Page 223 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

GUNDOGS

GUNDOGS

Before the advent of firearms, hunters used dogs to help them locate and chase game. With the
introduction of guns, a different type of dog was required. Gundogs were developed to carry out
specific tasks and to work more closely with the hunters. The breeds fall into several categories

based on the type of work they were bred to perform.

The dogs in the gundog group, with nose, body, and tail aligned. Spaniels drive out, or flush, game birds,
which all hunt by scent, are classified A pointer remains motionless until forcing them to take wing into the line
broadly in three main divisions: the hunter either flushes out the of the guns. They watch where a bird
the pointers and setters, which locate game or instructs the dog to do so. falls and are usually sent to retrieve it.
prey; the spaniels, which flush game The Pointer (see p.254), which features This division includes small, silky-
out of cover; and the retrievers, in many old sporting portraits coated, long-eared dogs such as the
which collect fallen prey and bring alongside hunting squires and their Springer Spaniel (see p.224) and English
it back to the hunter. Breeds that “bags” of game birds, is a classic Cocker Spaniel (see p.222), used for
combine these functions are known example of the type. finding game on land, and less familiar
as HPR (hunt/point/retrieve) Setters also direct attention to breeds such as the Barbet and the
dogs and include the Weimaraner game by freezing. Typically used Wetterhoun, which specialize in
(see p.248), German Pointer to hunt quail, pheasant, and grouse, flushing waterbirds.
(see p.245), and the Vizsla these dogs crouch, or “set,” when The retrievers were bred specifically
(see p.246). they pick up a scent. Originally, for retrieving waterfowl. In common
Pointers have been used as hunting setters were trained to work with with some breeds of the spaniel division,
dogs since the 17th century. They hunters who caught game with nets these gundogs often have water-
have the extraordinary ability to while their dogs prevented the resistant coats. They are renowned for
indicate the location of prey by prey from making an escape on their “soft” mouths, and quickly learn
“pointing”—freezing into position the ground. to carry game without damaging it.

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