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{{short description|Hunting dog type}}
[[File:Man walking spaniel gun dog in tweed waistcoat after shooting.jpg|300px|thumb|Man walking a [[spaniel]] gun dog]]
'''Gun dogs''' or '''bird dogs''' are [[dog type|type]]s of [[hunting dog]]s developed to assist [[hunter]]s in finding and retrieving [[Game (hunting)|game]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of GUNDOG |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gundog |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref> typically various [[fowl]]s that are shot down on the flight. The term hunting dog is broad and includes all breeds and skills of hunting canines, but "gun dogs" refers to canines that are trained to work alongside a loud firearm while hunting or retrieving game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lumontod |first=Patrick |date=2017-10-03 |title=12 Types of Hunting Dogs and Which One You Need |url=https://topdogtips.com/types-of-hunting-dogs/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Top Dog Tips |language=en-US}}</ref> Gun dogs are divided into three main categories: pointers and retrievers, setters and spaniels, and water dogs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gundog Breeds: Sizes, Personality & Behaviour {{!}} Purina |url=https://www.purina.co.uk/find-a-pet/articles/dog-types/breed-groups/gundog-breeds |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.purina.co.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=April 2023}}
== Types ==
There are several
{| class="wikitable"
!Main category
!Type||colspan=2|Example
|-
| colspan="2" |[[
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[pointing breed|Pointing]]
|[[Pointing dog|Pointer]]s||[[Image:English pointer.jpg|none|100px]]||[[Pointer (dog breed)|English Pointer]]
|-
|[[Setter]]s||[[Image:EnglishSetter9 fx wb.jpg|none|100px
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Water dog|Water (flushing) dog]]
|[[Spaniel]]s||[[Image:Bojars's english cocker spaniel.jpg|none|100px
|-
|[[Water dog]]s||[[Image:waterdog_standard_poodle01.JPG|none|100px
|}
== Method of work ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2023}}
Although classified according to method of work, gun dogs often have skills extending beyond the tasks outlined for their classification. Depending upon how they are
=== Pointers and setters ===
[[File:Johann Wenzel Peter - A pointer and two setters in a classical landscape.jpg|thumb|Painting of a Pointer and two Setters by [[Johann Wenzel Peter]] circa 1829]]
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
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.
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If a bird is downed, the dogs are instructed to search for and retrieve it with the command ''dead bird'', or simply ''dead''.
===
[[File:Flushing Spaniels.jpg|thumb|An English Springer Spaniel (Liver and White) and English Cocker Spaniel (Blue Roan)]]
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 [[common pheasant|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 breed]]s 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. A dog which does this successfully is referred to as "steady to wing and shot". Steadiness is the hallmark of the finished spaniel.
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=== Retrievers ===
[[File:Labrador-retriever.jpg|thumb|A yellow male adult Labrador Retriever]]
[[Retriever]]s 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". Retrievers often are expected 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. During a typical day of shooting, additional birds are frequently 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.
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*[[Barbet (dog)|Barbet]]
*[[Bracco Italiano]]
*[[Braque du Bourbonnais]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gundogmag.com/breeds/breed-profile-braque-dauvergne/|title=Breed Profile: Braque d'Auvergne - Gun Dog Magazine|date=1 June 2016|
*[[Brittany (dog)|Brittany]]
*[[Burgos Pointer]]
*[[Drentsche Patrijshond]]
*[[Cesky Fousek]]
*[[Poodle
*[[German Longhaired Pointer]]
*[[German Shorthaired Pointer]]
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*[[Sussex Spaniel]]
*[[Welsh Springer Spaniel]]
*[[Spanish Water Dog]]
*[[Spinone Italiano]]
*[[Stichelhaar]]
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==Kennel club classification==
When competing in [[conformation show]]s most [[kennel club]]s, including [[The Kennel Club]] group pedigree gun dog breeds together in their own gun dog group, whilst some such as the [[American Kennel Club]] group them in a sporting group.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/Default.aspx?group=GDGS |title=Gundog Group |author=<!--Not stated-->
== See also ==
*[[
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Gundogs}}
{{Domestic dog}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Hunting dogs]]▼
[[Category:Gundogs| ]]
[[Category:Dog types]]
▲[[Category:Hunting dogs]]
[[de:Schießhund]]
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