Does style matter to you?

Absolutely.

Yes. But I won't get rid of a dog if it isn't there

I'm the same way. They are here to stay when they come home with me. Cracker is lacking in that department but she's my dog.

One of the first things I look for in a pup. Put them on a wing and see how nice the tail might be, do they stop and stand tall or hunker down some. It doesn't cost anymore to feed a pretty one. If there are two that look good to you take the well marked one (or both of them) home. You wont know much about desire, nose and bid ability till later but if they have it all looks are a big plus.

You can tell a lot at eight weeks!

ET's red setters have panache in spades. An artist came down to do a painting. Here's his first sketch.



ET ask what I thought. My reply was that it was a tough job. I've never seen either tail that low and I liked to see them leaning in like this.



It's a tough job to catch them just right.

Picture No. 1 is a sketch?

ET should have wore his red coat and tie for the sketch

Yes.

The continental breeds do not have tails but you can still recognize panache when you see it. My first training book was By Henry P. Davis. He likened class of bird dogs to pretty classy women. You know it when you see it.

Damn, so clear and crisp looks like a pic. I'd check with ET, cover looks way to clear.

I just take Chet's hand me downs. As long as they hunt I don't care what they look like.

I think panache in all aspects of upland bird hunting is what makes it so special.

Dogs, shotguns, attire (somewhat at least), social aspects, proper words to describe things, deference to gunning companions, leaving some birds, everything.

In other words, class.

I am with you Bill, not sure if its proper (with a capital P) form, but I like a little lean in as well which ends up with a point where the head is not as high as some guys like; guess thats personal preference.

I think it happens a lot less than it once did but people once styled their dogs up on point. It was part of the training program. I'm completely hands off in that area. I don't even set them back, but that's another topic.

If I am being honest, some of Jenny's points have "panache", and some don't.

That sketch of the 2 red setters is beautiful, wouldn't mind having that framed and in my office!!

If 2 dogs are equal(but they never are) then yes, but in general style does not matter much to me. Can they smell, point, come and Whoa(and NO fighting) is most impt to me.

There is a lot of bs somewhere. Maybe poopy paints can figure it out.

Well old poopy likes em' tall and tight. Now don't know if that's your panache or not but daddy always told me a good dogs like a good woman, they don't have to be pretty but the ride home is always shorter if they are.

Well mr poopy is mr oxners first picture a picture or a painting.

The better looking the quicker the ride home and the quicker to sleep has been my experience

Well, could be wrong but seems like a dang nice photo of two pretty red dogs. I new a old boy with a red dog that could talk. I went to look at it and sure as Im standing here he said hello to me, then asked if I was haven a good day. Well I went and bought him and then after the deal was done asked the old boy why would he sell a dog with that kind a talent. He looked me square in the eye and come clean that the dog lies some. Dangest thing I ever witnessed.

I copied this pic of the new Nat. CH. from facebook and can't get it to appear as a photo but only a link, sorry for that but if you clink on the link it's another example of a class bird dog.

[img]https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/..._12674228388237[/img]

I got ya Chet. That is one fine looking animal right there.

Thanks Bobby. I got it to work, now don't feel like complete tool.

I'd call that panache.....