Looking for a Bird Dog?

FIELD & STREAM III BIRD DOGS What Kin d of BIRD HUNTER Are You? WATERFOWL UPLAND Do you hunt in extreme cold? Do you want a pocket retriever? Did you inherit a quail plantation? No No Yes Yes Do you care about your dog's style and range? Doyouhave access to pheasant country? No BOYKIN SPANIEL The "dog that wont rock the boat" tops out at 40 pounds but has unlimited retrieving energy. No Yes No Are you a disciplinarian? Yes Yes Ever spend time Do you want a dog that won't hog the entire couch? in the grouse woods? No Is this your first gun dog? No Do you prefer a point- ing dog with a full tail? Yes Yes (Yes No No Yes No (Yes BRITTANY The Brittany is an exce- Do you occasionally go duck hunting? lent dog of medium size witha family-friendly dis position. They're known. for close hunting and work well in the piney woods of the South. No LABRADOR RETRIEVER CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER The most versatile gun dogs, Labs can perform in extreme Bred to retrieve ducks in the icy waters of Chesapeake Bay, Chessies are very smart but sometimes require a firm, consistent training hand. conditions and even be trained for the uplands. They're eager to please and forgiving of ama- teur training mistakes. ENGLISH POINTER These wide-ranging ENGLISH SETTER Do you want a dog that can also guard the house? Yes The English setter is the iconic dog of the north- ern grouse woods. A strong nose anda ten- dency to hunt close make this breed a great choice for the heavy cover. hunters have intense Are you secure in your manhood? Yes No focus, prey drive, and style. Their short, slick coat makes them ideal for the hot, bur-filled territory where quail live. Yes No STANDARD GOLDEN GERMAN SHORT- SPRINGER SPANIEL POODLE RETRIEVER HAIRED POINTER With tons of energy to The mild-tempered golden re- triever might lick a home intruder to death. But the breed is an all- Yes, the standard poodle A popular bird dog, the GSP is a bit easier to train kick up pheasants, spring- ers also have an excellent was bred to be a retriever than an English pointer, with a medium range, andis known for its intelli- gence. Lately the breed has made a comeback in the field and blind. Fancy around hunting dog and a quick study. A delight in the blind and around children, they're capable upland hunters as well. sniffer. They're decent retrievers, too, and their love of water makes them a fine duck dog which means he won't head for the next county in search of quail. hair clips not necessary 80 FIELD & STREAM OCTOBER 2010 Illustration by MIKE SUDAL FIELDANDSTREAM. COM 81