I have to agree that the AKC has ruined a lot of breeds! Such as the Irish,
but, on the same note there is some that work very hard at restoring these breeds back. Myself if a dog likes water, he likes water if he doesn't
he doesn't. It's more of an individual personality in the dog and not so much the breed. Then again I could have a dog from a litter that is champion this and champion that. It doesn't that its pups are champions.
How ever the chances are better for them to be! I know all about the Irish I hunt with them and love it! For as far as cost go its what you want cheap is great buit doesn't mean the dog is or that the dog is bad either!
It's what you want it for.
For as far as the bird trials I've only walked through three braces last year and they were a great group of guys.They offerd me ideas on training and didn't care what breed my dogs are.( only three braces as I had
to go to a friends funeral that am. who died on the job ) So I went for the afternoon trials ( National Grouse and Woodcock Trails on the Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge ) yes they told the Irish Setter is against the grain sort thing. But it didn't bother them and thought it was great to have some new interest.They all invited me back but unforunatly I had to work the next day. Anyways the setters I run are AKC with field champions in them and not all AKC setters are great dogs.But, the main thing is I like them nothing else matters. For as far as cost goes most probaly wouldn't pay the price of the airfair for a good dog but it's what I wanted that counted.