For centuries, humans have teamed up with various breeds of hunting dogs to pursue game, whether for survival or for sport. Depending on the game and the location, each breed has been carefully chosen to display physical and mental characteristics that will allow the owner to experience a successful hunt.
Pointers
Breeds: Weimeraner, German wirehair pointer, griffon, American Brittany, vizsla.
The pointer dog is highly intelligent and obedient. Training these hunting dogs is easy. These breeds are trained to track game and then identify the quarry by freezing to notify the hunter that game is nearby. Pointers are most often used to flush out upland game, including quail, grouse and pheasant.
Retrievers
Breeds: Labrador retriever, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Golden retriever, Flat Coated retriever.
Among the most athletic hunting dogs, the retriever breeds can do it all. Particularly adept at retrieving waterfowl, retrievers have a coat of hair that repels water and webbed feet that make them suited to sport in and out of the water.
Hounds
Breeds: coonhound, basset hound, whippet, Scottish deerhound, Italian greyhound.
These breeds are divided between scent hounds and sight hounds. Scent hounds track down game with astonishing accuracy due to an enhanced sense of smell and give a deep bark or baying when the game is treed or cornered. Sight hounds will spot prey from afar and stalk using overpowering speed.
Setters
Breeds: Irish setter, English setter, Gordon Setter.
The setter relies on a superior sense of smell to track down game, and because of the unique crouch or "set" that the dogs did when the hunter took charge gave them their name. Long coats allow them to crash through underbrush with little hesitation, and all terrain is accessible to them, whether marshland or woods.
Spaniels
Breeds: Irish water spaniel, springer spaniel, cocker spaniel, Welsh springer, Boykin spaniel.
Prized for thick coats, gentle mouths and enthusiastic personalities, spaniel breeds are small but trainable. Their aptitude lies in the ability to flush out game and then retrieve it. Waterfowl, rabbits and quail are generally suited to the spaniel.
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