Flushers/retrievers vs pointers and "versatiles"

Since this is such a hot topic on force fetch thread, let's start its own thread instead of ruining others. Here we go. Which breed is the most versatile bird dog?

Love the picture DLAMA...

Wife wanted a Weim and I wanted a Chessy........we both got what we wanted and I hunt them both upland birds...grouse and pheasants. Nice thing about hunting with both of them is that once in a while I drop a bird out in the marsh and sometimes I do not know how deep it is. The Chessy comes in very handy. Not much of a fowl hunter.

I am a Springer guy too. I have had a number of them and hunt only grouse and woodcock the last 15 years or so. Just a couple times on pheasants. I like their personality both in the field and at home as well as the good nose and endurance they have. Awesome dogs.

I'm with Hawkeye and the AWS. Nice dual purpose dog (upland and waterfowl). Still very rare so they tend to have less health issues. IMO, they are better suited to hunting waterfowl in the northern states vs. the Boykin because the AWS has a double coat similar to a Chessie. Handle cold water better than a Boykin - which is one of the reasons Boykins are more popular in the south. Biggest issue is they are burr magnets!

Somebody asked me once what is my favorite dog and I said "A GOOD one!!!" Agreed...And life is too short to hunt behind a bad one ;) For what I like to do, nothing beats a setter or pointer. They are versatile enough for me. JMO

I have many dogs:Labs,Shorthairs,GWP,Small Munsterlander,Bavarian Mountain sent hound,English Setters,Treeing walker coonhounds,Beagles,Great Dane,Jackrat,They are all good dogs. They all have talents that have been bred into them. I like to do many different things with my dogs, and a lab is not a coondog! My point is get a dog that will enjoy doing the things you like to do. Somebody asked me once what is my favorite dog and I said "A GOOD one!!!"

by the way hawkeye that american water spaniel is a nice looking dog. i've been looking to get another dog to accompany my lab and have been looking at a lot of the spaniel breeds

i like all bird dogs and am not into the "competition" people create between breeds and which is the best. get what fits your lifestyle the best and makes you happy.

Been watching this thread. Really thought there would be more by now. I think 1fowl said it best. There is no one breed that will be the best at it all. Could teach my Plotts to flush birds, but not bird dogs. You could teach a Lab to chase bear,but not bear dogs. It all comes down to what you hunt, and where you hunt it. Then comes down to personal preference. to the breed that fits your most common scenario. In the end enjoy as much time in the field with whatever works for you!!! You got to feed it not me!!

Justdriftn.. seeing how u dont like labs or American water spaniel. What is your dog of choice?