Gundogs, also called bird dogs, are a category of dog breeds developed to assist hunters to find and retrieve game, usually birds. Gundogs are divided into three primary classes: Retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds. This Chihuahua mix and Great Dane show the wide range of dog breed sizes. ... Hunting is, in its most general sense, the pursuit of a target. ... Orders Many - see section below. ... A retriever is a type of gundog that retrieves game for a hunter. ... Most spaniels, like this English Cocker Spaniel, are small-to-medium dogs with drop ears and a longer coat. ... Pointer at the moment of flush A pointing breed is a type of gundog typically used in finding game. ...

There are several types of gundogs, each type consisting of multiple breeds; see each type for a detailed description and a list of breeds:

Type	Example
Pointers		English Pointer
Retrievers		Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Setters		English Setter
Flushing Spaniels		English Cocker Spaniel
Water dogs		Standard Poodle

Although classified according to method of work, gun dogs often have skills which extend beyond the tasks outlined for their classification. Depending upon how they are trained dogs may be useful in a variety of hunting situations. Pointers pointing stance The Pointer is a group of dog breeds; specifically, they are a type of gundog typically used in hunting birds. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1600x1067, 342 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): English pointer ... An English Pointer, often called simply a Pointer, is a breed of dog developed as a gun dog. ... A retriever is a type of gundog that retrieves game for a hunter. ... Download high resolution version (800x736, 133 KB)Chesapeaker Bay retriever, large Per User:Nevilleys user page, July 04: All photos which I have uploaded to Wikipedia are hereby licensed under the GFDL. Please feel free to mark any photo of mine as GFDL File history Legend: (cur) = this is... The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a breed of dog that was developed along the Chesapeake Bay to hunt waterfowl under adverse weather and water conditions, often having to break ice during the course of many strenuous multiple retrieves. ... The Setter is a type of gundog used most often for hunting game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse. ... English Setter photo correctly named; replaces EnglishShepherd9_fx_wb. ... The English Setter is a breed of dog. ... Most spaniels, like this English Cocker Spaniel, are small-to-medium dogs with drop ears and a longer coat. ... Image File history File links Kerygma_Cockers_Echo_&_Pheasant. ... The English Cocker Spaniel is a breed of gun dog. ... The standard poodle is a type of water dog Water dogs are a type of gun dog and count among their number some of the oldest dog breeds. ... Image File history File links Waterdog_standard_poodle01. ... The Poodle is a breed of dog; specifically, it is a gundog noted for its ability in the water. ... Intro // Gun dogs are used to hunt all sorts of game. ...

Method of Work for Pointers and Setters

Upon reaching the field, the handler often will cast or direct the dog in a wide circle. Experienced dogs will search the edges of the field knowing that birds are usually found there. This wide run helps to burn off the dogs initial exhuberence and may help the dog establish its bearings and form a "background" upon which game smells will be processed. The dog then begins working back and forth, starting near the hunter and slowly ranging out. The dog repeats this process as the hunters move through the field. How far a handler allows the dog to range is a matter of personal preference. When a pair of dogs work as a team, one works close in while the other ranges out in larger circles. If either dog becomes birdy, the other dog works its way over to assist. Good bird dogs are alert to their handlers and to the disposition of other dogs in the field. They should readily comply if the handler casts them to an area of particular interest, such as a brush pile or shuck of corn.

When game is detected, a dog freezes, either pointing or crouching. If other dogs are present, they also freeze, "honoring" the first dog’s point. The pointing dog remains motionless until the hunters are in position. Handlers give the command whoa, instructing the dog to remain still. What happens next depends on how the dog has been trained. Some trainers train the dog to stay motionless while the hunter steps forward and flushes the game. Other trainers direct the dog to flush the game with a command such as get it! Pointing dogs excel on covey type birds such as bobwhite quail and grouse as these bird will hold in position well allowing the hunter to approach and get into position. A well trained pointer is truly a magnificent sight representing the combined efforts of generations of hunters and breeders. Binomial name Colinus virginianus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Bobwhite Quail or Northern Bobwhite, Colinus virginianus, is a ground_dwelling bird native to North America. ... Genera Coturnix Anurophasis Perdicula Ophrysia † See also Pheasant, Partridge, Grouse Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds in the pheasant family Phasianidae, or in the family Odontophoridae. ... Genera Tetrao Lagopus Falcipennis Centrocercus Bonasa Dendrapagus Tympanuchus Grouse are from the order Galliformes which inhabit temperate and subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere. ...

If a bird is downed, the dogs are instructed to search for it with the command dead bird, or simply dead. The dogs then search for and retrieve the downed game.

Method of Work for Flushing Dogs

When hunted on upland game flushing dogs, spaniels and retrievers work much more closely with the hunter. Flushers will not cover the same amount of ground as a pointing dog as the flusher must be kept within shotgun distance. Flushing dogs are often used on birds which run from the hunter. On such birds, such as pheasant, an aggressive flush is necessary to spring the bird to wing. Flushing dogs excel on these types of bird because they do not point the birds, giving them little time for escape on the ground. Pointing breeds are used on such birds, but must be well trained to know when the bird pointed has moved. Upland game is an American term which refers to those game birds hunted with pointing breeds, flushing spaniels, and retrievers which are not water fowl. ... Genera Ithaginis Catreus Rheinartia Crossoptilon Lophura Argusianus Pucrasia Syrmaticus Chrysolophus Phasianus † See also partridge, quail Pheasants are a group of large birds in the order Galliformes. ... Pointer at the moment of flush A pointing breed is a type of gundog typically used in finding game. ...

Once a bird has been flushed, the dog will sit or "hup" to watch the flight of the bird and mark the fallen birds for retrieval. The dog which does this successfully is referred to as steady to wing and shot. Steadiness is the hallmark of the finished spaniel.

When a bird is shot, the dog should mark where it fell and wait until given the command to retrieve. Once so commanded, the dog will race to the point of fall, pick up the bird, and return it to the handler.

See Also

• Gun-dog training

Intro // Gun dogs are used to hunt all sorts of game. ...

External links

• Helpful information on Training, Conditioning, and caring for your Gun Dog.