I've had 2 seperate breeds German Shorthair Pointers and Black Labrador. My 1st GSP i bought and trained in Germany while in the Army. Was the 1st American to pass a hunting dog of any breed. My GSP's would kill every coon,possum,skunk,fox,coyote,or anything else i told him to get. Real GSP's from Europe aren't these little 55 to 65 lb males you seeing the states. Mine on a normal weight and off season was 120#. On ducks he'd dive under when the duck did and come up with it 5 to 20 yards away. A loyal well trained GSP will out hunt any breed dog as a all purpose hunting dog hands down. Seen every breed under the sun and hunted with most also. But a GSP will score on average a level 98 to 99 out of a hundred on all the different tests for the all purpose hunting trials. There isn't a breed real close to their marks. The 2nd breed is GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER with and average 92 to 93. Now I know this because I am a licensed NAVDA judge and have seen all breeds work. Now a specialty breed dog say duck hunting only. A Black Lab has my vote but only because I've trained and owned 4 different ones. The biggest thing for any dog is TRAINING!!! They don't learn obedience or hunting experience living in a kennel 24/7. But get any dog that will fit your needs and train it. Then you'll have a GREAT HUNTING EXPERIENCE and A good Family dog. Thats how you build memories and make your life a little easier in the field. Because we all know there isn't a better day in the field than watching a well trained dog work. But on the other side the worst memory you might have is hunting with an untrained crazy running hunting dog kicking up your birds 3 blocks ahead of the hunters
While the owner is blowing out your ears with a whistle and screaming across the field. LOL HAPPY HUNTING EVERYONE