Hard to beat a small lab especially a pointing lab. Tough enough to take any conditions and if you get a well bred dog their intellegence makes them easy to train, Even a first time trainer can do very well with the correct program spelled out in many great books that are readilly available. Oh yea, Ive spent many an hour removing burs and dingel berrys from long haired dogs, and seen the thinner skinned dogs undersides and genetals bright red from a wkend of tough hunting. I have operated a guide service in SD for apx 15 years now and have made many dog misteaks. Soagain its hard to beat a pointing lab, IMHO.