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In talking with multiple breeders when I as in the market for a pup, it seemed like then there were only about 1500 PPs being born per year. Lots of dedicated PP owners and more folks learning about the breed drives up demand. I'm a fan

My worst offenders for getting stuck/sprayed have been my setters. They hold the individual and group records for both issues. The one never attacked a skunk but he was sprayed 4 times in one fall as he could not stay away from them. My current oldest setter has been stuck 4 times by porkies, and I doubt he is done even though he is 15 years old.


I would have never guess setters would be a problem.... of all the breeds... I would figure Griffs and GSP would be the worst...

I figure the setters are more of a problem than my Continental breeds due to them running bigger. This allows them the opportunity to run across these critters more. My setters often seem to be pretty sharp on vermin, I figure they learned it from the wirehairs. My oldest setter was a holy terror on raccoons his first several years until he broke a leg and lost a step or two.

He could still hold his own in a fight, my last wirehair went into a rage and attacked the setter. Despite a 20+ pound advantage, the setter put the wirehair on the ground and my wife thought the wirehair was a goner. It was 42 staples to patch a skin tear in the setter and 34 for the wirehair but the wirehair was the worse off. One more similar fight a couple years later and the wirehair was history.

The Pointer was another one...

A Frence Brittany would fit your requirements very well.

As to a specific breeder or finding and selecting one. I would personally never limit myself to a geographical location! I would be looking for known bloodlines from known breeders. These breeders all have waits, for a few reasons. One is they are known to be responsible breeders with great bloodlines. Two they have put out great dogs over time. Three they have built a following from discriminating hunters. Four they are not mass breeding. Sometimes you can get a pup from them that for whatever reason someone backed out on or that the pups maybe didn't fit the sex or color the deposits were looking for.

Good luck in your search

Don't overlook GSP's either.

Would be another great fit for sure. Provided it isn't a long legged GSP.

Ya, no kidding.... I'm 56 y/o.... a long legged GSP would be a rodeo....

I need a dog that can sit on the front seat of the truck that is small enough that he won't get nose snot marks all over the inside of the windshield.... So I got to keep the size down.... Springer, Pudlepointer size dog....

Long legged means the dog runs big or ranges far.

My puddle pointer is 60# and not short. I don't mind the size, but he seems bigger than what I would think a Springer would be.

French Brit, English Cocker, Springer...all fit nicely on the front seat.... However, the facts are....if he/she is going to be riding in the front seat..which is about the least safe place for a Dog one cares about....then there is going to be hair everywhere.... nose snot on the side windows, dash, center console and seats. Seat covers are almost mandatory in this situation.....then there is mud....and since most good Bird Dogs like to roll in anything smelly there are other issues.

Looks cool to be riding around with your Dog in the front.....however the best place for all is the back seat at minimum....and a kennel is best....Mud River is your friend for traveling with hunting Dogs....