I Only use labs now ! They don't 100% need deer hunting in their lines , take them out and the dog will learn what you want it to do and not do - you just show it what you want . The breed I prefer now started retrieving lost fishing gear in frozen sea , yet also the favoured choice in just about anything and a burning desire to help in most tasks . Downsides ? If they cant eat it they want to f*** it !
I take pups from the best working Gun Dog kennels / breeders and must come from shooting lines , I don't need birds picking but i need a good nose and drive
Previous i had a GWP , never ever again ! IMHO they swing from dangerous killers to dopy kids