I think you are missing my point, or my post was confusing. The dog was unlucky enough to end up in the pound at around 4 months old, after being found running loose. I don't know anything more about his background, other than he was there from November until I bailed him out a couple of weeks ago. What I was trying to ask was whether there is any fairly simple way of assessing his natural ability as a bird dog, not whether I could enter him for any kind of formal testing. I want to ascertain whether he will be better off as a gun dog or a search dog like the rest of mine; like you I believe most dogs are happiest doing what they were bred for, but obviously if he won't hunt this would not be the case.

As for neutering, I am legally obliged to have him fixed and would do it anyway if this wasn't the case. I don't see the point in saving one dog only to add to the problem, and since I know nothing of his background it would not benefit the breed. His surgery is already scheduled for next week.