Field bred English springer spainiel
I vote for the field-bred English springer spaniel. I have a photo of one posted in another thread in this hunting area.
Here is my completely biased opinion.
German short-haired pointers are brutally effective. They are like the Terminator. They work, but they don't do it with much style. The Germans made them so utilitarian that they don't have much of a personality either. Some are even sour krauts
If you want a family dog, this is not the best choice. However, they can be kenneled outside with another dog and be perfectly happy.
Labs. These are great dual-purpose dogs. If you duck hunt and pheasant hunt, this is the way to go. Watch out, however, as labs can get too big and fat easily. This is not a big deal in the water as they will float better, but if you want to hunt long and hard in the warm weather of the early season or plow through snow, a lab that is not in peak condition will fade fast. Fatty will be spending time in the truck instead of hunting. Find a lean, smaller lab variety and you will be happy.
Brittany. Wonderful -- if you like pointers. These are near tops for pheasants and a nice dogs to have around the house and kids. Their main weakness is old roosters who know the run-and-dodge game. You will end up having multiple points before you get close to a bird -- if at all.
Field bred English springer spaniel. The Top Dog for pheasants. These are not like the fringe-covered show dogs that would be a burr magnet. Field springers are mostly white and are built a little bit more like a Brittany. Mine is liver and white with three big brown spots and some smaller spots. Field springers have a longer body to make them more efficient, but they still have a deep chest. You must keep them close while hunting. I use an Innotek shock collar and soft whistle and whoa commands. If you keep the dog within 20 yards, every bird in that zig-zag radius will be in the air or in the dog's jaws.
If my field springer is on a pheasant, his docked tail and whole rear end will start to shake. He will then start bouncing up and down and then pounce at the bird. This is so fun to watch, that you must remember to shoot! Springers are so affectionate that they are almost at fault. Do not kennel them outside or they will go nuts. Mine sleeps on a pull-out doggie bed next to our bed. During the day, it just slides underneath on the hardwood floor out of the way.
English pointers are the norm in the South for quail. I think they are average on Midwest pheasants.
Most of the hunting ability has been bred out of golden retrievers and Irish setters. Pass on both. English setters are good for grouse and woodcock.
Feel free to disagree and post pics
