the finished strike dog

I agree with what most are saying here to varying degrees.

I think a bette statement to be made is that you really can't tell if a dog is truly a finished dog until they are 4+ in my mind. because a dog could very well continue learning until they are 5+, so their max potential wouldn't be reached. I think if want a truly finished dog they will be an older dog. I think you will have truly finished dogs only after 2yrs. I think anything before that is just a well started vey promising prospect. I think being polished is a combination of ability AND time in the woods. not enough of one or the other and the dog isn't polished...