help choice a bird dog

All breeds are good, and have their general traits as well as exceptions to the general. This question often brings out a hotly contested debate about which breed is best.... With everyone of course sure that their breed is the best.

More important than the breed choice is the actual breeding. Research your potential breeders carefully. See who is actively proving their dogs in competitions, which since you are talking about a hunting dog means field trials or hunt tests.

If looking at a dog with hunt test titles, I would at a minimum expect to see a Senior title, preferably a Master title. The Junior title means little in a dog of breeding age.

If looking at dogs that compete in field trials. Look for dogs that are having sucess in whatever venue they are competing in. There are many different types of trials, and like the individual breed,,,,most are sure that their choice is the best.

Another very important factor to consider is production. Some dogs with great pedigrees for whatever reason simply don't produce good pups. So take a close look at what the offspring has done in the past.

When comparing dogs it is important to do apples to apples comparisons. For example; Dog A might have some AKC placements or even points towards it's championship. But only be 2 years old. Dog B might have a more impressive record, perhaps having a field champion title, and is much older. Another factor in this would be the individual dogs exposure to competition. There are some people who are in a position to travel the country a lot going to trials. These dogs will have many more opportunties and thus should have more impressive record.

Look carefully at breeders who own both the sire and the dam. If this is part of a well thought out breeding program, then it could be a good thing. Often it is not though as it is the most profitable way to produce puppies.

The last thing to consider in all of this is timing. Americans have become used to getting whatever they want whenever they want it.
Great breedings aren't like that. If you see what you want, get it now! This one thing is more important than any other factor. Although there are always pups available, Great breedings are far and few.

Good luck in your search!