I would also agree with a German versatile. I have a Pudelpointer (the original German versatile dog:-). I have filled my freezer along with a number of family members' with grouse, woodcock, snowshoe hare, ducks and canada geese. I have also received about 10 calls from people asking me to help them find deer they wounded either the same day or up to 2 days prior. The dog tracked the blood to every deer except one. The one exception was a very poor shot. The dog tracked the blood; most of the time being one drop every 50-100 yards for 2 miles; only to find a gut pile where another hunter had obviously finished and taken the deer.

I think it boils down to how you want to interact with your dog while you hunt; but if you're looking for a dog that will point, retreive, track; there is no substitute for a german dog. They have been doing this for hundreds of years not only because they love it; but also because they must.