Hunting dog

From Free net encyclopedia

A hunting dog refers to any dog who assists humans in hunting. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for the many tasks hunters require that they fulfill. The major categories of hunting dog include hounds, terriers, curs type dogs, and gun dogs. Among these categories further divisions can be made based upon the skill sets that the dogs possess.

Hunters with dogs report the satisfaction that the dogs seem to exhibit. Excitement is evident as they see the hunters load weapons, take to the field, and begin the hunt.

For a list of breeds of each type, see the detailed articles for each category:

Main category	Subcategory	Example	Summary
Hounds	Hounds are used to trail and sometimes to kill game. Hounds are often hunted in packs leading the hunters on long chases ending in the quarry being treed (chased into a tree) or killed by the pack. Many fur bearing animals such as raccoon, coyote, and large predators are hunted with hounds. Hounds are further divided into sight hounds and scent hounds depending upon the primary sense used to locate quarry.
	Sight hounds	Image:WhippetWhiteSaddled wb.jpg Whippet	In general, sight hounds are extremely fast dogs.
	Scent hounds	Image:Memphis 488.jpg Coonhound	Scent hounds are hounds that primarily hunt by scent rather than sight. They are generally regarded as having some of the most sensitive noses among canines. Most of these breeds have deep, booming voices and use them actively when running and especially when following a scent trail.
	Lurchers	Lurcher	Sight hounds mixed with terriers.
Gun dogs	Gun dogs are used primarily by small game hunters using shotguns. Gun dogs come in three primary classes based upon their primary skill set. (Fergus, 2002) The classes are retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds.
	Retrievers	Image:Chesapeakebayretriever01-l.jpg Chesapeake Bay Retriever	Once classified as water spaniels, a retriever's primary role is to find and return shot game to the hunter. As water dogs, the retrievers are unsurpassed. They can spend long hours in a duck blind and, after the hunter has fired at multiple ducks or geese, they can visually spot and remember the location of downed birds. At command, they dive into the icy water, swim out, and retrieve the birds one by one. They can follow hand, verbal, and whistle commands at great distance as the hunter directs them to the downed bird. They typically have large, gentle muzzles to mitigate any potential damage to the game.
	Setters	Image:EnglishSetter9 fx wb.jpg English Setter	Setters in particular have a long history as upland gun dogs. They have a native ability to discover and point at upland game birds. Once the hunter approaches, at his command they flush the birds to fly and for the hunter to shoot.
	Spaniels	Image:Kerygma Cockers Mistyside.jpg English Cocker Spaniel	Spaniels have been used to hunt for hundreds of years. Selective breeding has refined the skills of the various flushing spaniel breeds to provide the upland bird and small game hunter a choice of unique capacities with all breeds also being excellent companion and family dogs. Flushing Spaniels are used to locate and flush (or spring) game for the hunter. They work close to the hunter, ensuring that the hunter will be within shotgun range when the game is flushed.
	Pointers	Image:Pudelpointer on point.jpg Pudelpointer	Pointers are dogs trained to locate and point at small game for a hunter. They freeze or point upon locating game to avoid flushing it before the hunter is in place. They accomplish the same task as spaniels but in a different manner. The difference between the two lies in the techniques employed. Pointing breeds cover much more range, pointing (or setting) the game upon discovery. This allows the hunter to approach and flush the game himself or herself.
	Water dogs	Image:Bo WC .jpg Poodle	Water dogs are a subclass of retrievers. Most retrievers are decended from dogs known as water spaniels. Many of the oldest breeds of retriever have retained their traditional names.
Terriers		Image:Lakeland Terrier 600.jpg Lakeland Terrier	Terriers are used almost exclusively to hunt mammals. Terriers usually are used to locate the den, sette, or living space of the target animal and then bolt, capture, or kill the animal by means of force. Many of the animals hunted with terriers are pest species. Examples of this are Jack Russel Terriers used to hunt ground hogs and fox in the United States or Fell Terriers used to hunt fox and badger (not always legally) in the United Kingdom. Hunters who work terriers are referred to as terriermen.
Curs		Image:CatahoulaRedWhitePair wb.jpg Catahoula Leopard Dog	Curs are hunted similarly to terriers, though usually on larger game. In fact, the Staffordshire terrier is a common breed mixed in hunting cur litters. Curs often hunt hogs, raccoon, cougars, and other large mammals.
Big Game Hunters		Argentine Dogo

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Details about some types

Flushing spaniels combine fine hunting, flushing, and retrieving skills. English Springer Spaniels are popular gundogs for a variety of cover, including prairies, but closely followed in popularity by American Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels, who are adept at finding and flushing game out of thick cover, then retrieving fallen game to the hunter. Clumbers, Sussex, and Field Spaniels are also increasingly popular for their slower, methodical hunting pattern. And, while all flushing spaniel breeds are good retrievers, including water work, the American Water Spaniel and the Boykin Spaniel are especially noted for their water work.

When trained, Beagles are particularly adept at chasing through thick briars and brush after rabbits. Many hound breeds are excellent at treeing raccoons during hunting season.

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References

American Spaniel Club
Deeley, Martin. "Working Gundogs: An Introduction to Training and Handling. (1990,reprinted 2002)The Crowood Press. ISBN 1 85223 764 3.
Fergus, Charles. Gun Dog Breeds, A Guide to Spaniels, Retrievers, and Pointing Dogs, The Lyons Press, 2002. ISBN 1-58574-618-5
Roettger, Anthony Z. and Schleider, Benjamin H. III. (2004) Urban Gun Dogs: Training flushing dogs for home and field. The Writer's Collective. ISBN 1 59411-056-6.

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