Sporting Dogs (Gundog) Breed Overview

Sporting dogs, also known as gundogs (UK) were originally bred and trained to find live game and/or retrieve game that had been shot on land as well as in water and  are instinctively good swimmers. Even without any special training they will be happy to retrieve things from water however they will need to be taught what needs to be retrieved.

They are known for their intelligent and good temperament and make excellent hunting companions as well as ideal all-round family dogs. Due to their high level of intelligence, they are easy to train.  They are active dogs with an inherent natural love for running and swimming and will require plenty of exercise and attention.  If you are looking to train the puppy for gundog work  look  for parents from working stock as puppies inherit their hunting abilities from their parents; this will give him a head over others.

The breed can be divided into four groups, retrievers (retrieve game once shot), Spaniels (flush game), Pointers and Setters (who use their excellent scent to find game, then stay motionless pointing their body towards the game)however many of the breeds are very capable of doing the same work as the others in the group.

There are over 30 different breeds within the sporting dog group to choose from, the Labrador retriever being the most popular breed of all.  The American Cocker Spaniel  and Cocker Spaniel breeds also have a lot of followers.

Cocker Spaniels

Cocker Spaniels

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Claudie on November 15th 2009 in Sporting (Gundogs)