My best dog for Pheasant and Grouse is a black labrador retriever who is currently 16 yrs old and still hunting but getting slooow.
He has been kenneled outside all his life and sleeps in an insulated box attached to a building.
I live in Ontario,Canada and it gets cold enough out here.
He has never been sick and just flushed birds(robins,field birds, etc. naturally when he was a pup. I would say my vote is for a Black Lab with bird dog genetics(pheasant hunting background).My other choice is a Springer Spaniel or a Golden Retriever. This dogs are adapted to cold weather. There are some Labs that points also. I found that out unexpectedly with my NEW dog.
Good luck on your quest.
Last edited by huntrfishr; 10-23-2009 at 06:40 PM.