MarkinGA,

You could do a lot worse than a Labrador Retriever, for what you want. Great family dogs, easy to train, and make great hunters.

Here's my female yellow lab, Dolly, as a little pup. She has grown into a well-mannered companion, loves people, and is a great upland bird hunter.

[Linked Image]

I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....