I believe the best " General Purpose" dog you can have is a Lab. I hunt everything.. And when it comes to birds my Labs have always come through! Doves, pheasant, it doesn't really matter. And for a family dog. There ain't nothin better. You would not be disapointed with a lab pup.! As far as mean as a Rattlesnake.... You must be talking about Chesapeake's! IMHO...