This week’s post is all about gundog breeds. Like our last post on herding breeds, we’ll look at what gundogs were bred for, their typical behaviour and if they make good pets. We’ll also discuss the potential downsides of living with a gundog breed. 

Gundog Breeds

There are 36 pedigree Gundog breeds according to the Kennel Club. Traditionally, their purpose was to quite literally work alongside the gun. This meant that their job was to help humans with hunting, typically flushing out and retrieving game animals. Historically, gundogs were the chosen dog of the aristocracy in the UK and across Europe. Over time, various breeds were bred for specific roles. Spaniels for hunting and flushing game. Setters and Pointers for hunting out hard to find birds and Retrievers for, well, retrieving. 

The variety in their specific jobs and working environment means there is a large range in the appearance of a gundog breed. A working cocker spaniel can be as small as 5-6 kg. Whereas, a Weimaraner can be as large as 40kg. The Irish Setter has a striking red, fluffy coat. Conversely, the Hungarian Viszla is a similar colour but has a very short coat that requires minimal maintenance. Each breed was specifically bred with those features to allow them to thrive in their respective ‘workplaces’. Other gundog breeds include the Labrador, Golden Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Retrieving Toller, Munsterlander and the Spanish Water Dog. 

Gundog breed behaviours 

Given their history, gundogs are very well known for their ability to carry things around in their mouths without damaging them. This enabled them to retrieve game animals to be used as food and is known as having a ‘soft mouth’. This is such a strong part of their genetics that even dogs that have never been taught to do so will regularly carry objects around, especially when excited. You may well be familiar with this if your dog has ever got excited before a walk and taken off with your shoe- making it very difficult to actually go for a walk!

As well as this, gundog breeds are highly trainable, intelligent and energetic. They typically have great stamina, meaning they can work out in the field all day. They are generally very human orientated, sociable, affectionate dogs that bond closely with their people. Given their ancestry, they can be very ‘chasey’ and have a high prey drive, but like all traits this will vary depending on the individual. 

Do Gundog breeds make good pets?

On the whole, yes! Of course, not every individual gundog is going to fit perfectly in every home. They may need more or less exercise, human company or training than a given home can provide. But, there is a reason that gundog breeds account for 5 out of the Top 10 UK dog breeds, according to YouGov. Indeed, the Labrador Retriever is the number 1 most owned breed in this country. You’re also unlikely to see that many Labradors and other gundog breeds in your local rescue because they are generally easy going and adaptable. 

As you’ll know if you follow us on social media, we have a Springer x Cocker Spaniel called Duke, so we are slightly biassed towards the gundog breeds. I imagine that we will always have a gundog breed because they tick all the boxes for us. A dog that loves their adventures as well as a sofa snuggle, is generally easy to train and good with kids- that’s the pup for us! 

The down sides

Of course, there are some downsides to the gundog breeds. The same traits that make them excellent working dogs can make them difficult to live with. They are highly energetic, intelligent and they will need plenty of mental, physical and social stimulation. Without appropriate walks and training they are likely to find their own fun- this might include getting into bins, digging up the garden or barking at the windows at birds.

Some breeds in particular are prone to certain issues. The spaniel breeds are prone to separation anxiety and resource guarding. Labradors are famously greedy and prone to counter surfing to find food. All gundog breeds typically love mud and are unlikely to be put off their walks by a bit of rain, so they may not be for you if you don’t like the smell of wet dog! It can also take a lot of time and patience to teach a gundog to loose lead walking.

What next?

• Looking for help with your dog? Contact us to arrange in person or online training.
• Read more blog posts here.
• Perfect Recall: Teaching your dog to come back when called every time. Our guide is free to download when you join our email list- sign up here.