hey i agree, no offense. pointers are pointers and retrievers are retreivers. pick your dog for what you like and what your going to hunt. training can be overcome. i'm a shorthair man and hunt a broad variety of birds over my dogs, from quail.pheasant.woodcock.grouse, huns and even dove hunt over my dogs. like i say pick a dog you like if you don't you won't be satisfied. dogs are an major investment of time and money.