Gun dog

A group of Gun dogs as printed in Dogs of All Nations by W.E. Mason in 1915

Gun dogs, or bird dogs, are types of hunting dogs developed to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game, usually birds. Gun dogs are divided into three primary types: retrievers, flushing dogs, and pointing breeds. Some kennel clubs define a Gundog Group for gun dogs, while other kennel clubs include them in the Sporting Group.

Description

Gun dogs, or bird dogs, are types of hunting dogs developed to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game, usually birds.

Types

There are several types of gundogs, each type consisting of multiple breeds. Gun dogs are divided into three primary types: retrievers, flushing dogs, and pointing breeds.

Type	Example
Pointers		English Pointer
Retrievers		Golden Retriever
Setters		English Setter
Flushing Spaniels		English Cocker Spaniel
Water dogs		Standard Poodle

Method of work

Although classified according to method of work, gun dogs often have skills which extend beyond the tasks outlined for their classification. Depending upon how they are trained, dogs may be useful in a variety of hunting situations. The methods described here are analogous to human-canine hunting going back tens of thousands of years. Obviously, firearms were not the distance-weapon at that time, but a boomerang or other thrown weapon achieves the same result, with exactly the same canid behaviors.

Pointers and setters

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 or shuck of corn.

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.

If a bird is downed, the dogs are instructed to search for and retrieve it with the command dead bird, or simply dead.

Flushing dogs

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 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 breeds 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. The dog which does this successfully is referred to as steady to wing and shot. Steadiness is the hallmark of the finished spaniel.

When a bird is shot, the dog should mark where it fell and wait until given the command to retrieve. Once commanded, the dog will race to the point of fall, pick up the bird, and return it to the handler.

Retrievers

A yellow male adult Labrador Retriever

A hunter poses next to a Labrador retriever in harvested corn field, with a shotgun broken over his arm.

Hunting with a Labrador retriever near Battle Ground, Indiana

Retrievers 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". 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 it is not uncommon for additional birds to be 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.

List of gundog breeds

Competition

Some kennel clubs define a Gundog Group for gun dogs, while other kennel clubs include them in the Sporting Group.

External links

Dogs
Mind	Barking Behavior Communication Emotions Human-canine bond Intelligence
Health	Aging Anatomy Coat Diseases Heartworm Odor Rabies Reproduction Skin disorders Vaccination
Training	Clicker Crate training Collar Harness Training Housebreaking Obedience Puppy Rescue Socialization
Types	Bandogs Bay dogs Bird dogs Catch dogs Companion dogs Crossbred dogs Curs Eskimo dogs Feral dogs Fighting dogs Guard dogs Gun dogs Herding dogs Hounds Hunting dogs Lap dogs Livestock guardian dogs Mongrels Mountain dogs Molossers Meat dogs Pointers Purebred dogs Retrievers Setters Scenthounds Sighthounds Sled dogs Spaniels Spitz Street dogs Terriers Turnspit Dogs Village dogs Water dogs Wild dogs
Breeds	List of breeds List of crossbreeds Breed Groups Breeding Conformation Crossbreeds Extinct breeds Most popular Purebred Rare breeds
Work	Assistance dog Attack dog Detection dog Guard dog Guide dog Hearing dog Herding dog Hunting dog Livestock guardian dog Pet dog Police dog Search and rescue dog Service dog Sled dog Therapy dog War dog Working Group (dogs)
Human–dog interaction	Animal testing Baiting Breed-specific legislation Dog attack Dog park Human-canine bond Dog sports Dog walking Dog daycare Dog grooming Famous dogs Therapy Fear of dogs Dog license Dog meat Dog food Dogs in religion Origin
Book Category Portal

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.