the best i can tell ya is " listen with ya eyes cause ya ears will lie to ya " .... it seems i read that somwhere
That is some of the best advise I ever got jdt.. lol
Breed preferance is one thing but probably more important is the man you get your pup or dog from..Other than some pure luck or raising your own for in some cases years and years, Many of the folks I know the best dog they ever got from someone else was given to them not bought. Don't just buy off on or let someone tell you what you want to hear or get sucked up on something that is just simply to good to be true. Go, hunt with em, several times.. In fact go hunt with as many different dogs and people as you can befor you take the leap would be my advise. A good mentor in your area that hunts and raises dogs can be a real asset to you so you might consider that.
Good luck to ya...