RUFNECK
Clarification please. I thought the Brittany descended fromthe spaniel like the English, Gordon, and Irish (including Reds) setters. Setters were develop to 'set' when finding birds so they could use nets. Versitiles were developed because they where the jack-of-all-trades forthe single non-gentry owner. Don't know the history of the Brittany and too lazy to find out.

Speaking generalities, I would sugget obby1 still refrain from running a pointer with a flusher unless he's willing to make sure the flusher will honor point. I also experience that with my young setter. Bad idea.

If he has to get a pointer type then I would suggest aenglish pointer or wide ranging setter - thinking open fields here. A GSP/Brit will do if it runs big at least bigger than your lab. (But then you already have a retriever so why go versitile?) I'm saying this because the dogs won't be hunting the same area at the same time. Pointer can find birds further out and the lab can pick up strays the pointer missed. I would also suggest a broke dog. A puppy is going to build bad habits if the lab doesn't honor. Then you will have a dog that flushes too far in front.

Ifhe does go versitile and your lab doesn't honor, then you will eventually end up with another lab in versitile clothing but won't be able to mark as well.