Page 52 - Dog

Sporting dogs English setter holds a stick in training a sporting
An object for
its mouth, in the same way
as it would a bird
dog to become used
to holding prey in
its mouth
Spaniels, setters, pointers,
and retrievers all fall within
the category of dogs called
“sporting dogs.” Today,
sporting dogs are mostly
used to help hunters shoot
READY, AIM, FIRE
Above all else, the game birds. For example,
hunter’s dog must not pointers and setters use their
be afraid of the noise
of a gun. sharp eyes and keen noses to
find the game. Then they point their body toward
the bird and freeze, to guide the hunter. Sporting
dogs must also have “soft” mouths so that they can
fetch, or retrieve, the dead or wounded prey undamaged by
their teeth (pp. 40–41). These breeds are not usually aggressive,
having been originally bred to live together in kennels. They
respond very well to training – for this reason they are raised
not only for sport but also as house dogs and companions. The
Labrador retriever is probably the most popular animal
companion and helper dog (pp. 44–45) in the world.

English setter’s thick
coat enables it to hunt
in winter and to
endure the cold weather

BRINGING
HOME A BIRD
The retriever is
trained to retrieve
(bring back to the hunter)
AT THE END OF THE DAY game after it has been shot.
Along with their hunting
dogs (pp. 40–41) and a
horse, these hunters,
wearing hacking
jackets and riding
breeches and
holding their Setters and pointers
guns, are at rest often hold up one front
after a long foot as they “freeze” into
day’s hunt. position before the shoot

RED-HAIRED BEAUTY
The Irish, or red, setter has a silky coat and a gentle nature.
However, the red setter is a high-strung and headstrong breed,
and it is often considered to be unreliable as a sporting dog.

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