I had a shorthair that i hunted hard for about 9 years. That, and taking grounders id hit with a tennis ball were all that dog cared about in life. I personally think certain hard chargin bird hunting breeds live to hunt and itd be a disservice to not take them several times a year. Had a lab and now a lab/springer mix. Both are more affectionate than that shorthair was. The mix loves to hunt, but i can definitely tel the difference in drive/ability from the shorthair. I havent met any labs that blow my mind finding LIVE birds either, the springer in this one makes her more fun i think when she gets birdy she lives up to the “springer” name. But man are labs friendly and they definitely suffice to kick a few birds up.

Tough to beat an English Lab.

Moosetrot

English Lab

He’s not a huntin dog but he loves his dad!

That’s the most important thing for the rest is just a bonus.

I have German Wirehair’s a old male 13 and a pup 2 both are hard hunters as well as good and indoor pets, these are my second and third Wirehair’s and all 3 have been excellent companions and hunters, except my first had a thing for porcupines and just couldn’t leave them alone, except for that she was a top notch dog

Over the years I have had Irish setters, Gordon setters, Walker hounds, American water Spaniels and many others of pure and mixed blood and all have been good dogs some better hunters then others but all have been eager to please

I think a large part of having a good dog rests a large part

on the owner

But you can’t go wrong on a wirehair in my opinion