Having a variety of pointing dogs as well as retrievers here in the clan, we have found that with good dogs, training, trialing, testing and hunting, either can and do crossover between waterfowling and upland hunting. We have Setters and Britts sitting in the blind retrieving ducks with Labs, and the Labs pushing up birds to the gunner in the uplands.

What’s a bit interesting is training them to actually hunt together at the same time. Not to bad in the blinds with waterfowling, but a bit harder to do in the Pheasant and Quail cover. Something about a flushing dog like our Labs stealing a Red Setter’s point will have the gunners and handlers really mumbling...

Now as to the REAL place in bird hunting for a classic SxS to show it’s roots ? That would likely be chasing after Setters and Pointers in the woods and uplands, with the old three shot pumps and semi autos sitting in the muddy blind with the ducks and retrievers.

But, it’s always fun to break outta the old mold, and try new things. like Jump Shooing Mallards or Teal along a river or creek when chasing Huns and Quail in the thickets . This you do with an ultra lite 28 Gage three shooter that you carry cuz you’re walking three miles to get there...