I've had two GSP that were great waterfowl dogs. But of course, it doesn't get all that cold around here very often and when it does, I just stay home where it's warm. I have also owned Labs. The main difference between the two is that Labs live to please their master and only have to be told not to do something once or twice and they won't do it anymore. GSP live to please themselves and any command from their master is taken into account as just a suggestion.