Brittany- This dog is well known as being a keen-nosed, sturdy, persevering, close-working pointing dog that will confidently go into thickets after pheasant, woodcock and grouse. It originates on the Brittany peninsula on the northwest coast of France. The Brittany instinctively points and retrieves. This dog has a stable and biddable disposition. It bonds well with its owner and prefers to live in the house rather than a kennel. Although this dog is friendly and affectionate, it can appear aloof. Training with a heavy hand can wreck a Brittany. Responds well to repetition. Its strong suit is its tendency to remain close to the gun, checking all likely looking cover patches while keeping in communication with the hunter. The Brittany is an excellent first dog for the inexperienced trainer and can be developed as a nice hunting companion in 11-12 months. Stands 17 1/2 “ to 20 ½” tall, and weights 30-40 lbs. The medium length coat is slightly wavy and provides good protection in thick cover. The coat color is white with orange patches or white with liver patches. The tail is either natural or docked at about 4” in length. A large number of Brittanys were bred as pets, so careful checking of pedigree is recommended before purchasing your new hunting companion.

English Pointer – This dog is the oldest of all the pointing breeds, and is the dog that is typically depicted as a hunting dog in paintings. Commonly sold as a “bird dog.” It is tough, high-spirited and classy. Can cover lots of ground and meet the demands of any upland game bird. Found commonly in commercial shooting preserves. This dog works well in expansive fields, so is useful when hunting bobwhite quail. This breed, while possessing the ability to rapidly cover great distances, is not a natural retriever, and must be trained in order to do so. The pointer has pointing and backing instinct. The pointer is quick to mature and shows potential to hunt at an early age. They need frequent, firm training, and are able to accept harsh discipline. They average between 45 and 55 pounds and have extremely short coats. Coat colors include white with liver, white-and-black, or lemon-and-white. Sometimes the coat is white with ticking. This breed is very business like and not demonstrative with their affection. They will greet their masters with a few tail wags. This dog adapts readily to kennel life.

English Setter - One of the fastest of the setter breeds and the oldest of the pointers, the setter is strong and tireless when working. Slightly above average retrieving range, this dog will check in with its master periodically. Two types of setters can be found depending on the lineage they stem from. So, anyone interested in a setter should research the pedigree thoroughly. They can be large, birdy and close working dogs that are a perfect hunting companion or lean, high-strung and fast pointers that are perfect for field trials. They work well on pheasant, woodcock and quail. The typical setter is a wonderful family dog that loves adults and children, including strangers. They are miserable if left alone all day. The setter can be headstrong if not trained. The training should be consistent, but not harsh in order to develop the dog into a family member that wants to please its master. Training can be slow, but this dog retains its lessons well. The setter needs a great deal of exercise. Coat colors White with orange, white with black or blue patches, tri-color. Weighs 44-66 pounds and stands 24-27 inches in height.

German Wirehaired Pointer - This dog was developed in Germany in the last half of the nineteenth century, and is everything the avid hunter could hope for. They can point and retrieve all game birds, and are even good duck retrievers. It is an infallible retriever and pointer that are steady, reliable and hardworking. These dogs are also known for their excellent noses. The wirehair’s thick water repellant coat of wiry hairs requires minimal care while protecting the dog from underbrush and rough terrain. The wirehair ahs two coats. The top layer is hard and course and repels water and thorns. The undercoat insulates the dog in cold weather and is shed in warmer weather. These two coats allow the dog to adapt to many climates. Its lack of beauty may be the reason it has never caught on in the United States, although with this dog’s work ethic, some consider it to be very pleasing to the eye. Friendly, affectionate and even-tempered, it makes a good family dog. Takes on the role of a natural watchdog, since it is suspicious of strangers. Can be willful at times. Weighs 62-72 pounds and stands 22-26 inches. Color is brown or brown or black roan (sprinkled with white hairs).

Story continues below
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
advertisement



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B>Gordon Setter – This dog is a native of Scotland that was developed in the eighteen century. It is a close range dog that has a strong work ethic, exceptional stamina and an average desire to retrieve. A levelheaded and tireless worker, it has been described as a near-perfect companion. Perfect dog for pheasants, grouse, woodcock and quail. It is a close-range dog that checks in frequently with its master. This dog was bred to run, so it requires a moderate amount of exercise. If the dog gets the exercise it needs, it is even-tempered and humorous, making a wonderful family dog and watchdog. Its fondness for humans does not typically extend outside of its family. Its long black and tan coat requires moderate grooming. Field bred Gordons may have a splash of white on their chest which is permissible in the field, but not in the show ring. They average 44-75 pounds, with the males being quite a bit larger than the females. If you desire a Gordon as a hunting companion, research pedigrees thoroughly as working lines and show lines have been split.

Vizsla- called an aristocrat; this Hungarian hunting dog is powerful with an elegant build and graceful movement and is noted to be the modern day hunting dog. It is considered the national hunting dog of Hungary that arose as a pointer and retriever of quail and partridge. It is a close to medium range worker on grouse, quail, pheasant, woodcock and other upland birds. It can be a willful dog that will test its master on occasion but overall wants to please its master. It is very easily trained as long as it is established who is in charge early in the young Vizsla’s life. Responds well to firm but low-key training