Some gun dog breeds are specialized in locating and flushing out birds, chasing them out into the open (spaniels and retrievers) and others are specialized in locating and pointing (pointers and setters), so the hunter can sneak up and take a shot. Other types of gun dog breeds do well at both locating and carefully bringing them back to their owners. Gun dogs can also participate in competitions, like field trials, where their skills are put to the test. Let’s take a look at 10 of the breeds that make great gun dog companions.
1. English Springer Spaniel
Spaniels are sometimes referred to as flushing spaniels. A variety of spaniels have been bred to flush out birds for hunters but one of the most popular breeds is the English springer spaniel. These are medium-sized dogs, weighing around 40-50 pounds. They have long white fur mixed with other colors like black, tan and liver. They also have characteristically long ears that dangle on the side of their heads.
2. Boykin Spaniel
Boykins are a newer spaniel breed bred originally in South Carolina in the early 1900s. Hunting along the Wateree River Swamp required hunters to travel in small boats to access the best areas. The dogs like Labrador retrievers they used for hunting were too big for the boats. So, they began the process of breeding a smaller dog that had the same tenacity as retrievers. Boykins weigh between 30-40 pounds and get to be about 18 inches tall. They have longer coats that are a uniform dark brown, ranging from deep chocolate to liver. One unique feature of the Boykin is that it has webbed toes that make it an excellent swimmer. This is why the South Carolinian’s loved using them to hunt for waterfowl.
3. Labrador Retriever
As the name suggests, Labrador retrievers are natural retrievers, but they are also excellent trackers and flushers. Members of Pheasants Forever prefer labs the most, but because of the versatility and overall sweet temperament of these dogs, they are also one of the most popular dog breeds in America. They have a short but double-layered coat that comes in three colors: yellow, black and chocolate. A fun fact is that a mother lab can have puppies with a variety of colors in the same litter! Labs are medium to large dogs ranging in size from 55-80 pounds and standing 21.5-24.5 inches tall. They love to swim and are excellent with children and other dogs.
4. Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are similar to Labrador retrievers but have a thicker longer coat that is typically golden. Their lush coats can vary from a light golden to a reddish golden color. Their friendly faces match their carefree gait that says they are ready for anything. Goldens are 55-75 pounds and 21.5-24 inches tall. Like labs, they love to swim, which makes them excellent hunting dogs for waterfowl, but their versatility makes them wonderful upland hunters too. Just like labs they are great with children and other dogs. Hunters that use their dogs as retrievers want their dogs to gently return the birds without damage. Well, looks like Goldens are one of the best. A video from People Magazine shows Golden retrievers being tested to see if they can hold an egg in their mouth without breaking. The video shows that time and time again, this is no big problem for the gentle Golden!
5. English Pointer
Pointers, as the name implies, describes the hunting behavior of these dogs where they track a quarry (or prey). Instead of chasing the quarry to flush it out for the hunters, the dogs freeze and stare in the direction of the animals, “pointing” it out for the hunters. English pointers can cover a large range when hunting and they work well with other dogs. They have great stamina and seem to enjoy training and hunting. Pointers are medium-large dogs weighing 45-75 pounds and growing 23-28 inches tall. They are lean dogs that are athletic with excellent endurance making them good pets for runners. As hunting dogs, they are great upland hunters and work well in warmer climates. This breed dates back to the early 1650s originating in England.
6. German Shorthaired Pointer
In the AKC Gun Dog Championship in 2021, German Shorthaired Pointers took 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in the Pointing field trials! Not bad for a breed as a whole. German Shorthaired Pointers (GSP’s) are a lean muscular dog similar to English Pointers. They are bred to be all-around hunters who can hunt, point, and retrieve. They are also versatile and can be trained to find rabbits, raccoons, and deer as well. These dogs are 45-70 pounds and grow to be 21-25 inches tall.
7. Vizsla
In the AKC Gun Dog Championship in 2021, Vizslas took 1st place in both the Walking and Non-Walking events! They also placed 3rd and 4th in the Walking event. Pretty impressive! Vizslas were born to hunt and are excellent in the field and water. They are lean dogs that are bit smaller than their English counterparts, weighing 45-60 pounds. They are most recognizable by their short golden-rust colored coat. Because of their stamina they also make good running partners.
8. English Setter
Setters are a breed of dog that has long been trained to hunt. They were originally trained to “set” or crouch down when they spotted quarry, but now they follow the tradition of pointing. English setters are common gun dogs, but other common setters are the Irish Setter, the Irish Red and White Setter, and the Gordon Setter. English setters are medium-large sized dogs that have a short, speckled coat. They can get to be as big as 80 pounds, but many are closer to 45-75 pounds. English setters are primarily used for upland bird hunting. They have a gentle temperament and get along well with children and other dogs.
9. Brittany (Brittany Spaniel)
These dogs were originally called Brittany spaniels but after years of experience their characteristics match that more closely with pointers and setters, so now they are simply called Brittanys. They are excellent upland bird dogs and are smaller, between 30-40 pounds and 17-20 inches. Despite their smaller size they can cover a large range when out on the hunting field. Their coat is long and wavy with white and orangish or liver markings. They are also great family pets!
10. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner Club of America hosts its own National Walking Championship specifically for their breed. The past two years it has been held as part of the AKC Championships. Weimaraners are a skilled all-around gun dog, being excellent at pointing and retrieving. They were originally bred to hunt larger prey like boar, deer, and even bear, but are now valuable upland hunters. Weimaraners are lean, agile dogs that have a sleek gray coat that almost looks hairless. They are 55-90 pounds and can get to be 27 inches tall. They make excellent family pets as well, are eager learners, and get along well with children.
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