Identify breed please

[762Armo]

This is the only old photo I have of my grandfathers hunting dog. From the stories I've heard from gramps and everyone that met this dog it sounded like this dog was smarter than a lot of humans. Lol.
My dad or uncle can't remember the breed. Can you?
If it matters, this is on the other side of the world, in Eastern Europe. Armenia to be exact.

[762Armo]

Sorry. Can't rotate pic for some reason. It shows up correct in my phone. Gramps did a lot of bird hunting, so I figured this is the best place to ask.

[lokidog]

Don't have any idea on breed, other than it looks young with those big feet and the way it sits.

[ellensburgpo]

Looks like a lab

[ghosthunter]

This is the only old photo I have of my grandfathers hunting dog. From the stories I've heard from gramps and everyone that met this dog it sounded like this dog was smarter than a lot of humans. Lol.
My dad or uncle can't remember the breed. Can you?
If it matters, this is on the other side of the world, in Eastern Europe. Armenia to be exact.

I suspect given the region and era, that it is a Saint Johns Dog. Used by fisherman to Retreiver net buoys. It is the forefather of modern day Labradors.

Note the otter type tail.

Just my guess.

[ghosthunter]

St.Johns Water Dogs where around in 1800 but almost gone by 1880. They were also know to have some white markings,which your photo doesn't.

If the photo was taken after that time period than it could be a young lab given the tail it has.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John%27s_Water_Dog

[RadSav]

I'm thinking Wachtelhund based on the ears.   Also thought Small Münsterländer, but color seems to mess that up.

I've tried to work on the photo to get a better idea of the coat texture and whether there are feathers on those front legs.  Maybe someone can do a better job than me on that.  I wasn't able to tell for sure.

So really I have no flippin' idea

[762Armo]

Ill double check on the age of the picture with my dad, but I estimate it to be sometime in the 30s-50s. Also not sure of dogs age in the picture, so could very well be a pup. Dad describes the dog bigger than a medium sized dog.

[huntnphool]

Looks like a lab but then the ears look like they have too much hair.

[Skyvalhunter]

rotated

[NW-GSP]

Looks like a English lab to me with the tail, head shape and length of the legs.

[T-Bone]

Possibly, a Curley Coated Retriever, by the look of the ears and the coat:

http://www.ccrca.org

[John B]

Cocker spaniel maybe? Looks similar to some field bred cocker spaniels I've seen

[762Armo]

Thanks for all the replys guys. I'm still not sure on what it is, but I'll print all the breeds suggested and show them to my dad and uncle.

[T-Bone]

The American Water Spaniel is another possibility; although the tail and long legs don't seem quit right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Water_Spaniel

Tom