My stepson has 3 English Pointers that he hunts with, and they do a fantastic job. But, they are large, very energetic, and need lots of room and exercise.
I have 2 huge black labs, but they aren't very good hunters. They like to romp and play too much, then sleep the rest of the day.
And I have a large German Dachshund who is courageous to the point of stupidity. He will tackle anything, no matter what size. He has assaulted bears (and run them off, believe it or not), wild hogs, several would-be burglars, cattle, horses, and Pit Bulls...and he is miraculously still alive (albeit with many stitches, and a permanent pass to the Animal Clinic. He gets frequent flyer miles now). He is excellent at running game, and he will retrieve....he just won't hand it over. He flushes birds, runs hogs, trees coons, squirrels, and if there is any skunk within a mile or two of me, he will find it. My wife keeps several cans of tomato juice handy just for such an occasion (the only thing that removes the smell from your skin). He will even jump out of the canoe to take on snapping turtles in their own environment (like I said, all cojones and no brains).
For birds (and your own piece of mind), I would recommend the Pointers.......
Bruno....still crazy after all these years
Attachment 5982
Blackie and Trixie....bringing laziness to a science
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...orVideo011.jpg
Storm....my best hunter, and a birds worst nightmare
Attachment 5983