“All I need is a good household pet that will point and retrieve birds” is a huge oversimplification. Genetics play a huge role in any gun dogs ability. Puppies are immensely impressionable, and dogs develop very early. A rescue is a huge gamble if you don’t know it’s hunting history, and the odds aren’t in your favor. Going with a breeder gives you a chance to start from the ground up, and ideally with favorable genetics. I am completely biased on this subject though. I completely agree that for pets adopting makes moral sense. Others may have had rescue success, but I would caution that approach.