Sproulman,

I appreciate the advice. I guess I should have said that I am familiar with many hunting dog characteristics since I have had a number. My last one was a very special Irish Setter. He was a good bird dog and loved the water but, as a watch dog........he would hold the flashlight for a burglar.

My real difficulty is not so much picking out a hunting dog for birds, but picking out a hunting dog which is protective and will find those downed deer during archery season. That, is what makes this a problem. Finding a hunting dog or a watch dog or a tracker is not hard. I looking for the dog that can do all of it. A gordian knot for sure.