Science tells us that the dog - human partnership began more than 30,000 years ago, as wolves that showed less aggression and more cooperation began to be accepted as co-scavengers by humankind.  The human-canine partnership evolved into hunting partnerships, to dogs working as pack animals and village alarm systems, to protection of livestock to...well...when times got tough, to an emergency food supply.  Though it might not be very many feet from eyes reflected on the fringe of campfire glow to a place at that very same fire, the dog-people connection has actually come a very long way over the millennia.

Of course, dogs became elevated into status as humankind's best friend because of that most essential of traits:  companionability, a quality that most bird hunters continue to seek not only as the glue that holds together field work but as a rewarding amenity to ownership.  Most of us want far more from our dogs than merely a tool or an accessory to the hunt;  we enjoy a special relationship with our gun dogs, and hew to those breeds, those individuals, most eager to give back more than an extra bird or two in the bag.

Certainly any reputable breeder of companion gun dogs factors that into the selection of bloodstock.  The balance to be struck is between predacious drive and tenacity on the one hand and tractability/biddability on the other.  Certainly proper socialization and bonding play a role in this, but to begin with a puppy bred from dogs of superior performance qualities and natural ability, as well as an innate desire to work for the Gun, is a huge advantage in terms of training, handling, and developing a partner that pushes to hunt to cover while maintaining contact with the hunter.

Certainly that's why Blizzard's Huntmore females are selected with such care.  As important as is the genetic contribution of the sire in terms of performance and disposition, perhaps even more so is the brood female's impact on a puppy's early development.  Calm, people centered, sensible matrons set the kind of tone for a litter that helps produce companionable, tractable gun dog prospects.  To our family, temperament is a critical piece of the selection process, and we take pride in turning out puppies of uncommon field potential who are charismatic, affable companion/family dogs between working stints.  

After all, people who look forward to spending time with their dogs will find more time to spend, whether that's in socialization/bonding, in training, or in establishing connections on the hunt...and it's time spent thoughtfully and purposefully with our dogs that not only reaps the best field work, but the most rewarding partnerships year 'round.