And a special note, I didn't see all the replies to see if anyone covered it, but....There is a MASSIVE diff. between GSP and EP (german short hair, english pointer) and labs. If the lab is what you are used to youngbuck, then nothing can prepare you for these other two breeds. The pace of a lab full speed, is the resting pace of the GSP and EP. Especially the english, they just don't do slow. If you want a dog to take fishing or hiking besides hunting then my vote is the GSP and EP are not going to be the best choices. My english, is the best dog I have ever owned, but when the paws hit the dirt, she's hunting. And she's hunting till I say stop. She's great to hike with, and hunt with, but if I had to take her fishing, i'd never watch the water. She ranges only as far as she can see me in dense brush, out to full field lengths on open ground. She listens and comes on commad wonderfully, but she just moves so much its like there she is, no there, no there. I got my english from a wonderful breeder out near eagle creek, and when I saw her hit the ground I was in love. She runs like poetry, I almost enjoy watching her hunt more than finding any birds she's that cool. So, make sure the dogs energy level is one you feel like keeping up with, and burning off. Sure this is a generalization, but if I hadn't experienced the energy she has beforehand, I would have thought I made a huge mistake.