Best bird dog? All the B.S, aside...there is no " Best Bird Dog" . It all boils down to personal preference, type of hunting, terrain and a myriad of other variables. While I am a Lab man and mainly hunt waterfowl, you may be a quail hunter or a grouse hunter and may prefer a different breed. Different strokes for different folks really sums it up. I think we should quit arguing and agree that any certain breed has its strong points in specific situations and also agree that there may be a different breed more suited to a different task. To debate the " Best bird dog" is a loosing proposition.