Bird dog
Encyclopedia
A bird dog is a type
of gun dog
or hunting dog
used to hunt or retrieve bird
s or other small game animals. by tracking their scent in the air. This dog breed has special hunting abilities and they are also trained to retrieve the birds after hunting them down. Bird dogs tend to enjoy the process of hunting and retrieving birds which boosts their efficiency levels. They can be easily trained and are comfortable in family setups.
Generally, bird dog breeds are classified into three types - the pointers, the flushers and the retrievers. This classification is made on the basis of their hunting style and the unique characteristics that they possess.
1. Pointer (dog breed)
possess a special trait of locating a game.
2. Flushers
trained to stay in quarters close to the hunter so that they can flush the prey.
3. Retriever
trained to bring the prey to the hunter.
In the southern United States
the term bird dog refers to dog breeds such as the pointer
, English setter
, Red setter, German shorthair pointer
, Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
, Brittany
, and other pointing breeds.
Dog type
Dog types are broad categories of dogs based on function, with dogs identified primarily by specific function or style of work rather than by lineage or appearance....
of gun dog
Gun dog
thumb|right|A group of Gun dogs as printed in Dogs of All Nations by W.E. Mason in 1915Gun 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...
or hunting dog
Hunting dog
A hunting dog refers to any dog who assists humans in hunting. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for various tasks. The major categories of hunting dogs include hounds, terriers, dachshunds, cur type dogs, and gun dogs...
used to hunt or retrieve bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s or other small game animals. by tracking their scent in the air. This dog breed has special hunting abilities and they are also trained to retrieve the birds after hunting them down. Bird dogs tend to enjoy the process of hunting and retrieving birds which boosts their efficiency levels. They can be easily trained and are comfortable in family setups.
Generally, bird dog breeds are classified into three types - the pointers, the flushers and the retrievers. This classification is made on the basis of their hunting style and the unique characteristics that they possess.
1. Pointer (dog breed)
Pointer (dog breed)
The Pointer, often called the English Pointer, is a breed of dog developed as a gun dog. It is one of several pointing breeds.-Appearance:...
possess a special trait of locating a game.
2. Flushers
Spaniel
A spaniel is a type of gun dog. It is assumed spaniels originated from Spain as the word spaniel may be derived from Hispania or possibly from the French phrase "Chiens de l’Espagnol" . Spaniels were especially bred to flush game out of dense brush. By the late 17th century spaniels had become...
trained to stay in quarters close to the hunter so that they can flush the prey.
3. Retriever
Retriever
A retriever is a type of gun dog that retrieves game for a hunter. Generally gun-dogs are divided into three major classifications: retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds. Retrievers were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage...
trained to bring the prey to the hunter.
In the southern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
the term bird dog refers to dog breeds such as the pointer
Pointer (dog breed)
The Pointer, often called the English Pointer, is a breed of dog developed as a gun dog. It is one of several pointing breeds.-Appearance:...
, English setter
English Setter
The English Setter is a breed of dog. It is part of the Setter family, which includes red Irish Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, and black-and-tan Gordon Setters. It is a gun dog, bred for a mix of endurance and athleticism.- Appearance :...
, Red setter, German shorthair pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German shorthaired pointer is a breed of dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting.The breed is streamlined yet powerful with strong legs that make it able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has moderately long floppy ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and...
, Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever, or Toller for short, is a medium sized breed of gundog bred primarily for hunting. The dog originated in southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the smallest of the retrievers.-Use in hunting:...
, Brittany
Brittany (dog)
The Brittany is a breed of gun dog bred primarily for bird hunting. Although the Brittany is often referred to as a Spaniel, the breed's working characteristics are more akin to those of a pointer or setter.-History:...
, and other pointing breeds.