Grouse Dogs
The best grouse hunting dogs
Nine breeds that earn their kennel space in grouse camp. Written for the grouse hunter, not the dog show.
Pointing dog or flushing dog for grouse?
A pointing dog finds the bird and freezes, and you walk in to flush it yourself. A flushing dog works inside gun range and puts the bird in the air for you. Both kill grouse every fall. The pointing path gives you the iconic moment of the staunch dog in the alders. The flushing path gives you a simpler dog to train and a partner that doubles on pheasants and ducks without missing a step.
Side by Side
All nine breeds compared
| Breed | Group | Range | Size | Coat | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Setter | Pointing | Medium | 45 to 80 lb | Long, feathered | The hunter who wants the classic grouse dog and the tradition that rides with it |
| Llewellin Setter | Pointing | Medium | 35 to 55 lb | Long, feathered | Foot hunters who want a proven field-bred setter with generations of bird work behind it |
| Brittany | Pointing | Close to medium | 30 to 40 lb | Dense, flat or wavy, light feathering | Hunters who want one close-working dog for the woods and the couch |
| German Shorthaired Pointer | Pointing | Medium | 45 to 70 lb | Short, dense, water-resistant | One-dog hunters who chase grouse, ducks, roosters, and everything between |
| Pointer | Pointing | Big-running | 45 to 75 lb | Short, hard, smooth | Experienced handlers who want maximum ground coverage and trust their dog out of sight |
| Gordon Setter | Pointing | Close to medium | 45 to 80 lb | Long, feathered, black and tan | The hunter who wants one loyal, methodical dog that works close in heavy cover |
| Wirehaired Pointing Griffon | Pointing | Close to medium | 35 to 70 lb | Harsh wire outer coat over a dense undercoat | Cold-weather grouse hunters who want a close, methodical, weatherproof dog |
| English Springer Spaniel | Flushing | Close | 40 to 50 lb | Medium, feathered | Hunters who want a close flusher for cover too thick to point |
| Labrador Retriever | Flushing | Close | 55 to 80 lb | Short, dense | Hunters who want one dog for grouse, ducks, and the living room couch |
Pointing Breeds
English Setter
The poet of the grouse woods
Meet the breed
Llewellin Setter
The grouse-bred setter
Meet the breed
Brittany
The little dog that does it all
Meet the breed
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German do-everything dog
Meet the breed
Pointer
Field trial royalty in the aspen
Meet the breed
Gordon Setter
The Scottish black-and-tan
Meet the breed
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The bearded dog built for bad weather
Meet the breed
Flushing Breeds
FAQ
Grouse dog questions, answered
What is the best grouse hunting dog?
The English Setter, the Brittany, and the German Shorthaired Pointer are the most popular pointing choices for grouse, and any of the three can be the best dog for you. The setter is the heritage grouse dog, the Brittany is the close-working forest specialist, and the GSP is the versatile do-everything option. Flushing hunters do it with Springers and Labs every fall.
Should I get a pointing dog or a flushing dog for grouse?
Get a pointing dog if you want the classic grouse experience of walking in over a locked point, and a flushing dog if you want a close, simple, do-everything partner. Pointing breeds shine in big cover where birds hold. Flushers shine in thick edges and for hunters who also chase waterfowl or pheasants.
How far should a grouse dog range?
Most grouse hunters want a dog working inside 50 to 100 yards in thick cover. In the grouse woods you often cannot see a dog past 40 yards, so close and medium-ranging breeds like the Brittany and many setter lines are favorites. Big-running dogs can work with a GPS collar, but they suit open country better.
Do grouse dogs need a bell or GPS collar?
Yes, some way of tracking your dog in thick cover is close to essential for grouse hunting. The traditional answer is a brass bell on the collar, and silence means point. The modern answer is a GPS e-collar that shows range, direction, and when the dog stops moving. Many hunters run both.