Invariably, every hunting trip shapes a new idea about how I want to do things moving forward. During this year's travels, I've come to realize hunting over different bird dogs gives me a greater appreciation for the unique talents of each individual and breed. This got me thinking about how avid bird watchers keep a list of all the species of birds they've seen over their lifetime. It's called a "life list" and seems tailor-made for a bird dog-loving guy like me to put my own spin to . . . my own bird dog hunting life list. While I've had the opportunity to admire all of the breeds listed below during Pheasant Fest's Bird Dog Parade, I have only experienced the pleasure of hunting with half of them.

Here is my best recollection of the bird dog breeds I've shared a field or forest with in search of pheasants, quail and grouse so far in my life.

  1. Boykin Spaniel
  2. Brittany
  3. English Cocker Spaniel
  4. English Setter
  5. English Springer Spaniel
  6. German Shorthaired Pointer
  7. German Wirehaired Pointer
  8. Golden Retriever
  9. Gordon Setter
  10. Irish Setter
  11. Labrador Retriever
  12. Llewellin Setter
  13. Pointer
  14. Poodle
  15. Red Setter
  16. Small Munsterlander
  17. Vizla
  18. Weimaraner
  19. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

List of Sporting Breeds I've yet to hunt behind include:

1.Airedale Terrier

2.American Water Spaniel

3.Chesapeake Bay Retriever

I had the opportunity to hunt with a wide array of bird dog breeds last week during this hunt in Kansas

4.Clumber Spaniel

5.Cocker Spaniel

6.Curly Coated Retriever

7.Field Spaniel

8.Flat Coated Retriever

9.French Brittany

10.Irish Red and White Setter

11.Irish Water Spaniel

12.Large Munsterlander

13.Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

14.Pudelpointer

15.Spinone Italiano

16.Sussex Spaniel

17.Welsh Springer Spaniel

18.Wirehaired Vizsla

19. Braque du Bourbonnais

Ed Howell with his Braque du Bourbonnais

How many breeds are on your bird dog hunting life list?

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever's Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre and listen to Bob and Billy Hildebrand every Saturday morning on FAN Outdoors radio on KFAN FM100.3.