Message #37753

[Bryant]

Welcome to the board, Jonathan.

If there was a perfect specific breed of dog for the tasks you describe, that's what we all would own.

Ask anyone what the best breed of dog is, and they will reply with whats sitting outside in their respective kennels.  What's more important than specific breed (or specific cross), is specific bloodline.  There is good, bad, horrible and excellent within each breed or cross.

If I were just starting out, I would do one of two things.

1)  If you know someone who has dogs and you like the dogs style of hunting, try and get some pups from them and mimic their training and handling methods as much as possible.

2)  If you don't know anyone that hunts and don't have access to see dogs in action, then pick a breed then start your research.  Ask around and find out who has dogs of that particular breed that hunt like you desire.  When you find them, see if they ever have any pups for sale.

The best piece of advice is to ask lots of questions, and keep an open mind about what you want and like until you have seen different means and methods first hand.