ground time is the most important factor in making a good hunting meat dog.

On the Blues, since they are runners- would a flushing breed versus a pointing breed be best? Never really thought about it.

Not ALL setters work close...they can range out just as far as the rangiest of English pointers... my female was a track star in her prime and now, going on 8, she can still get out 400-500 yards in front of a quail buggy no problem...I would suggest you either find yourself a started setter from a reputable breeder that naturally works close or consider a flushing breed...those typically stay within gun range and have strong natural retriever instincts...something like an English Cocker or Springer Spaniel...I've hunted over some great Brittany's that were excellent short-range pointing dogs too...

Good luck in your search!

I was in Colorado then mainly hunted, prairie birds like chickens, sharptails, and sage grouse and of course pheasant.






Roamed around northeast Colorado, Western Kansas and Nebraska. We tried blue quail at least 3 or 4 times a season but never connected. Lost my Heidi girl to splenic tumors this past spring. Absolutely crushing she was my once in a lifetime dog. There's a new one now butlife has changed since moving back to Texas, and the ability to train on my own ain't there anymore and neither are the funds to have it done. Peggy my new gsp is pretty much a rescue out of San Antonio. Great dog pretty much gun broke but scared of everything else like deer, weeds blowing in the wind etc.. . Love on her just the same though.