Sportdog Training

Sporting dogs have been a registered group in clubs around the world. This is a group of dog breeds also termed as gundogs that assist hunters and handlers during a field session. Hunting is primarily for feather and fur, tracking medium sized quarry. The dogs involved in a hunt are divided in types: the Pointers, Setters, Spaniels and Retrievers. The types are used to separate form and function though lately avid owners of some breeds promote their dogs as versatile.

Pointers and Setters are dog types that track game and stand at point at the direction where the animal has hidden. For Setters, aside from the ability to go point, are used in set traps for game, this type doesn't mind chasing an animal into a waiting net. Spaniels are used as flushers, once the game is located and in hiding its the flushers job to help flush it out of hiding. Some Spaniels also act as decoys to attract pheasant or duck to a brush or duck blind. Retrievers, are the types of sporting dogs that have the job of assisting in the hunt and by retrieving game after the hunt. They have good scent, eyesight and intelligence to be able to get shot game or escaping wounded birds in land and water. The Retrievers are the sturdier built sportdog type since they get to be immersed in water for hours at a time during the hunt.

The types of Sporting breeds are mentioned here since the page is for Sportdog Training. For starters it would be difficult to train a work dog or toy dog to do the job of a Sporting breed. For training regimen to be successful, choosing the right dog is a must. For a pup to qualify for Sportdog Training it must NOT be gun shy. Most of the training a sportdog undergoes requires the dog to be calm, trusting and has the presence of mind to anticipate and work alone in it's task. A sporting dog breed exhibiting gun shyness must be passed over even if it has a good build or any outward qualities, Sportdog training is meant for gundogs at heart.