8-31 SS Dog Differences

 English pointers versus German wire hairs… Virtues and liabilities.

Ellis Hunting Ranch is headquartered 15 miles south of Pendleton, Oregon and is comprised of a combination of seven different ranches, each with their own unique terrain. Offering both wild bird hunting and preserve hunting, the ranch is unparalleled for its hunting opportunities. Professional guides and well-trained dogs help ensure successful hunts.One of those guides is owner Paul Ellis who has a very specific take on which dogs he likes to use. “I like English pointers because they have really short coats,  they are easy to maintain and the ones I’ve had have not been hard to keep in the kennels, they don’t choose things up. They are really staunch on point for clients. They tend to hold a point longer allowing everybody to get into position and they also work a little better in warmer clients. On the flip side of that they are not the best retrievers you have ever seen, they don’t jump in the brush and really burrow in there. Some of our terrain, you need a gun dog that is versatile doing that. German wire hairs tend to do both. They are very aggressive and get in the brush but on the other side you’ve got cocklebur issues and they are a little tougher to keep in a kennel without tearing it up but they are both great dogs.  We also have labs and some German short hairs. They are all good dogs but I’ve had really good luck with English pointers.