The Versatile Gun Dog

For as long as hunters have been working with dogs, there’s been a debate about versatility. Some believe a bird dog should specialize in one type of hunting—whether it be pointing upland game, retrieving waterfowl, or tracking in the field. Others argue that while a well-trained dog can handle multiple hunting styles, spreading their training across too many disciplines may result in a Jack-of-all-trades but master-of-none scenario. Historically, different breeds were developed with specific tasks in mind. Setters and pointers were bred to locate and hold game, retrievers to fetch downed birds, and spaniels to flush. However, as hunting traditions and environments have evolved, so has the demand for dogs that can do more than one job.

Today, more hunters are looking for a “do-it-all” bird dog, one that can retrieve ducks one day and point quail the next. But how realistic is that expectation? Are some breeds naturally better suited for versatility? And does training a dog for multiple tasks diminish its ability to perform any one of them at a high level?

To help answer these questions, I spoke with Ethan Pippet, co-founder of Standing Stone Kennels. Ethan and his wife, Kat, started their kennel in 2012 and have since established it as a well-respected name in the world of bird dog training. They don’t just train dogs; they also run a YouTube channel with over 213,000 subscribers, offer online training courses, and sell gear through Standing Stone Supply. On top of all that, Ethan guides prairie grouse and pheasant hunts in South Dakota and recently partnered with El Tesoro Ranch in Texas to develop a top-tier German Shorthaired Pointer program.

Can a Dog Be Truly Versatile?

When I asked Ethan if he believed a dog could truly excel in multiple hunting styles, he didn’t hesitate.

“Oh, if it’s bred right, 100%.”

That was his answer. Just a straightforward belief that with the right breeding and training, a dog can absolutely be versatile. But there’s a key follow-up to that: the owner has to be intentional with training.

One of the biggest things Ethan emphasized was breaking down how you actually hunt. He encourages dog owners to be honest with themselves about their priorities.

“What is your primary goal? That’s what we need to establish. Break it down into percentages. ‘I duck hunt 70% of the time and upland hunt 30%.’ That means 70% of training needs to be focused on duck hunting; steadiness drills, marking drills, that kind of thing.”

If someone primarily hunts upland but wants a dog that can retrieve ducks occasionally, they need to prioritize upland training while still making sure their dog is at least familiar with retrieving in a waterfowl setup.

For those who want a true 50/50 split where a dog is equally competent in retrieving and pointing, Ethan pointed out that it starts with breeding, but training plays an equally important role.

“That’s going to be built better in the whelping box, having the right dog with the right attitude is huge. But then again, you need to do what the dog needs, not just what you can do. Some dogs naturally lean more one way or the other, but with the right exposure and work, they can be well-rounded. The key is understanding what your dog excels at and reinforcing those skills without neglecting the others.”

Understanding the Spectrum of Versatility

When discussing versatility in bird dogs, it’s important to recognize that not all breeds are built the same. Ethan described versatility as a spectrum, with pointing dogs on one end and retrieving dogs on the other.

“Think of versatility as a spectrum. On one end, you have pure pointing dogs, and on the other, you have full retrievers. The true perfect versatile dog would be right straight up and down, a 50/50 split of pointing and retrieving. I want my needle shaded toward pointing dog, because as you build in this retrieving category, you lose some of the pointing, and as you build in the pointing category, you lose the retrieving.

So you have an English Pointer that doesn't even retrieve because they don't love it, they're not bred for it, and they're never asked to retrieve so they don’t care. Then on the other side, you have your Labrador that would be full retriever with no pointing instinct at all. I don’t want to be here. We want to be in the middle, but as you move away from pointing dog, you lose natural pointing desire and you lose natural backing desire. I want those two things. I want dogs that want to point birds, and I want dogs that want to back.

Those are two things that are very difficult to manage when hunting wild birds. I have to trust that they want to point that bird. If they don't, you've got a dog that you have to constantly stay on top of so they're not busting birds or pointing for a little bit and then just trying to catch the bird. So, I'm trying to shade that needle toward pointing dog a little bit without losing retriever desire.”

This means that selecting the right breed is crucial before training even begins.

Does Training for Versatility Diminish a Dog’s Abilities?

A common concern among hunters is whether training a dog for multiple types of hunting might dilute its abilities in its primary role. Ethan doesn’t see it that way.

“Ultimately, I’m gonna say no. All of our dogs are trained for versatility. Some are better than others, but as long as you’re doing things correctly and keeping a balanced approach, they’re not going to lose one or the other. Doing more retrieving work wouldn't hurt your pointing work unless you weren’t doing pointing work at all.”

Once you have a breed suited for versatility, the key is maintaining consistency in training and ensuring exposure to a variety of hunting environments. Rather than worrying about one skill diminishing the other, it’s about balancing both so the dog can perform effectively in any hunting situation.

The Role of Exposure and Training

Versatility isn’t just about natural ability; it’s about exposure. Ethan explained that bird dog training isn’t so much about teaching a dog to hunt; it’s about exposing them to different scenarios and letting them learn through experience.

“With the development of dogs, it’s more about exposure. Obedience training is the thing that doesn’t come naturally. Everything else is exposure. Exposure to birds, water, ducks, upland birds; if versatility is your goal, you need exposure to all of them.”

That exposure has to be done right, though. Just throwing a dog into a new situation and hoping they figure it out isn’t a good strategy. Poor exposure can create lasting issues, which is why careful, well-planned introductions to birds, different environments, and even obedience drills are key.

Thunder: A Case Study in Versatility

Some dogs naturally take to versatility in a way that sets them apart. Ethan pointed to one of his own, Thunder; a German Shorthaired Pointer that excelled across multiple hunting disciplines.

“Every training session it would be his first time doing something new, and three reps in, he would have it down.”

Thunder’s ability to learn and adapt quickly made him stand out. Recognizing his potential, Ethan sent Thunder to Lone Duck Outfitters for additional retriever training; a decision that highlights just how well a pointing breed can develop retrieving skills when given the right foundation.

Thunder’s story reinforces that while breed plays a role, a dog’s true ceiling is determined by its individual drive, intelligence, and the training opportunities it’s given. He wasn’t just capable of handling multiple styles of hunting; he thrived in all of them.

The Long-Term Commitment to Versatility

Versatility isn’t something a dog achieves once and keeps forever; it requires continuous reinforcement and practice. A versatile hunting dog must regularly be exposed to both upland and waterfowl scenarios to keep its skills sharp in both disciplines. If a dog spends an entire season retrieving ducks and never works on pointing, those natural tendencies may weaken. The most successful versatile dogs aren’t just well-trained early on; they continue to be trained with balance throughout their hunting careers.

Final Thoughts

Training a versatile bird dog is absolutely realistic, but it’s a process that begins long before the first training session. Selecting the right breed is the foundation. While preferences vary, the key is ensuring the dog has the genetic capability to be versatile. The further a breed leans toward either extreme—pointing or retrieving—the more difficult it becomes to develop true versatility.

Once a suitable breed is chosen, the owner’s expectations and hunting priorities must guide the training process. How often will the dog be retrieving versus pointing? What type of terrain and hunting environments will it be exposed to? Training should be structured with these priorities in mind. A well-balanced training program strengthens both pointing and retrieving while maintaining the dog’s confidence in each role. Exposure is key, and consistency ensures that the dog retains its ability to seamlessly transition between different hunting styles.

A versatile hunting dog is the result of thoughtful breeding, structured training, and a commitment to reinforcing its abilities over time. With the right foundation and training, a versatile dog doesn’t just get by—it thrives in every role it’s prepared for.