I have to put a plug in for Spaniels...a lot of people will make an argument that they are the breed best suited for pheasants (labs clearly take all-around most versatile dog; I won't argue that). They hunt close, quarter quickly and naturally, and are strong retrievers. They also have more stamina in the uplands than a retriever due to their smaller size.

I like brittanies in milo stalks, as they don;t usually range too far and will help on some points on sitting birds that might otherwise let you walk past them. But, in the thicker stuff they often have a tough time getting through it. I've been behind some mighty good GSPs and Setters in those conditions. I wouldn't doubt a Visla would do a good all-around job, and I have hunted behind them on a couple of occasions, with them both doing an admirable job.

For me, I wouldn't trade my brits on pheasant (on quail - certainly yes most of the time), but I think it's kind of like your gun - everyone has what they like and are comfortable with them.

Labs are okay if you are a water fowl hunter.I have used them for upland birds as well,I would definetly prefer to have a lab than go without a dog.I would be a bit concerned about the inbreeding of the American lab. Lots of hip problems.
Other than that they are the most popular pet in America.

Labs are fine as long as you buy from a responsable breeder... Kind of like talking smack to a GWP guy becuase his dogs not a tatooed DD..Just saying.

Quail use a pointer, pheasants are a different animal, I'll take a well conditioned Lab on wild pheasants over a big ranging pointer any day of the week unless its a pen raised bird...

I've seen many a shorthair inside of truck cabs up north in pheasant country.
I've also shot many a pheasant under pointers in Kansas.
You just don't do it with 15 hunters walking corn rows.

very true!! I've killed them over just about all the hunting breeds out there, just perfer labs, as long as they are conditioned well!!

I do enjoy the grace of watching a GSP clear a 5 foot barbwire fence though, always thought that was cool to watch, then there is the hot wire and smaller pointers.. They always seemed to forget about them..

The part of Kansas I hunt in has mainly hot wires. When I meet up with some of the local ranchers and farmers, they don't care if you're hunting phez, they want to know if you've shot a mulie.
When I say no, they ask, "why not."
Apparently mule deer won't jump a single hot wire. They go through them.
I've been tempted, but I've never shot one, even though I've never seen a game warden.

Bobo, that is funny on the little pointers. I have always had big males and never had a problem but my little female gyp zinged herself about 4 times. Two of the guys in the group were mad at me all afternoon for lighting her up with the collar until later when I mentioned I was surprised Sadie couldnt figure out the hot wire deal.

I think it all depends on the type of cover you are hunting and how hard the birds have been hunted.

Wow, Bill. Hopefully, you're just trying to get everyone's goat here, because I usually like your posts. I'm afraid, my little Golden would have some words for you, if you tried to say she wasn't a real bird dog. She's retrieved too many ducks, pheasant and dove to think she's anything else. Hoping to get a goose hunt in before the season's all said and done.

Man, the best part of my hunt a couple of weeks ago came on a bird that I didn't even get a shot at. We were setting up to work an old homestead, and jumped up a rooster. My uncle was the only one ready to shoot and dropped him. He had designs of getting up and running off but my Belle girl absolutely hammered him, and brought him back to me. The whole time she was bringing him back to me, she was getting smacked in face with his wing.

My brother's pointer was already out in the field chasing the Ghosts of Roosters past and had no idea what happened behind him.

Frogs, Frogs, Frogs, I went on to explain that bird dogs to me are pointing dogs. Birds to me are quail. You go duck hunting, goose hunting, dove hunting or bird hunting. Bird hunting is quail hunting for me and most Texans.

+++++1. If you've never hunted pheasants with a Brit you just don't know.

Gotcha. I will admit that seeing a pointer tearing through the fields and then slamming on point is a sight to behold. My brother's pointer has one of the most stylish points you'll ever see. Once shot, you don't want him getting ahold of that bird, though.

To Reel's comment, I've only hunted behind Brittanys once. Apparently this guy had gone to NC to get this pair of started Brits with champion lines. Two of the cutest pocket rockets you'd ever seen. But, they were only interested in tearing through the fields busting up birds left and right. It was actually a blessing that they scared up a jack rabbit and chased it to the next section so mine and my brother's dogs could work. I love Brits, though, and I'm looking forward to being able to work behind one that actually LIKES birds.