I've had the extreme pleasure of hunting over a couple tremendous Dixieland bloodline GSPs. They didn't make me a better shot, but they sure found quail (and dead dove/deer). Neither were plodders and we always covered tons of ground. They never hesitate to stuff their face in a cactus and both have survived snakebites. I have no problem letting my one year old pull on their ears (but I won't let him near the red heeler.)
