re: Looking for dog suggestions

My suggestion is to sit down and rank the attributes you listed as to what is most important to YOU and then make your decision accordingly.

Remember that all of the field breeds will be high energy dogs and need training, structure, and instruction.

If hunting, athleticism, and ease of training is most important to you, I'd recommend a nicely field bred Lab.

If chick appeal and some hunting is what you want, it's hard to beat a good field bred Golden.

Boykins are okay...cute little dogs. Personally, I find them lacking in the hunting department. Especially with water work (but you said you hunt dry fields and "some" marsh)

Pudelpointers, GSP's, Drahts, and poodles certainly have their fans, but I find them lacking in the hunting department with the trainability required. And, if you're new to training a dog, I'd suggest staying away from those breeds.

All the breeds will present you with their own unique set of problems and idiosyncrasies.

Bottom line...go with a good field bred Lab. (yes, I know what I said in my first sentence}