The American Kennel Club currently recognizes 161 breeds of dogs. They divide those dogs into seven groups based on the dogs’ original function. One of the of the most popular of all the groups is the Sporting group.

 

The Sporting group contains the Pointers, the Setters, the Spaniels and the Retrievers. Some of America’s best-loved family dogs are Sporting dogs, such as the Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever and the American Cocker Spaniel.

 

According to the AKC the members of the Sporting group are naturally active and alert. They make likable, well-rounded companions. These dogs are remarkable for their instincts in water and woods and many of these breeds actively continue to participate in hunting and other field activities.

 

As the AKC points out, potential owners of Sporting dogs should realize that most of these dogs require regular, invigorating exercise.

 

Members of the AKC’s Sporting group include the following breeds:

 

American Water Spaniel

Brittany

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Clumber Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel

Curly-Coated Retriever

English Cocker Spaniel

English Setter

English Springer Spaniel

Field Spaniel

Flat-Coated Retriever

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Wirehaired Pointer

Golden Retriever

Gordon Setter

Irish Red and White Setter

Irish Setter

Irish Water Spaniel

Labrador Retriever

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Pointer

Spinone Italiano

Sussex Spaniel

Vizsla

Weimaraner

Welsh Springer Spaniel

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

 

The Pointers include the Pointer, the German Shorthaired Pointer, the German Wirehaired Pointer, the Vizsla and the Weimaraner. These dogs hunt the field through brush and grass and find the birds. When they find the game they go into a pointing stance to alert the hunter. The dogs differ in how fast the hunt, the amount of ground covered, the types of terrain they are used on, and whether or not they also hunt other game.

 

The Setters include the English, Irish, Irish Red and White, and Gordon Setters. These dogs were developed between 1300-1800 for finding birds in the British Isles. These breeds were actually in use before the use of guns. They hunted with falcons and nets. In the old days when the dog found a bird they would crouch or “set” to mark the spot. The hunter would throw a net over the spot to catch the bird. With the coming of the gun the dogs went to a pointing position though they may still crouch low when they find birds.

 

 

The Retrievers include the Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever and others. Retrievers may work on land or be water-based. Their job is to retrieve the birds after shooting. Some Retrievers may also find birds.

 

Spaniels include the (American) Cocker Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel, the Sussex Spaniel, the Clumber Spaniel and others. Spaniels are the smallest of the Sporting breeds. They are generally used for slower-paced hunting. A Spaniel, as a specialist, is used to flush the birds once found. They can also retrieve small game such as woodcock.

 

The Sporting breeds were developed in both the British Isles and on the Continent. You will typically find that the British and Irish breeds are more specialized. The breeds developed in Europe are usually more all-purpose gundogs.

 

Regardless of the origins of the breed, Sporting dogs make very devoted companions. They are what is called “biddable.” Centuries of working closely with humans in the field have created breeds that watch their owners closely and which have a strong desire to please. These dogs usually want to be with people all the time. Sporting dogs are not as independent as some breeds, such as Terriers or Hounds that were bred to live in packs. Sporting dogs often look to humans for companionship instead of other dogs. They form very close bonds with people.

 

Most Sporting dogs are friendly and they typically don’t make very good  guard dogs . They like people. They may bark to alert you when someone arrives but they will quickly be wagging their tails to make friends.