Gun dogs or bird dogs are types of hunting dogs developed to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game , typically various fowls that are shot down on the flight. The term hunting dog is broad and includes all breeds and skills of hunting canines, but "gun dogs" refers to canines that are trained to work alongside a loud firearm while hunting or retrieving game. Gun dogs are divided into three main categories: pointers and retrievers, setters and spaniels, and water dogs.
33-542: There are several breeds used as gundogs with varying instinctive skill sets for each one. Gun dogs are divided into three primary types: retrievers , pointing breeds , and water dogs . Although classified according to method of work, gun dogs often have skills extending beyond the tasks outlined for their classification. Depending upon how they are trained, dogs may be useful in a variety of hunting situations. The methods described here are analogous to human-canine hunting going back tens of thousands of years. Upon reaching
66-413: A breed show , is a kind of dog show in which a judge , familiar with a specific dog breed , evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard . Dog shows can be in the means of evaluating dogs for breeding purposes. A conformation championship from a recognised national kennel club
99-716: A Grand Championship, 20 points are needed with two "majors". Next is the Grand Excellent Championship which may be awarded to dogs who accumulate 100 points and have won at least one Best in the show. Region is not a factor in determining points for a win in Canada—the point schedule is the same across the country. In Colombia , dog shows are maintained and organised by the Association Colombian Kennel Club (Asociacion Club Canino Colombiano) . Their conformation shows follow
132-404: A bird is downed, the dogs are instructed to search for and retrieve it with the command dead bird , or simply dead . When hunting upland game , flushing dogs (spaniels and retrievers) work much more closely with the hunter. Flushers will not cover the same amount of ground as a pointing dog as the flusher must be kept within shotgun distance. Flushing dogs are often used on birds that run from
165-481: A comparison of each dog to a judge's mental image of the ideal breed type as outlined in the individual breed's breed standard . Dog show judges attempt to identify dogs who epitomise the published standards for each breed. Some judgments must be subjective. As an example, what exactly entails a "full coat" or a "cheerful attitude", descriptions found in breed standards, can be learned different. Judges are generally certified to judge one or several breeds, usually in
198-487: A gun dog, a significant amount of thought and effort is given to breeding in specific desired traits into dogs from field bred lines that greatly enhance the training process. When breeding retrievers for field work, extensive consideration is given to: The average lifespan of a retriever is about 10–12 years. Some may live up to 15 years. Conformation show A dog show is an animal show , an event where dogs are exhibited. A conformation show , also referred to as
231-444: A majority of waterfowl hunting employs the use of small boats in winter conditions, retrievers are expected to remain sitting calmly and quietly until sent to retrieve. As birds move into range, a well-trained retriever will watch and follow the handler's gun as he shoots, marking, and remembering each bird that is downed. This is called "marking off the gun", and the downed birds are called "marks". Retrievers often are expected to recall
264-405: Is a show which requires dogs to be on display in an assigned location ( show bench ) during the entirety of the show, except when being shown in the ring, groomed for showing, or taken outside to eliminate. The purpose is for spectators and breeders to have an opportunity to see all the entered dogs. In the more common unbenched shows, dogs are required to be present only at assigned ring times. In
297-602: Is generally considered as an indication of merit. Many breeders consider championships a prerequisite for breeding. Some critics argue that the shows can encourage selective breeding of traits and lower genetic diversity . The first modern conformation dog show was held in Newcastle Town Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne , England , in June 1859. A conformation dog show is not a comparison of one dog to another but
330-488: Is their primary function. As a result, retriever breeds are bred for soft mouths and a great willingness to please, learn, and obey. A soft mouth refers to the willingness of the dog to carry game in its mouth without biting into it. "Hard mouth" is a serious fault in a hunting dog and is very difficult to correct. A hard-mouthed dog renders game unpresentable or at worst inedible. The retriever's willingness to please, patient nature and trainability have made breeds such as
363-595: The AKC and some other kennel clubs , as they thought that the introduction of their breeds to the show ring would lead to decreasing numbers of working dogs with adequate qualities. In August 2008, BBC1 televised a documentary film titled Pedigree Dogs Exposed , which investigated the subject of health issues affecting pedigree dogs in the United Kingdom, with a particular emphasis on dogs bred for showing. The programme provoked criticisms of kennel clubs. Following
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#1732787221409396-511: The American Kennel Club group them in a sporting group. Retriever A retriever is a type of gun dog that retrieves game for a hunter. Generally gun dogs are divided into three major classifications: retrievers, flushing spaniels , and pointing breeds . Retrievers were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage; retrievers are distinguished in that nonslip retrieval
429-605: The Labrador retriever and Golden retriever popular as a disability assistance dog . The outstanding reputation of the retriever has landed both the Labrador and the Golden retriever among the top 10 best dogs for children and families around the world. To carry out the duties of a gun dog, a retriever should be trained to perform these tasks: Although most individual retrievers have the raw capacity to be trained to perform as
462-821: The broadcast, the BBC withdrew its television coverage of the Crufts dog show from 2009, with other sponsors and partners also withdrawing support, including Pedigree Petfoods , the RSPCA , PDSA and the Dog's Trust . In response to the programme, the Kennel Club in the UK announced a review of all breed standards. They stated that they will impose a ban on breeding between dogs that are closely related and will impose greater monitoring to prevent unhealthy dogs from being entered. A bench show
495-593: The class earns 10 points in non-variety breeds and 5 in variety breeds, even if there are no other dogs to beat in the class. Competition Wins are wins over at least one other dog, whether in their own breed (such as going Best Fe/male or Best of Winners) or higher level (placing above at least one other dog in the group or Best/Reserve Best in Multi-Breed show). A championship requires a total of 100 points and three competition wins. Canadian Kennel Club shows are nearly identical to American Kennel Club dog shows, with
528-423: The disposition of other dogs in the field. They should readily comply if the handler casts them to an area of particular interest, such as a brush pile. When game is detected, a dog freezes, either pointing or crouching. If other dogs are present, they also freeze, "honoring" the first dog's point. The pointing dog remains motionless until the hunters are in position. Handlers give the command whoa , instructing
561-481: The dog is performing a retrieve. Retrievers are taught to ignore these "diversions" until the current retrieve has been completed. Also at times multiple dogs are used on a hunt, and retrievers are also taught to "honor" another dog's retrieve by remaining calm and quiet while the other dog is working. When competing in conformation shows most kennel clubs , including The Kennel Club group pedigree gun dog breeds together in their own gun dog group, whilst some such as
594-443: The dog to remain still. What happens next depends on the dog's training. Some trainers train the dog to stay motionless while the hunter steps forward and flushes the game. Other trainers direct the dog to flush the game with a command such as get it! Pointing dogs excel on covey type birds such as bobwhite , quail , and grouse as these birds will hold in position well, allowing the hunter to approach and get into position. If
627-620: The exception of a "Canadian-Bred" class replacing the AKC's "American-Bred". The main difference is the number of points required for a Championship, and the way those points are calculated. Under the Canadian Kennel Club rules, 10 points are needed for a Championship, with wins awarded by at least three different judges and at least one "major" win of two or more points. Once a Championship is completed, dogs may earn points toward their Grand Championship. As of January 1, 2013, to reach
660-404: The field, the handler often will cast or direct the dog in a wide circle. Experienced dogs will search the edges of the field knowing that birds are usually found there. This wide run helps to burn off the dog's initial exuberance and may help the dog establish its bearings and form a "background" upon which game smells will be processed. The dog then begins working back and forth, starting near
693-539: The flight of the bird and mark the fallen birds for retrieval. A dog which does this successfully is referred to as "steady to wing and shot". Steadiness is the hallmark of the finished spaniel. When a bird is shot, the dog should mark where it fell and wait until given the command to retrieve. Once commanded, the dog will race to the point of fall, pick up the bird, and return it to the handler. Retrievers are typically used when waterfowl hunting , although they can also be employed in hunting upland birds as well. Since
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#1732787221409726-409: The hunter and slowly ranging out. The dog repeats this process as the hunters move through the field. How far a handler allows the dog to range is a matter of personal preference. When a pair of dogs work as a team, one works close in while the other ranges out in larger circles. If either dog becomes birdy, the other dog works its way over to assist. Good bird dogs are alert to their handlers and to
759-409: The hunter. On such birds as pheasant , an aggressive flush is necessary to spring the bird to wing. Flushing dogs excel on these types of bird because they do not point the birds, giving them little time for escape on the ground. Pointing breeds are used on such birds, but must be well trained to know when the bird pointed has moved. Once a bird has been flushed, the dog will sit or "hup" to watch
792-680: The judge, and only dogs with high ratings go on to compete against other dogs in the class. A dog must receive four international Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat International de Beauté (CACIB) to qualify for a championship; one must be won in the dog's own country, and at least two in other countries under at least three different judges. The Kennel Club also operates a separate show open only to mixed-breeds, Scruffts , which judges its contestants on character, health, and temperament with people and other dogs. There are seven classes per breed in American Kennel Club dog shows: The American-Bred and Open classes are mandatory for each show, while
825-455: The location of many downed birds in one sitting before they retrieve game. Once the shooting has ceased, the handler commands the dog to retrieve each bird that has been downed. If a dog did not see the bird fall, a retriever takes direction from the handler, who can use hand and whistle signals to guide the dog to the unseen downed bird. This is called a "blind" retrieve. During a typical day of shooting, additional birds are frequently downed while
858-512: The number of dogs competing and the area where the show is held. At least two wins must be a set of three or more points ("majors") under two different judges; at least one additional win under a third judge is also required. The rules for the United Kennel Club (UKC) use a different points system. A championship requires a combination of points and competition wins. Points are awarded at breed level for each win; for example, winning
891-540: The others are optional. In some cases, one or more of these classes may be divided by color, height, weight, or coat type. A dog can earn extra points during these awards, depending on the number of dogs of its sex and the Champions that were competing against it. In the American Kennel Club, a dog needs 15 points to become a Champion, with each win gaining anywhere from zero to five points depending on
924-658: The rules of the International Federation of Kennel Clubs. ( Fédération Cynologique Internationale ) . According to the ACCC, only purebred dogs recognised by the FCI are allowed to participate. Purebreds of Colombian origin must be registered with the ACCC, and therefore they must hold an LOC number (Number in the Colombian Book of Origins). In the United Kingdom, the international championship show Crufts
957-638: The same group , but a few "all-breed" judges can judge a large number of breeds. Dogs compete at dog shows to earn points or certification towards championship titles. The Kennel Club (UK) system, which is also used by the Australian National Kennel Council and in other countries, is considered the most difficult to earn a title under. Fédération Cynologique Internationale sponsors international shows that differ from other shows in that dogs first receive individual written descriptions of positive and negative qualities from
990-467: The selection of breeding dogs based solely upon appearance, which is seen by some as detrimental to working qualities and, at worst, as a promotion of eugenics . The shows have been criticized for encouraging breeding of traits that are harmful to the dogs; for example, the Pekingese dog who won at Britain's most prestigious dog show in 2003 had to be photographed while lying on an icepack after winning
1023-661: The show because the dog could not breathe well enough to efficiently cool his own overheated body. Breeding selective traits reduces genetic diversity , which can create some health problems in dogs. In the United States, some working dog breed organisations, such as the American Border Collie Association and the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America , have tried to fight to keep their breeds from being recognised by
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1056-618: Was first held in 1891. Since its centenary year in 1991, the show has officially been recognised as the world's largest and most prestigious dog show by Guinness World Records , with a total of 22,991 dogs being exhibited that year. 22,964 dogs were exhibited in 2008, 27 short of the previous record. The World Dog Show is sponsored by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale for international championships in conformation and other dog sports . The location rotates between member countries. The 2008 show
1089-833: Was held in Stockholm, Sweden ; the 2009 show in Bratislava , Slovakia ; and the 2010 show in Herning , Denmark . The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is an all-breed conformation show, historically held in the New York City area. It is one of a handful of benched shows in the United States. It is often compared to the World Dog Show ; the World Dog Show is considered a bit more valuable reputation-wise. Some critics state that conformation shows lead to
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