A shorthair makes a great family dog and hunting campanion, while also allowing you to hold onto your "man card." Photo courtesy of PF member Joe Houser.

A shorthair makes a great family dog and hunting campanion, while also allowing you to hold onto your "man card." Photo courtesy of PF member Joe Houser.

 
 
Apparently, subscribers of GQ magazine have to also send in their "man card" with their $20 check. At least that's what I'm left to believe after the publication's recent "How to Choose Your New Best Friend" online article in which the following sentence leads the story:
 
There are 170 dog breeds, but these four are the only ones you need to know. Whether you want a booze-brunch companion, a half-buddy/half-babysitter mix, or the canine version of Paul Bunyan, we've got the right breed for you.
 
My negative foreshadowing probably has you already skeptical about GQ's suggestions, but for giggles I'll recount their four recommended dog breeds for guys:
 
1. Brussels Griffon
2. Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
3. Bullmastiff
4. Australian Shepherd (picked specifically for guys who like to be outdoors . . . really)
 
Needless to say, there's not a bird dog in the mix. So if you're a guy with his man card still intact and looking for a new pup, check out one of these two Pheasants Forever blog posts for a better source of bird dog breed information:
 
 
 
Or you'd also be well served to read the comments to Anthony Hauck's My First Bird Dog series.
 
 
The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Marketing. Follow Bob on Twitter @BobStPierre.