Gun Dogs
Breeds

Gun Dogs are categorised into groups according to their base skills, according to their backgrounds and physical characteristics.
Even before the invention and widespread use of firearms, many of these dogs were already in use as helpers for hunters.
Most Wildfowlers will choose Water dogs or Retrievers as a gundog, although it is not uncommon to see a spaniel or a setter out on the marsh.

The Water Dogs probably share a common history with the Far Eastern Herding dogs and are the oldest, historically, of the Gun Dogs.

The Pointers were developed as specialists in the "pointing out" of game for the hunter. They probably developed from the Scenthounds and became more refined in type as needs dictated.

The Setters developed from those dogs which had accompanied the falconers in Medieval times. They characteristically had a longer, fringed hair coat; and paused when they scented game, a characteristic specifically not desired in the Scenthounds.

The Flushing Spaniels were Setters refined for their ability to not only find and indicate the game, but also "flush" it out, giving the hunter the opportunity to net or shoot their game.

The Retrievers (land and water) are a heavier type, probably descended from the Mastiffs. Many of the retriever breeds were specificaly developed and refined in the British Isles.

Some breeds of gundog are listed here:

American Water Spaniel
Barbet
Boykin Spaniel
Bracco Italiano
Braque D'Auvergne
Braque de Grande Taille
Braque de Petite Taille
Braque du Bourbonnais
Braque Francais
Braque Saint-Germain
Brittany Spaniel
Cesky Fousek
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Curly-Coated Retriever
Deutscher Wachtelhund (German Spaniel)
Drentse Patrijshond
English Cocker Spaniel
English Pointer
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
Epagneul Blue de Picardie
Epagneul Breton
Epagneul Picard
Epagneul Pont-Audemer
Field Spaniel
Flat-coated Retriever
French Spaniel (Epagneul Francais)
German Longhaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Irish Red & White Setter
Irish Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Kooikerhondje
Large Munsterlander
Lagotto Romagnolo
Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Old Danish Bird Dog
Perdiguero de Burgos
Perdiguero Navarro
Portuguese Pointer (Perdiguero Portugueso)
Portuguese Water Dog
Pudelpointer
Small Munsterlander
Spanish Water Dog
Spinone Italiano
Stabyhoun
Standard Poodle
Sussex Spaniel
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

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If you require help or advice in choosing a breed of gundog, club members can ask a more experienced member of the club, sincethere are many breeds of gundog taht are owbed by club members.

BASC members can contact the gundog officer at the BASC who can help with most questions about gundog breeds that you may have.

Checkout the gundog links page for web sites that are soecific to gundogs.