Ultimately he can be happy and nicely behaved in just about any home, as long as you saddle up and take him somewhere, each and every day. The city may be just as good as the country to him, if he has the life of action he craves and is not confined extensively. He needs things to do and he needs you to do them with him, at least some of the time. The good news about this constant demand for your attention is that he will train well, and fast. And, of course, you will finally lose those stubborn ten pounds.

PUBLIC LIFE—He is usually the guy that walks down the street and sees every single person and animal as a potential friend and fellow adventurer. His amiable, outgoing, social-butterfly demeanor can make him a wonderful candidate for a highly social neighborhood or a lifestyle that includes dog parks and picnics. On the other hand, minding his own business is not exactly the gun dog’s strong suit. This can make for all kinds of awkward social moments when out and about, as he leaps wildly at approaching dogs and children, in hopes of a good time.

So, owner beware: He can get the reputation on the block of being “that guy” to the other dogs. He may be a little too friendly and forward for the old Border Collie next door or the nervous Chihuahua at the corner shop. Telling them, or their owners, that “he just wants to say hi” isn’t likely to make them feel any better as he barrels boisterously in their direction.

What’s great, though, is that he is totally capable of learning to control himself and be a gentleman. He may have to work at it and fight his urge to engage, but his trainability and responsiveness to directions can work in your favor—as long as you work at it, too, and fully engage him in the learning process by getting him hooked into your teamwork vibe. Take him on an afternoon hike in exchange for keeping a lid on it when he is downtown. Exercise, educate, and enjoy.

PERSONAL LIFE—The “good dog” that so many people envision when fantasizing about the perfect canine companion is often a gun dog. The standard of behavior that we, as a culture, usually hold for our pets is that they are responsive to us, attentive, unthreatening to people and other animals, and a playful counterpart. The gun dog’s recent history and culture have played a large part in developing our unconscious ideals for all dogs.