“Honesty is the best policy.” It’s a common phrase that’s been uttered through the decades to guide our moral compass when navigating difficult decisions. These words are never more true than when considering your next hunting partner of the four-legged kind. To be more specific, honesty with yourself and your situation is a tremendous first step in the right direction when pondering your next gun dog. I’m of the opinion, a strong opinion, that you owe it to them to ensure they’re able to wiggle their way into your fabric and alter the course of your life in ways you never imagined.
A good ol’ bird dog will lead you to faraway places, be the catalyst for epic adventures, provide the spark for memories you’ll tell the rest of your life, generate smiles in the darkest moments, and fill your soul with warmth on life’s bitter cold days. A retired trainer and upland guide once told me, “If you’re really fortunate, a good dog will be with you for 10 hunting seasons. Anything else is gravy on top.” I’ve found his wisdom has held true over the years–they shine bright but only for a brief time.
All these years spent chasing my dogs across the landscapes of this vast country, my advice is another common expression...fools rush in. So, please take your time and be honest with yourself when considering your hunting partner for the next decade or more, should you be so fortunate. I’ll give a few things to ponder as you do your homework and narrow in on what I’m hopeful will become a good ol’ bird dog and forever change the course of your life.
Consider Your Situation
The first step is a doozy. It will set the course and go a long way to ensuring a lifetime of fond memories for both you and your bird dog. Take a step back and truly consider your situation by asking some key questions and answering honestly. I’ll assume you understand the cost of a dog is just the beginning and you’ve appropriately considered the financial implications of food, a few replacement items that don’t make it through the puppy phase, vet bills, travel crates, training supplies, gear, etc. I’ll move on to aspects of this journey that may not be top of mind, especially for first-time bird dog owners or potentially those looking into a new breed.
How much space do you have in your home? Larger breeds grow to be full-sized versions of those cute little pups. How big is your yard? Puppies are rambunctious, need lots of playtime, and use the bathroom multiple times a day. Bird dogs follow their noses. How will you keep them safe and contained in your yard? Do your days have extra time for training, exercise, and free run sessions? Do you enjoy fur?
While certainly not an inclusive list of ponderings, my desire is to invoke pause and spark consideration of various aspects the days, weeks, and years ahead will bring with a new furry member in the home. A puppy will change your life. Ensure it’s for the best by thinking beyond the excitement and genuinely contemplating numerous aspects of this important decision to help guide your research.
What’s your style?
You can take another leap to begin narrowing the field of search down by determining whether you fall into the flushing camp or prefer a pointing breed. While there is certainly overlap in the field between flushing and pointing breeds, I contend there are areas in which each will undoubtedly excel over the other. I’ll refer back to the opening statement: Be honest with yourself and what you’ll expect out of your hunting partner.
Are you going to spend the majority of field time in ultra-thick cover in pursuit of running ringnecks, or will you be expecting your dog to cover vast expanses of open country working to pin down prairie grouse? While either style could work, I’ve witnessed with my own eyes that certain styles will shine.
Flushing breeds bring an exuberant energy to the field with an animation that’s simply unmatched. You want to see a dog’s entire body smile? Watch a field-bred flushing dog do what it was born to do. The meticulous nature by which they attack cover with a certain no-stone-left-unturned mentality is quite the spectacle. Go the flushing dog route and you’ll see pure joy coated in fur, pounding the uplands, driven by a desire to produce game and bring it back to you for praise. Not a bad hunting partner in my book.
A pointing breed, on the other hand, burning up the prairie and slamming into a rock-solid point, is a sight to behold. It’s been my experience that these highly driven performance machines bring a scorched-earth purpose to the field. They cover ground almost effortlessly while efficiently processing scent through powerful noses. Intensity, drive, and focus put upland species at a disadvantage when their keen noses are downwind–a powerful ally to have in the field, as well.
What’s your breed?
Once you’ve settled on your preferred style of bird-finding pursuit, it’s time to consider the breed you’ll depend upon for years of upland inspiration in the field. Here is where things can begin to feel a bit overwhelming, but if you’ll stay the course, be honest with yourself, and put forth the effort, you’ll be able to sharpen the pencil and determine the best breed(s) for your needs.
Variety is the spice of life, to leverage yet another clever phrase, and that certainly applies to bird dogs. This is where things get truly interesting for me, as I am fascinated by all the different breeds, their history, strengths, weaknesses, coats, confirmation, etc. It’s that incredible diversity that allows each of us to find a hunting partner that best meets our unique and individual needs. Embrace the process by digging into a breed’s past and gain perspective into what drove the desired traits and characteristics in the first place. You’ll have a deeper understanding of the breed’s foundation which will aid in a more informed decision in the end.
Upon identifying a breed or two of interest, I strongly recommend exploring all opportunities to gain a much deeper and more hands-on perspective at breed club activities, testing events, training seminars, or similar. I’ve found that the folks who congregate at these types of events are kindred spirits who share a sincere passion for their dogs and the activities they share with them in the field. They’re extremely welcoming and willing to provide a level of insight you simply won’t get by surfing the web. Don’t be surprised if you start researching different bloodlines and even find yourself dabbling into hunt tests and training events down the road.
Who’s your breeder?
An old-timer once told me when I was picking his brain on a potential pup, “The best advice I can give ya is to look for breeders that hunt like you. They’re the most likely to have dogs that will best meet your needs.” That’s a common sense nugget that has served me well over the years and led me to a breeder that’s resulted in a couple of members of my pack who have far exceeded expectations.
Having said that, when reaching out to breeders, it should be a two-way street. Simply put, you should have meaningful questions about their breeding practices, bloodlines, history, and expectations, and expect a similar level of questioning from a quality breeder. I will also contend that my original statement holds just as true here, as well. Honesty is the best policy. Good breeders don’t have perfect dogs. They are open about aspects they’re trying to improve and strengths in their lines, but also opportunities to better those lines. If you’re open with them, they may very well recommend a certain litter over another for your unique needs and desires...and that’s a good thing.
In the end, you’ll get out of a bird dog what you put into a bird dog, and that starts well before that bird dog is even born. Enjoy the process of picking a puppy, the pursuit of happiness may very well be covered in fur with a wagging tail.
Published in Western Hunter Magazine - March 2025