I have been looking for a Bird/Rabbit/family dog for a few months now... I decided to go with a GSP. I don't get her till jan/feb tho . They are suposed to be great with people, great hunters, but they are very energetic!

I have heard great things about Wirehairs and DD's, a bit less energy around the house than the gsp but die-hard hunters. I was told by a guy that breeds a few different types of bird dogs that Wirehairs only warm up to a few different people and they "aren't very social dogs"? I heard the same thing about Chessies... that they don't warm up to too many people? I guess uplandchessies would know more about that tho?

I have a golden that loves to rabbit hunt, she has a great nose for it but it's a pain to clean here up afterwards. I can't imagine leaving a golden outside tho? They seem to be pretty dependant on the company of people.

I think everyone else may be right... I see a Lab in your future. Good with family, not too high strung and great with kids.

Good luck!