I really want a close-working, tight-sticking, "cold" dog not hot runner, FLUSHER, that loves water retrieves too. My Britt was most of that (or I trained her to be) except as a pointer.
Is there such a thing in Springers?
Absolutely. You already know that the one thing a FD "MUST DO", is to hunt within gun range all the time. Most ESS take to water retrieves very readily.
I have seen ESS who were "too much dog" ie hunted too wide and too far ahead. A DISASTER esp for an amateur trainer.
Two ESS breeder/trainers in your neck of the woods are:
Tom Ness at Oahe Knls and Dan Murray at Absolute Gun Dogs.
If those guys dont have what you are looking for, they will know who does. Both guys have FBECS also and explain/ show you the differences. A little smaller and better suited in the grouse woods IMHO.
