Originally Posted by
Big Bullets
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.
I think any of the continental breeds would work really well for you. Having this level of versatility in their breeds is something they've been working on for over a century. Many are readily available here in North America. Breeds that I would be looking at are:
Deutsche Drahthaars
Pudelpointers
Deutchse Kurzhaars
Weimeraner
Stichelhaar
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Bracco Italiano
and the list goes on. The DD has a huge presence here in North America and would be the first place I would go to, especially if you're looking for a dog that could double as a watchdog/guarddog. The group responsible for this breed in the US is the VDD/GNA (
www.vdd-gna.org) This would be a great place to start.
Good luck