RE: Bird Dogs and Retrievers
All we really know in regards to how the various breeds were developed is what we read or what someone tells us. Who really knows what dogwas bred to who "out behind the barn"? I've heard a lot of what Dale is saying many times in regards to various breeds being bred to other breeds (such as German Shorthairs being crossed with Pointers). I've heard that some of our Field-Bred Springer lines were crossed with Llwellin Setters in Great Britain years ago to "give them more leg and improve their noses". Is this true? I have no idea. It really doesn't matter to me..... I think it all adds a little mystique to the history of the various breeds.
In regards to retrievers and bird dogs, most breeds are somewhat of a comprimise but most of us cannot own several different breeds to meet the specific needs of the different game we hunt. So, sometimes we sacrifice a little on the retrieving end for a nice point, and vice versa.