I will and do look at it from a trainers point of veiw, first thing is the guy is green on dogs.....so most all retrievers not much, or as much training needed, just lil common sense. I know for a fact the retrievers are able to do it all, have shot various types of birds over my personal dogs, and have clients that will also agree. The training part of doing a pointing breed dog, on someone that has not got an idea, makes it alot harder....for them. The books and videos dont tell you when or why to stop the session, or how to fix, when you didnt stop. Am not pushing retrievers in anyway, but for the instance, should be a better dog, cause he can go hunt. Pointers are my favorite, along with a nice setter. I feel a retriever would save him alot of headaches in the long run....this is only an opinion, and not wanting or trying to offend anyone, in any way......all dogs are great, if you know what your doing. Go and watch the other forums, and see what I explain.....the usual booger with the retriever is the retrieve, because they got in to big a hurry for the retrieved item, or overdoing it, the rest is possibly gunshy, or and or birdshy....because they got in to big a hurry. This is just a trainers point of view. This topic could be very interesting to see where it goes. Cya, Jonesy