will no problem.
Growing up time. He is similar to my gwp. So we expect a couple of years yet.
When he points the viz is beautiful. Always reminds me of pluto too.
I love my gwp. He is great for what I do with him.
If moving from a lab, expect serious brains and them to make the labs/spaniels look like they are snails. It totally shocked me how much ground they can cover. I guess it depends what you are used too.
Will I have gwp again? Yes
Will I have a vizla again? At the moment no. To soft for our winter and sitting cold. But see how he grows. He may come good as he ages. May just need a coat. The brambles rip him to bits too. But he doesn't bother about it. Looks sore though.
Maybe a HWV I will look at.
Labs are great. Versatile dogs for most things. Easier to teach too.

 

[rem284]

Gwp everytime for me. It is important to put the basic training in 200%.

 

[Sakoodin1]

I’ve used 4 labs and I gwp when I was a contractor with the f/c Scotland,yea the gwp was a great dog and I would have another tomorrow but to be honest he didn’t do anything a lab couldn’t!!my labs used to pull roe and red down no problem at all,the only slight difference was the gwp was slightly more aggressive so you didn’t have to put as much into take down training? where as the lab needed a bit more encouragement but once you got the labs into it they were great.

 

[wildfowler1]

HWV . For me every time. Wf1

 

[Mud Stuffin]

HWV +1

 

[howa243]

I’m on the lookout for a pup, we‘ve always had labs but I really fancy a pointer. I have stalked with a good indicator dog and it was as good as thermal and much more rewarding. we have always had labs in my family so I fancy a lab cross, hopefully the nature and train ability of the lab and the indicating skills of the pointer.
I haven’t ruled out a pure bred pointer or visla either, so what are the differences? i don’t really know any vislas so I’d love to know what they’re like.

Had Labs for 40 years and decided when the last one passed on to try a Viszla. Very different proposition. Whilst I think she is a lovely animal she certainly is no Labrador. Very talkative, very bright and constantly seeking attention. Wouldn't be without her, but she is very much an inside dog. She would not be able to put up with the same conditions as the Lab.

 

[Scotty99]

Go for a HWV (wirehaired Vizsla) from good working stock. They are terrific dogs for fur and feather. They were originally bred in Hungary in the 1930s from a Vizsla and a GWP so have the traits of both in the bloodline. It is rumoured that some where along the way a little bloodhound was introduced to improve the nose. The HWV is a true HPR so they will hunt, point and retrieve.

 

[Tom D]

Thanks for all the replies. I fancied a lab cross because I like labs, because I want a dog that will point and because I thought the coat of the lab would help toughen up the short hair of a gsp or visla. I hadn’t considered that there was such a big difference between the wire haired and short haired vislas.

 

[Sakoodin1]

A lot of the grouse lads down Penrith/shap way have lab crosses and they love them!!!they are also putting gwp to lurches to make a stronger dog for them

 

[Waz77]

I have a GWP X Lab and found her great to train, been out stalking since 6 month old and going well, still much to learn though

 

[countrryboy]

To be honest there is no easy answer.

Everyone wants different things from there dogs and just so so many differences between individuals of those breeds wether between lines or even littermates to make generalisations.
With many hpr breeds still can be a big divide between the sexes like there used to be withlabs30 yes ago, now very little difference really.


Personally getting a mongeral is just a waste ( and I've got 2) a pure bred will do the exact same with the right training.
My pure labs hunt just as hard as my gwpX or my Springerdor and actually range further.
Must admit I never thought my lab would range further than a wireX, but then again I've probably been conscious of the fact and kept wireX in more.

Also for Op I'd be amazed if any hprX would reliably point.
Don't get me wrong u can train almost any dog to point or sett, my old lab done it but only for seconds, I think Americans have strains of pointing labs.
And many modern FT spaniel trainers now are training there dogs to indicate game before they flush it

 

[rem284]

There are so many variables in the mix to achieve the end product. Breed of dog, individual characteristics, training and influences to name but a few. I like to keep to pure breeds because its one less variable. I get a gwp x lab from a couple occasioally for some training. They thought he would be easy to train because of the lab part. Well, he is like a gwp but in black. When i have him he chooses to behave because he knows he wont get away with any nonsense. When he goes back to them he knows how to take charge. I think the individual characteristic of the dog is the important one, for deer work you need them to be bold. There is a lot of luck needed to get the desired end product. The best of luck to you tom

 

[countrryboy]

U don't say wot other shooting u do?

The best way is getting out in field and seeing wot different dogs/breeds are doing but also compare that to wot the owners say/claim they can do.

Picking up behind another 2 sh##e hprs last wknd, yet owners think there great.

In the past everyone in the pub had the best dog ever but always had a bad day on shoot days, now that's transferred to internet.
And I don't want to offend hpr owners here, but I generally think they are far more loyal/supportive off there chosen breed than other owners and do occasionally have breed tinted glasses on.

Aye rem that can happen with any dog/breed thou. Know a woman who hobby trains dogs to a decent standard has the same problem with a lab she trained.
Behaves perfect for her,owner hasnae sussed leaving it free running in his front garden with rabbits and pheasants all day is very good for steadiness

1 thing is always true no matter the breed if ur good with dogs u generally always have a decent 1 no matter the breed/colour.
Althou u can make it easier by choosing a breed suitable to wot u do.

 

[Richiee_Nankz_Knivez]

I've got 3 GWPs 3 generations (see Picture) and use one just for deer, and the other two for everything else, picking up, beating, ducks, woodcock and both will track deer, with my observation over the past 13 years, IMO they are fitter stronger faster, than other HPR's, they take a bit more training and are harder in nature being head strong, but once you get pass that you will have a hunting machine.

Their engines are like tour DE France riders, but with sprinters speed, they also air scent which is a massive bonus.

I don't believe that crossing either a Lab or a pointer is necessary as they are fantastic and should be protected as a pure breed.

But the biggest question should be:- what do you want from the dog?

 

[Dunwaters]

I’m on the lookout for a pup, we‘ve always had labs but I really fancy a pointer. I have stalked with a good indicator dog and it was as good as thermal and much more rewarding. we have always had labs in my family so I fancy a lab cross, hopefully the nature and train ability of the lab and the indicating skills of the pointer.
I haven’t ruled out a pure bred pointer or visla either, so what are the differences? i don’t really know any vislas so I’d love to know what they’re like.

It really depends on what you're looking for, dedicated deer dog only or an all rounder with the ability to take in a bit of rough shooting.
I've never owned a vizla but seen a few in action, no better or worse than a GSP but they do seem to feel the cold.
There are some really tasty gwp's around but be careful, they can be very aggressive with other dogs and damned intimidating to people too.
I would personally steer clear of x bred mixes, if it was as easy as putting a lab to a pointer and getting both characteristics blended in the pups we'd have standardised it and recognised the breed by now. Pedigree dogs tend to perform more predictably, no guarantees mind, just better odds.
I'm using GSP, deer and birds, not trying to claim that they're perfect but they suit me and they're a bit easier to come by than some of the more esoteric breeds

 

[Kjf]

Here's r Mack . Gwp x lab
Sire lab
Dam Gwp hes 2.5 years old now. Hes been a challenge. But is coming on to be a good dog. He does all I need of him

Kjf

 

[Keith Edmunds]

I've got 3 GWPs 3 generations (see Picture) and use one just for deer, and the other two for everything else, picking up, beating, ducks, woodcock and both will track deer, with my observation over the past 13 years, IMO they are fitter stronger faster, than other HPR's, they take a bit more training and are harder in nature being head strong, but once you get pass that you will have a hunting machine.

Their engines are like tour DE France riders, but with sprinters speed, they also air scent which is a massive bonus.

I don't believe that crossing either a Lab or a pointer is necessary as they are fantastic and should be protected as a pure breed.

But the biggest question should be:- what do you want from the dog?

I think 'predictability' is the keyword in this thread. Having three generations of any breed is a great advantage. As I have said before, even our litter sisters have different ways so trying to give a black and white summary of an entire 'breed' is tough.Yes, a crossbred only adds to the lack of predictability, yet some have been...'lucky' and ended up with super dogs.
Find out as much as you can about an entire line - it all adds to the mix, especially if line-breeding has taken place - there should be a good reason for it.

 

[Kjf]

I've got 3 GWPs 3 generations (see Picture) and use one just for deer, and the other two for everything else, picking up, beating, ducks, woodcock and both will track deer, with my observation over the past 13 years, IMO they are fitter stronger faster, than other HPR's, they take a bit more training and are harder in nature being head strong, but once you get pass that you will have a hunting machine.

Their engines are like tour DE France riders, but with sprinters speed, they also air scent which is a massive bonus.

I don't believe that crossing either a Lab or a pointer is necessary as they are fantastic and should be protected as a pure breed.

But the biggest question should be:- what do you want from the dog?

I agree mate, I very nearly got a true GWP , watch this space r mack might have a buddy in 2 years,

GWP are powerful great dogs , I should have got one instead of r mack ...... But them I wouldn't have r mack !!

Great breed , but r mates are only as good as there owners

Kjf