Gun dogs, also
gundogs or
bird dogs, are
types of
dogs developed to assist
hunters in finding and retrieving game, usually
birds. Gun dogs are divided into three primary types:
Retrievers,
flushing dogs, and
pointing breeds. Some kennel clubs define a
Gundog Group for gundogs, while other kennel clubs include them in the
Sporting Group.
There are several types of gundogs, each type consisting of multiple breeds:
| Type |
Example |
| Pointers |
|
English Pointer |
| Retrievers |
|
Golden 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 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 dog's initial exuberance 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 the dog's training. 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 birds will hold in position well, allowing the hunter to approach and get into position.
If a bird is downed, the dogs are instructed to search for and retrieve it with the command
dead bird, or simply
dead.
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Flushing dogs
When hunting
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 that run from the hunter. On such birds 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.
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 commanded, the dog will race to the
point of fall, pick up the bird, and return it to the handler.
Retrievers
Retrievers are typically used when
waterfowl hunting
although they can also be employed in hunting upland birds as well.
Since a majority of waterfowl hunting employs the use of small boats in
winter conditions retrievers are expected to remain sitting calmly and
quietly until sent to retrieve. As birds move into range 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". 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. During a
typical day of shooting it is not uncommon for additional birds to be
downed while the dog is performing a retrieve. Retrievers are taught to
ignore these "diversions" until the current retrieve has been completed.
Also at times multiple dogs are 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.
List of Gundog Breeds - Gundog Breed List
- Bracco Italiano
- Braque du Bourbonnais
- Brittany
- Canadian Pointer
- Cesky Fousek
- Corded Poodle
- German Longhaired Pointer
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- German Wirehaired Pointer
- Hungarian Vizsla
- Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla
- Kooikerhondje
- Korthals Griffon
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Large Münsterländer
- Pointer (also known as English Pointer)
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Portuguese Pointer
- Pudelpointer
- Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)
- Retriever (Curly Coated)
- Retriever (Flat Coated)
- Retriever (Golden)
- Retriever (Labrador)
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|
- Retriever (Murray River Curly Coated)
- Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling)
- Setter (English)
- Setter (Gordon)
- Setter (Irish)
- Setter (Irish Red and White)
- Jagdterrier (Jagdterrier)
- Small Münsterländer
- Spaniel (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)
- Spinone Italiano
- Stichelhaar
- Standard Poodle
- Weimaraner
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
|
