Brent.
I always a mixed bag. Some were Bloodline dogs and a couple of Grade dogs. Most were in the 13" range but a couple of the best dogs I had were smaller, one was no more 9" at the shoulder. We would carry her in our back packs when there was deep snow. Then we would put her down at the edge of the brushpile and she would go in and do her job. Killed a lot of rabbits with that particular dog.
If a dog wasn't a good hunter by the age of two I would usually sell it or give it away. Most of the pups I trained broke before their first birthday, considering I got them real young. It was aggrevating yet very rewarding when it was all said and done. I really miss the aggrevation and the fun of it.