Once upon a time, most gun dog puppies found their forever homes a few miles from their birthplace. Hunting breeds were rooted in communities that prized their skill sets. Old-time hunters in the Northwoods likely had a setter breeder nearby, while Midwesterners might have had a retriever kennel down the road. Only the most dedicated bird dog enthusiasts sought out kennels other than local, small-scale operations.

Times have changed. In the digital age, most people can own a high-performance gun dog of any breed, from anywhere. A quick internet search will reveal dozens, even hundreds, of professional kennels for most common gun dog breeds. Oftentimes, the best options at the end of this process are nowhere near a buyer’s home. If you have picked the (hope- fully) perfect breeder, litter, and puppy you are immediately faced with a daunting question: How do you get them home?

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