I grew up with several breeds. I like shorthairs the best. It is amazing how strong peoples convictions are regarding hunting dog breeds.
I think pointers overall may have better noses, but are much harder headed.
I hear some say GSP may not have as good of a nose. This may or may not be. I have had some that were phenomenal- possibly luck?
But, I do not think there is a breed that wants to please an owner more than GSP. For me the easiest to train. But I love spending time with them.
Labs can be very loyal dogs as well, but I worry about their stamina a little more than some of the other breeds- they are just a bigger, blockier shaped dog. Some worry about their noses being not as good as pointer breeds.
I'm not big on the spaniels coats getting burs caught in them all the time. Being honest, I am not convinced they are as tough on the whole.
You can have nuts in any breed. Have seen absolutely crazy Labs, Brit Spaniels, Pointers and Shorthairs.
Good hunting dogs can also make good pets. You and they are better off when they are well bonded to you. Kids won't ruin them either. If you've owned one before, this goes without saying. If not, I'll mention that all of them need time and room to run. And protect them from themselves- they will chew up anything!
Overall, like cattle breed discussions here- there are good and bad individuals in each breed and making a decision only on breed may not pan out well.
This is my baby- during our trip to Kansas last year. Around a year of age.
She and I limited out on public land in less than an hour. That was fun!
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