Hundreds of TV episodes and thousands of miles chasing wild birds ... there's gotta be some dogs worth talking about. What do we learn from them? How do they affect us? Can we ever repay the lessons they teach us?

I'll boil it down to a few hunting dogs that have brightened a day afield, given me food for thought, and got me thinking. With luck, my stories will kindle some of your own.

Our Handle It segment has a tip for keeping your dog steady at the flush; and you chime in with your favorite smells in the field.

Please visit our sponsors:

Sage & Braker Mercantile, Pointer shotguns, Trulock Chokes, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, your online shotgun shopping resource, @midwayusa, #midwayusa, FurFeathersFriends and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.