99% of a dogs life will be NOT hunting. All those pointing breeds while better hunters marginally than a lab, maybe. frankly suck as family dogs. They are too high strung and just too wiggy. Buddy had a puddle pointer and it’s a total pos of a dog that he wasted $2500 buying. Hunted over all of em, Brittany’s, gsp’s etc at the pheasant farms. Give me my black lab that points all day long and twice on sundays over those bread for only hunting dogs.
I also feel the rage right now of adding poodle to the bread is very unwise. It creates a dog that is far less predictable in its temperament and intended purpose. Basically more likely than not you end up with a mut that is worthless.
Keep it simple just get a frikken Labrador!
The pudel was added to the pudelpointer a long time ago...
I like mine. He does okay in the field and great in/around the house. Best pet I've ever had.
To the OP, I think it all depends on what type/style of hunting you want to do most. First thing I would do as you are looking into breeds/litters is start research locations and sources of birds for training. All breeds will need that! My dog is 8 so I am doing a bit of thinking about the next one. I have an affinity for dogs with beards so am leaning hard towards another pudelpointer, a drathaar or wirehaired pointing griffon.
