well I've shot 8 pheasants this year without the help of a dog. I've flushed many more and missed them.
The ones I saw before they flushed were easier to shoot as you have your shotgun ready in shooting position.
I'm my own dog, I end up walking into the scrub and cover and I've had the crap scared out of me by flushing birds too. haha
Hunting pheasants is fun.
I think part of the fun of hunting pheasants with a dog is watching them work, especially when they get dialed into one. I am able to witness this from afar from other hunters hunting in the field.
Its a good partnership. Dog finds birds. Hunter shoots bird. Or Hunter misses bird and dog gives hunter a dirty look. lol