What types of dogs are bird dogs?

Bird dogs are a type of gun dog historically bred for hunting birds and waterfowl. The term “bird dog” refers to a dog’s natural ability and instinct to point at birds. When a bird dog senses game nearby, it will freeze in place and point in the direction of the bird with its muzzle to alert the hunter. The major types of dogs used as bird dogs include spaniels, setters, pointers, and retrievers.

Spaniels

Spaniels are one of the oldest types of bird dogs. Originally bred as land spaniels for flushing game out of dense brush, they were developed into specialized breeds for hunting waterfowl. The major types of spaniels used as bird dogs include:

• American Water Spaniel – Bred as an all-around hunting dog and retriever for waterfowl in the United States.
• Boykin Spaniel – Known as the “swamp dog” for hunting ducks and upland birds in the swamplands of South Carolina.
• Clumber Spaniel – Developed to find and retrieve birds for hunters in dense underbrush in England.
• Cocker Spaniel – Originated as a hunting dog for woodcock in England but now often kept as pets.
• English Springer Spaniel – Historic hunting partner for finding and flushing upland game birds for hunters.
• Field Spaniel – Specialized hunting spaniel bred for its ability to find and retrieve game within gun range.
• Irish Water Spaniel – Used as an avid bird dog and retriever for waterfowl due to its thick waterproof coat.
• Sussex Spaniel – Built low and compact to hunt in heavy cover and retrieve wounded birds in dense vegetation.
• Welsh Springer Spaniel – Similar to the English Springer Spaniel and historically used to hunt upland game birds.

Spaniels use their excellent sense of smell and tracking ability to locate birds in dense cover. They flush birds into the air while staying within gun range. Their energetic nature and desire to hunt make spaniels well-suited for spending long days in the field searching for birds.

Setters

Setters get their name from their distinctive “setting” or pointing stance when finding birds. The major types of setters include:

• English Setter – Known as the “laverack setter” for its superb bird finding and pointing ability developed by Edward Laverack in the 1800s.
• Gordon Setter – Originated in Scotland and used by hunters for finding and pointing upland game birds.
• Irish Setter – Bred for hunting upland game and praised for its beautiful red coat.
• Irish Red and White Setter – A variation of the Irish Setter with a red and white coat also used for upland gamebird hunting.

Setters range ahead of the hunter in search of birds. When they catch the scent of nearby game, they will stop abruptly, crouch, and point toward the bird’s location with their muzzle. This “freeze” pose alerts the hunter to be ready. Setters are prized for this innate ability to locate birds combined with their obedience in staying pointed until given the command to flush the birds into flight for the shot. Their swift gait and boundless energy make setters excellent bird-finding machines covering large areas of open land.

Pointers

As their name suggests, pointers are another type of pointing breed specialized for finding upland game. The major pointer breeds include:

• English Pointer – Considered one of the best upland bird hunting dogs due to its ability to locate and point birds with minimal training.
• French Brittany – An ancient French breed renowned for its intensity and eagerness when pointing birds.
• German Longhaired Pointer – A versatile hunting dog proficient at tracking, pointing, and retrieving both fur and feathered game.
• German Shorthaired Pointer – An all-purpose bird dog breed perfect for hunting pheasant, quail, grouse, and waterfowl.
• German Wirehaired Pointer – Distinctly recognized by its wiry, waterproof coat ideal for retrieving waterfowl on land or from the water.
• Italian Spinone – An ancient Italian breed with a powerful nose used for finding birds in thick underbrush and marshes.
• Vizsla – Originated in Hungary as an excellent pointer and retriever for upland bird hunting.
• Weimaraner – Known as the “gray ghost” for its unique coat and ability to stealthily locate and point birds.

When on the hunt, pointers range in front relying on their excellent sight and sense of smell to locate birds. Once they detect game, they will abruptly stop and point with their body toward the bird. This alerts the hunter to be prepared for the flush and shot. Pointers are exceptionally intelligent, obedient, and have the stamina to hunt all day in fields and forests searching for upland game birds.

Retrievers

The major retriever breeds used most often as bird dogs include:

• Chesapeake Bay Retriever – Known as the “Chessie,” it was bred to hunt waterfowl in the freezing waters of Chesapeake Bay.
• Curly-Coated Retriever – Originated in England as gamekeepers’ dogs adept at retrieving upland birds and waterfowl.
• Flat-Coated Retriever – Developed in England specifically for duck hunting and often praised for its versatility.
• Golden Retriever – Intelligent and gentle breed equally capable on land and water for hunting birds.
• Labrador Retriever – The most popular breed for duck, goose, and upland bird hunting due to its easy trainability and eagerness to work.
• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever – Bred in Nova Scotia to lure ducks within gunshot range for hunters.

Retrievers have a soft mouth enabling them to retrieve downed birds on land or from the water without damaging the meat. Their water-repellent coats allow them to withstand freezing water and harsh conditions while hunting. They are prized for their keen nose, intelligence, and desire to please their handlers. This makes them highly trainable as bird dogs and excellent family companions in the offseason.

Hunting Abilities

While individual breeds have varying strengths, in general bird dogs are valued for:

• Nose – An excellent sense of smell to locate birds hidden in cover or vegetation.
• Marking – Precisely noting where birds land after being flushed or shot to guide the hunter or aid in retrieval.
• Obedience – Taking hand and whistle signals to aide in the hunt and retrieval.
• Perseverance – Tenacity and endurance to hunt all day in challenging terrain and conditions.
• Pointing – Indicating the presence and position of game by standing motionless with the muzzle pointing in the direction of the bird’s location.
• Retrieving – Locating and carefully returning shot birds without damaging the meat.
• Search – Diligently quartering fields and waters to find any game present within the hunting area.
• Soft Mouth – Delivering birds to hand without bruising or piercing the skin.
• Swimming – Capable and willing to enter water to retrieve waterfowl.
• Tracking – Using scent to follow wounded game on land or in the water.

With proper breeding, socialization, and training, bird dogs utilize these natural abilities to be productive hunting partners in the field.

Ideal Qualities

When selecting a puppy or adult dog as a potential bird dog, there are several behavioral traits and tendencies to look for beyond just its breed. Ideal qualities include:

• Athleticism – Physical stamina and ability to cover varied terrain with agility and speed.
• Biddability – A strong desire to please their handler and follow direction.
• Courage – Bravery to hunt in harsh conditions, thick cover, and cold water.
• Drive – Intense prey and retrieval drives to energize and motivate the dog during long hunting days.
• Focus – The ability to ignore distractions and remain task-oriented.
• Intelligence – Quick wit and aptitude for learning to understand commands and hunting concepts.
• Nose – An exceptional sense of smell and scenting ability.
• Perseverance – Determination and endurance to keep working even during difficult conditions or after long hours.
• Trainability – An inherent willingness to accept direction and obey.

Dogs exhibiting these qualities have the potential to become stellar bird dogs with proper nurturing, socialization, and training.

Training

While bird dogs rely heavily on natural instinct, training is essential to developing a finished and polished hunting partner. Basic obedience provides control and establishes the human as the leader. More advanced training develops key skills including:

• Marking – Teaching the dog to note precisely where birds fall.
• Nose work – Building scenting skills through tracking and finding hidden objects.
• Pointing – Encouraging the dog’s natural tendency to point and hold birds through steadying drills.
• Quartering – Teaching the dog to systematically traverse the hunting ground.
• Retrieving – Developing a reliable fetch and delivery with a soft mouth grip.
• Transitioning – Switching promptly from land to water retrieves.
• Whistle and hand signals – Responding consistently to silent direction from the hunter.

With regular short sessions employing positive reinforcement techniques, bird dogs can master these skills. It’s also important to expose the dog to birds and simulated hunts using launchers or planted dead game birds early on. This imprints their primary purpose and prepares them for the sights, sounds, and experiences of real hunting scenarios.

Popular Breeds

While any breed can potentially be trained as a bird dog if they exhibit the necessary traits, some breeds rise to the top as favorites of hunters and field trial competitors. According to the American Kennel Club, the most popular pointers and retrievers used as bird dogs include:

Labrador and golden retrievers have held the top spots for years thanks to their eager-to-please attitudes, intelligence, versatility, and reputations as wonderful family companions. The boykin spaniel and Chesapeake Bay retriever are less common breeds gaining popularity as bird dogs among waterfowl hunters. Field trial favorites like English springer spaniels, German shorthaired pointers and setters such as Irish setters and Brittanys are also mainstay upland bird dog breeds.

Top Field Trial Breeds

Success in field trials demonstrates a breed’s abilities and traits as a bird dog. Field trials are competitions that simulate actual hunting scenarios to test dogs’ abilities. According to entry data from the American Field, the most common breeds entered into pointing breed field trials in 2022 were:

1. English Pointer
2. German Shorthaired Pointer
3. German Wirehaired Pointer
4. Brittany
5. Irish Setter

For retrievers, the most popular 2022 field trial breeds were:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Golden Retriever
3. Flat-Coated Retriever
4. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
5. Boykin Spaniel

Success at these competitions demonstrates key bird dog traits like athleticism, trainability, perseverance, courage, and the innate ability to mark, point, and retrieve birds.

Professional Breeders

Those seeking a puppy with potential to become an exceptional bird dog can get referrals to reputable breeders from hunting dog or breed clubs. Responsible breeders focus on health, ability, and temperament in their breeding programs. Key things to look for in a quality bird dog breeder include:

• Dogs actively hunted or competed to prove ability.
• Health testing on breeding stock.
• Puppies raised with proper socialization.
• Experience and mentorship available.
• Dogs with titles/certifications.
• A good reputation among fellow hunters and competitors.
• Breeding for sound temperament.
• Careful pedigree selection.
• Registries with breed clubs.
• Only a few litters per year.

Dedicated bird dog breeders invest significant time and effort into thoughtful breeding guided by experience and expertise. They focus on producing dogs with potential to follow in their bloodlines’ paw prints as contributing members of the breed.

Rescue Dogs

Some overlooked gems with potential as bird dogs can also be found awaiting adoption in shelters and breed-specific rescue groups. The key is properly evaluating each dog for the right traits. Things to look for in a rescue dog include:

• Strong prey and fetch drive.
• A high energy level and athleticism.
• A strong nose and tendency to use it.
• An intense focus and ability to ignore distractions.
• An eagerness to please and follow direction.
• A confident, friendly temperament.

rescues from sporting breeds like Labradors, golden retrievers, pointers, and spaniels can make ideal project dogs. With time, training, and exposure they can overcome their past and shine as bird dogs. There are plenty of dedicated trainers up for this rewarding challenge. Adopters should still be prepared to commit to any potential issues a rescue dog’s history may involve.

Conclusion

From seasoned field trial competitors to family pets, bird dogs come in many breeds, shapes and sizes. But they all share key traits passed down through generations of thoughtful breeding, imprinting, and honing through training. By understanding the history, purpose, abilities, and qualities that make an ideal bird dog, hunters and trainers can find or produce dogs with the potential to excel. A good bird dog becomes an indispensable hunting partner – naturally putting birds in the bag while creating lasting memories afield.