http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/gun-dogs/2014/03/soul-dog-best-breeds-your-hunting-style

Perfect Hunting Dog: The Best Breed for Your Hunting Style

The bond between man and dog forms strongest when you and your furry partner share interests. Here are types of hunters and the breeds that fit them. Generalizations help, but to predict a pup’s personality, meet its parents.

Part-Time Upland Hunter

You hunt grouse during an all too brief season. You want a hunter in the fall and a family dog the rest of the year.

Dog: English setter Teach them to come when called and to stop when you say “whoa” and they’ll do the rest. They’re also loving and lovable.

Year-Round Hunter

Birds, rabbits, coons, waterfowl, and deer—is there anything you don’t hunt?

Dog: Drathaar The pure German variety of the wirehair has an all-weather coat and mind-boggling tracking ability. Drathaars can be aggressive around strangers.

Hardcore Waterfowler

You will hunt anything with webbed feet anywhere.

Dog: Chesapeake Bay retriever Hardy enough to fetch divers in big water and nasty weather, they have a reputation as mean dogs, but it’s undeserved. They’re merely protective of their owners.

Duck and Pheasant Hunter

You hit ponds for ducks, then switch to pheasants.

Dog: Labrador retriever America’s gun dog: affectionate, trainable, loves to hunt on land and water. Be careful where you shop to avoid hereditary health problems.

Apartment-Dwelling Hunter

A small space needs an efficiency-size hunting companion.

Dog: Cocker spaniel You have to search to find a hunting cocker, but it’s worth it if you want a 25-pound flushing dog. Cockers are athletic, easy to train, and eager to please.