My old Cocker/Beagle passed away last Sept. and he was the best flusher I've ever seen. He would wait until one of my setters was on point and then he would flush the bird for us. He would actually stay back with us, see the other dog go on point, then go with us to the point and flush the bird. He wouldn't get in the way of the other dogs pointing, backing or retrieving. God I miss him!
My Siberian Husky died about 5 years ago and I still miss her terribly. So smart. She understood every thing and would laugh at jokes and would tell on cat. Amazing. She went everywhere with me and was my best friend.
However, the combined IQs of the crew we have now wouldn’t add up to her left paw. I suspect the newfie is smarter than he lets on but he’s just too lazy to turn on all brain cells at once. The laziness did save his manhood when the vet was insistant he be fixed but finally agreed the poor thing couldn’t be bothered getting that excited. He does understand pointing though and that humans have names.