While there are many different types of hunting dogs, one that receives much attention is labeled as a “gun dog”. What exactly is a gun dog and what type of hunting can it be expected to excel at? A gun dog is not a specific breed of dog. In fact it could be a retriever, a pointer, a setter, a spaniel, or one of the many versatile hunting dogs. The thing that earns a dog the title of gun dog is his performance in the field. As the name gun dog suggests, this is a dog that is able to hunt with you in many venues….
You simply grab your gun, your trained dog and head to the field. While many gun dogs are great at waterfowl hunting, their primary strength is usually upland hunting. Pheasant, quail, grouse, dove etc. are among the type of birds a gun dog will proficiently hunt. Many gun dogs are able to quarter a field in search of birds on the ground while others may stay at the hunters heel awaiting their chance at a retrieve. As with any hunting dog, perfect obedience is always a plus! A dog who comes when called, has good manners, and is always under control is a plus in every hunting scenario.
A good gundog should hold steady when a gun shot is fired while waiting for a command to either continue hunting or to make a retrieve. Once a bird has been fetched, the dog should gently deliver it to the hunters hand. While it is not as common in the United States as it is abroad, may gun dogs are also used to aid in hunting rabbits as well. Here again a gentle hand delivery is expected. A good gun dog must have a good nose allowing him to scent birds from great distances in heavy cover. The sooner he smells the bird the quicker he can efficiently move in for the point, flush, or retrieve. Extreme conditioning is an absolute must for a gun dog as he or she will often be asked to run miles in a field under various weather and terrain conditions.
A gundog is not a robot like many hunting dogs seem to be. He hunts independently using his God-given ability and breeding lineage to the fullest. A gun dog and his owner are true partners and must operate as a team. For this reason countless hours afield as a team are necessary for a gun dog to reach maximum potential. The more he hunts the better he gets. A simplified way of thinking of a good gun dog is to imagine you were going into the field hunting small game, birds, or fowl. This is the dog who would be at your side obediently assisting you in the location and recovery of your game. Without a doubt, a great gun dog exponentially increases the pleasure and effectiveness of the hunt! Happy hunting and may your gun dog live many years and enrich your life!
