Russ, I have to tell ya, you have me laughing like hell here sitting at the computer. I love the story about the woodcock getting buried.
I think all dogs have their little flaws. Benny has his own as well. Sometimes if the bird falls close he will not retrieve it and I will have to walk over and get it. but he will stay with it until I pick it up. I am not one to push a animal and yell and scream. I am easy to please. I think in many ways a dog can pick up on that. In my opinion, (now this is just my opinion) if the dog is a good hunter that is what matters. I do have to say though, it is nice when he goes into the water after it.... Growing up, I always hunted over Springers, my uncle had several. I remember one being an exceptional hunter and she would never retrieve the bird. None of us complained though. Very often each of us would go home with our limits. She was a good dog and to this day I always compare a hunting dog to her. They all have their own personality. I think many hunters over the years will have their "one dog" that stands out above the others.
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