When it comes to good grouse dogs, a nose keen enough to scent the spooky birds without bumping them is the number-one requirement. There isn’t a more regal-looking dog than an English setter and no more classic scene than the heavily feathered dog on point in the grouse woods. Their retrieving instinct is stronger than pointing breeds – a boon when a winged rooster makes a run for it. Smaller in size than either a Lab or GSP, springers have no problem covering ground on the hunt thanks to their abundant energy level. Springers can course an upland field – be it corn, CRP or cattails – and put birds up with the best of any breed (they also do a fine job in the waterfowl realm).
So, I’m going with the English springer spaniel. But, because of the run-and-gun nature of pheasants (not to mention the tricks an experienced rooster can pull), and the fact that unlike quail you can’t shoot hens, I prefer a flushing dog over a pointing one. If I couldn’t have a Lab in the pheasant fields, I’d be tempted to take a German shorthair pointer – they’re great dogs with the stamina to cover ground all day long and the nose to point birds.
Pheasant Hunting Dogs: English Springer Spaniel
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