I can get either one of these dogs through rescue and was wondering what one would be more likely to be the best gun dog? Does anyone have an opinion?

Those Hungarian Vizslas are lovely dogs.

I'm not a pointer guy so I can't say which would be a better bird dog but setters are good looking dogs.

Me i would go for the vizsla

One thing to consider is the dog's energy level and how you'll handle it. The vizlas I've met have been very high energy animals, even compared to our dd and the gsp's I've known over the years. I would think that if you're not willing or able to give a vizla vigorous exercise every day, you'd be better off with a different breed. Other than that, I'd just meet the dogs and get the one you have a connection with.

Enjoy,
Dean

Thanks you all for your advice. I just talked to the trainer that is going to help me and he said he would prefer to work with the setter. So I took his advice and going to get her ( she's a beauty)

Having been a Setter man for 30+years,you wont go wrong but get a dog bred from a FDSB line NOT AKC.FDSB are bred from hunting lines not confirmation.FDSB lines are GENERALLY smaller size,smaller spots&ticking&relatively shorter hair.good luck with your new gyp!

you'll be happy with a nice setter. every vizla i've ever been acquainted with have been very high energy (read wild as hell) setters have great personalities

I have always had setters but do not kid yourself. There are two types of setters. Those you may get back east may be developed more for woodcock and grouse and those make very good family dogs.
Mine come from field trial stock and are big runners and a bit smaller than the eastern variety. They are also high strung. Make good pets but they see me pull out a shotgun and they about do back flips. Very loyal dogs. There is a huge difference in breeding. If you are buying something blind, you may get lucky and you may just be getting a nice pet.

EZ

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
I have always had setters..... Make good pets but they see me pull out a shotgun and they about do back flips...

Our dogs do that too. It is great to have a dog (or dogs) that LOVE to hunt and know when you pick up a shotgun or game bag that it is time to hunt.

The Viszla is a high energy dog. They are also very people oriented they will stick with you like velcro. My sons Viszla Roxy is also the best couch potatoe I have ever seen. Get a shotgun out, hunting boots, camo, etc and the switch turns on. She is truely a great bird dog. DW

Dicky1,

since you're getting a dog from a rescue, how do you know that it's not gunshy? or worse yet it could have too much showline.

You need to find out why the dog ended up there in the first place.

I have done some work with a chespeake bay retriever rescue and we allow potential owners try the dog on for size before they commit to the dog. That way people get a dog that will work for them. Most rescues should allow this.

Dicky1,

you should ask to contact former owner's of these dogs. It is going to be very hard to determined if these rescue are hunter or not during spring time. Not all rescue operations will work with you as a matter of fact, very few will and they will be vague. Most rescues want the money.

A reputable rescue organization should let you try out the dog before you commit If they won't you should look elsewhere. You should be able to find out the history of the dog and be able to contact the former owners if the rescue has the info they should be more than willing to share it with you.