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The platform's mission is to provide dog owners with the knowledge and skills needed to raise well-behaved and well-trained dogs. Gundog Com's team of experts includes experienced dog trainers and behaviorists who have worked with a range of breeds and temperaments.
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Explore further: Bear Hunting Dogs Breeds
Types of Gundogs
Gundogs can be divided into three primary types: retrievers, pointing breeds, and water dogs. These types are based on the breed's instinctive skill set and the role they play in hunting.
Retrievers are typically used in waterfowl hunting and are expected to remain calm and quiet until sent to retrieve. They're trained to watch and follow the handler's gun, marking and remembering each downed bird. Retrievers are also taught to recall the location of multiple downed birds and to ignore distractions while performing a retrieve.
Here's an interesting read: Hunting Dog Types
Pointing breeds, such as Pointers and Setters, locate game at a distance and alert their owner to their presence by freezing in place. This allows the hunter to get closer before shooting. Pointers and Setters are bred to have strong pointing instincts and can locate game over long distances.
Here are some examples of breeds within each type: TypeBreedRetrieverGolden RetrieverPointerEnglish PointerSetterEnglish SetterWater DogStandard Poodle
Gundogs also include multi-skilled dogs that can hunt, point, and retrieve. These dogs require a lot of exercise and stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Additional reading: Small Hunting Dogs Breeds
Retrievers
Retrievers are typically used for waterfowl hunting, but can also be employed in hunting upland birds.
In winter conditions, retrievers are expected to remain sitting calmly and quietly until sent to retrieve.
A well-trained retriever will watch and follow the handler's gun as he shoots, marking and remembering each bird that is downed.
This is called "marking off the gun", and the downed birds are called "marks".
Retrievers often have to recall the location of many downed birds in one sitting before they retrieve game.
Once the shooting has ceased, the handler commands the dog to retrieve each bird that has been downed.
If a dog did not see the bird fall, a retriever takes direction from the handler, who can use hand and whistle signals to guide the dog to the unseen downed bird.
This is called a "blind" retrieve.
Retrievers are taught to ignore "diversions" until the current retrieve has been completed.
Multiple dogs can be used on a hunt, and retrievers are also taught to "honor" another dog's retrieve by remaining calm and quiet while the other dog is working.
Kennel Club Recognised Breeds
The Kennel Club Recognised Breeds of Gundogs are numerous and varied. They include breeds such as the Golden Retriever, English Pointer, and English Setter.
Some breeds are specifically bred for their pointing instinct, such as the Pointer and the English Setter. These breeds are designed to locate game at a distance and alert their owner to their presence.
Suggestion: Setter
The Kennel Club recognises many breeds of gundogs, including retrievers, pointing breeds, and water dogs. The Golden Retriever is a popular example of a retriever breed.
Here is a list of some Kennel Club recognised breeds of gundogs:
- Barbet
- Bracco Italiano
- Braque du Bourbonnais
- Brittany
- Burgos Pointer
- Drentsche Patrijshond
- Cesky Fousek
- Corded Poodle
- German Longhaired Pointer
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- German Spaniel
- German Wirehaired Pointer
- Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla
- Kooikerhondje
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Large Münsterländer
- Pointer
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Portuguese Pointer
- Pudelpointer
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Curly Coated Retriever
- Flat-Coated Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- English Setter
- Gordon Setter
- Irish Setter
- Irish Red and White Setter
- Small Münsterländer
- American Cocker Spaniel
- American Water Spaniel
- Boykin Spaniel
- Clumber Spaniel
- English Cocker Spaniel
- English Springer Spaniel
- Field Spaniel
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Sussex Spaniel
- Welsh Springer Spaniel
- Spanish Water Dog
- Spinone Italiano
- Stichelhaar
- Standard Poodle
- Vizsla
- Weimaraner
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Wirehaired Vizsla
The variety of breeds available means that there is a gundog to suit every hunter's needs.
Breed Characteristics
Gundogs are a hardy bunch, physically and mentally. Their jobs require them to be robust and able to withstand the demands of hunting with humans.
Some gundog breeds are naturally more energetic than others. For example, the Weimaraner and the Vizsla are bred for their high energy levels and love to stay active.
Gundogs are not the sensitive type, they're built to withstand the rigors of hunting and can be quite resilient. You can find many breeds on the list of gundog breeds, including the German Shorthaired Pointer and the English Springer Spaniel.
Here's a list of some of the most robust gundog breeds:
- Weimaraner
- Vizsla
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- English Springer Spaniel
Temperament
Gundogs are not the sensitive type, they're hardy dogs, both physically and mentally. This is because their jobs involve helping humans hunt game, and they need to be able to handle the physical demands of their work.
They can become boisterous and unruly if not given enough exercise or kept mentally stimulated, which can lead to them carrying your personal items around the house or chewing furniture.
Most gundog breeds are highly social and love everyone, whether human or dog, making them ever-popular as family dogs. However, busy owners need to remember that they need a lot of exercise to be happy and not get into trouble through boredom or obesity.
Gundogs can easily become unruly, so it's essential to provide them with regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
For your interest: Names for Gundogs
Is a Breed Right for You?
Before considering a breed, think about your lifestyle and how it will match up with the dog's needs.
Gundogs are naturally energetic and require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Some breeds have a tendency to overeat, so it's essential to keep an eye on their food intake.
A breed that's right for you will be a great companion, but the wrong one can lead to a mismatched household.
Regular exercise will not only keep your dog's energy levels in check but also help maintain a healthy waistline.
Sources
- Gun Dog Training (meemosfarm.com)
- "Sporting Group" (akc.org)
- "Gundog Group" (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- "Breed Profile: Braque d'Auvergne - Gun Dog Magazine" (gundogmag.com)
- "Gun Dog Care - Caring for Different Dog Breeds" (purina.co.uk)
- "Gundog Breeds: Sizes, Personality & Behaviour | Purina" (purina.co.uk)
- "12 Types of Hunting Dogs and Which One You Need" (topdogtips.com)
- "Definition of GUNDOG" (merriam-webster.com)
- Gundog Breeds: Sizes, Personality & Behaviour | Purina (purina-arabia.com)
- What is a Gun Dog? - Project Upland (projectupland.com)
- Clicker Gundog by Helen Phillips (clickertraining.com)
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