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Bird Dogs are canines that have flushing, retrieving, or pointing instincts. These dogs can be trained and used while bird hunting, or upland hunting. Bird dogs are responsible for tracking birds by scent or sight to lead hunters in the right direction. Other bird dogs are trained to flush the birds when the hunter is ready to shoot (spooks the bird into flight) while others are trained to retrieve the game after the kill is made.

Most bird dogs can be trained to perform three major hunting tasks: pointing, flushing, and retrieving. Dogs can be trains to do any combination of these three concentrations, but particular breeds are generally known for only one of the tasks, being titled either a pointer, a flusher, or a retriever.

Pointing
These dogs act on instinct to locate the birds for the hunter. The dog's training is focused on getting the dog to point and not chase after the birds.

Flushing
These dogs are trained to stay near the hunter and flush, or rush the prey into the air, when the hunter is close enough for the kill.

Retrieving
These dogs are trained to collect the prey after the hunter's kill.

Pointers
English Pointer

English pointers date back to around 1650 (Upland Bird Hunting)

German Shorthaired Pointer

Spanish Pointer

Setters
Setters are mainly responsible for hunting grouse and woodcock. Setters have longer hair to keep them warm from the cold in the North and to protect their skin from the thickets they hunt in. They are known to be good bird hunting dogs as well as good family dogs.

English Setter The modern English setter dates back to 1825. The English setter is the most commonly used bird dog in North America

Irish Setter

Gordon Setter

Brittany Spaniel

Italian Spinone

Vizsla

Weimaraner

Flushers
Boykin Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel

English Springer Spaniel

Retrievers
Chesapeake Retriever

Curly Coated Retriever

Flat Coated Retriever

Golden Retriever

Labrador Retriever

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Training
Beginning training at an early age with hunting dogs is almost vital. It is easiest to get the dogs to listen when training begins when they are a puppy, so it is encouraged to start training as early as possible with the dog.

Unlike house dogs, the importance of training a dog to do basic commands, such as stay and come, are important for the survival of the dog in some hunting conditions.