best all around SPORTING dog is SMALL LONG LEGGED LAB.only because they can do it ALL.then throw in the around house and they are equal with all dogs,great at home and DONT SHED TOO MUCH.
GSP is real close because they can retrieve IN WATER but they POINT.lab FLUSHES BY NATURE BUT CAN point ALSO nature or not.
gsp IS NOT flusher, I GUESS YOU COULD MAKE ONE THAT, DONT KNOW.flusher is a must if you are hunting wild pheasants or tame ones after awhile.they will RUN.
but for birds,wild birds i like the LEWELLIN SETTER.only because they are SMALL.i like small dogs in woods of pa but what do i know, I AM ONLY ONE USING LAB ON GROUSE?

if i wanted to KILL more grouse,ONLY OWN 1 dog IT WOULD BE GSP because they can go in water.if i wanted a 2 dog ,it would be LAB/SETTER..
but KILLING MORE GROUSE is not great thing for me so i like the LAB.i like idea i can go in river swimming with my lab every other day in heat.

only flaw in the LAB is heavy coat,its great in cold water but is a problem in heat in early oct hunting pheasants/grouse.if toby would not look bad or someone give sproul heck, i would shave toby in early oct.

THEN I WOULD HAVE HUNTING MACHINE, FOR SURE.