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ANIMALS

DOGS

Sporting Dogs

Dog breeds in bold are not pictured.

Pointers
German Pointer, Pointer, Vizsla (or Hungarian Pointer), Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

German Shorthaired Pointer, or kurzhaar, breed of all-purpose sporting dog with a superb scenting ability. The German shorthaired pointer was developed in Germany in the 19th century by crossing several breeds of German hunting dogs. A forebear of the German wirehaired pointer, this breed was introduced to the United States in the early 1920s.
The German shorthaired pointer has a muscular, medium-sized body. It stands 21 to 25 inches high at the shoulders, and weighs 45 to 70 pounds. This dog has a deep, prominent chest; sloping, muscular shoulders; and a short, strong back. Its medium-length neck supports a broad head. It has powerful jaws and a large, dark brown nose with wide-open nostrils. The dog's medium-sized brown eyes are oval shaped. Broad ears sit high on its head and hang close to it. The high-set tail is cut back to about half its natural length.
A short, thick, water-repellent coat that is either a solid liver color or a combination of liver and white distinguishes the German shorthaired pointer. The hair is softer, shorter, and thinner on its head.
The German shorthaired pointer is known by hunters as a versatile land and water pointer and retriever. It is an excellent flusher, which means it finds game birds in the field and causes them to fly. This dog is a determined, agile hunter with a smooth stride and great endurance. It requires regular exercise.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed in 1930. Its national breed club is the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America.

Pointer, breed of large sporting dog that hunts by scent; it is trained in locating game to indicate the place of concealment of the quarry by standing rigid with its nose pointing in the direction of the spot. It was once believed that the breed originated in Spain several centuries ago and then spread into various other countries. It is now known, however, that pointers came into general use in Spain, Portugal, eastern Europe, and the British Isles at about the same time. The first pointers of which reliable records exist date from the middle of the 17th century in England. It is believed that the breed, sometimes specified as the English pointer, was established by crossing the foxhound, greyhound, bloodhound, and probably the spaniel. The English pointer was crossed with the Spanish pointer at the beginning of the 18th century in order to improve the former's pointing instinct, and during the 19th century with various breeds of setters in order to make it more tractable. The modern pointer is an ideal hunting dog, lean and lithe, with a smooth, shorthaired coat that is white with patches or spots of either liver, orange, black, or lemon. The dog weighs from 45 to 75 pounds and stands from 23 to 28 inches. It has a long, moderately wide skull; a long, square muzzle; wide nostrils; long, silky ears that lie flat to the cheeks; medium-sized eyes that are either black or various shades of brown; a deep chest; a strong back; and a moderately long, tapering tail. The German shorthaired and German wirehaired pointers are related breeds.

The Vizsla, sometimes called the Hungarian Pointer, was bred to hunt in the open plains of Hungary. It excels in finding and retrieving game without disturbing other game birds. Vizslas were known in Hungary centuries ago. It was bred to hunt on the extensive, open Hungarian plains, where endurance, speed, and caution-so as not to alarm game birds on the uncovered terrain-were required. It is a multipurpose hunting dog, used both to point and to retrieve upland and water birds, as well as small game such as rabbits. After World War II the breed was introduced into various other countries, including the U.S., where it was given official status in 1960. The Vizsla is medium-sized but powerfully built, with a short, smooth, rusty-gold coat. The ears are long, thin, and silky, hanging close to the cheeks; the tail is docked. Males stand 22 to 24 inches high, females 21 to 23 inches.

German Wirehaired Pointer, breed of all-purpose sporting dog. The German wirehaired pointer was developed in Germany in 1870 by crossing several dog breeds of German origin, including the German Shorthaired Pointer, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, and the Pudelpointer. The German wirehaired pointer was introduced to the United States in the late 1920s.
The German wirehaired pointer has a muscular, medium-sized body. It stands about 22 to 26 inches high at the shoulders, and weighs about 40 to 55 pounds. This dog has a deep, prominent chest, laid-back shoulders, and a straight, long back. The medium-length neck arches slightly. It has a broad head with a broad muzzle, and a straight, dark-brown nose with wide-open nostrils. Medium-sized brown eyes are oval shaped and topped by medium-length eyebrows. Medium-sized rounded ears sit high on the head, and hang close to it. The high-set tail is cut back to about half its natural length.
A coarse, wiry, liver-colored coat with white markings distinguishes the German wirehaired pointer. The outer coat of straight hair, about 1 to 2 inches long, lies flat against the body. A shorter undercoat varies in density, depending on the season of the year. The coat is thickest on the shoulders. Thick eyebrows, whiskers, a mustache, and a coarse beard protect this dog's eyes and face when it moves through heavy brush.
The German wirehaired pointer is known by hunters as a versatile land and water pointer and retriever. It is an excellent flusher, which means it finds game birds in the field and causes them to fly. This dog is a determined, agile hunter with a smooth stride and great endurance. It requires regular exercise.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed in 1959. Its national breed club is the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America.

Setters
English Setter, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter

The English setter is a breed of hunting dog characterized by silky hair on the legs and tail, a long head, and a straight tail. This breed of hunting dog, originated in England more than 400 years ago. The modern English setter dates from about 1825, when the so-called Laverack strain was developed. Later in the century further breeding of the Laverack produced the so-called Llewellin strain. The Laverack strain was imported into the United States from England in 1874, and the Llewellin during the following decade. The English setter has a long, lean head; dark-brown eyes; a long, square muzzle; ears of moderate length, silky-haired and somewhat rounded at the ends; a flat coat; and a straight tail with a fringe of featherlike hair that tapers to a point when the tail is raised. The dog may be of a number of colors or combinations of colors, including pure white; black and white; black, white, and tan; and liver and white. The male is about 24 to 25 inches high at the shoulder and weighs from 50 to 70 pounds; the female is somewhat smaller. The dog is used in bird hunting. It has a very gentle nature and makes a fine pet for children.

Gordon Setter, breed of field dog, used chiefly in hunting birds, particularly woodcock. Because of its color, a deep black with markings of tan, mahogany, or chestnut, it is sometimes known as the black-and-tan setter. The dog originated in Scotland early in the 19th century and takes its name from its reputed first breeder, Alexander Gordon, 4th duke of Gordon. The Gordon setter has a round skull; a fairly long muzzle and a large nose; bright, dark brown eyes; a long, lean neck; a deep chest; straight forelegs and long, muscular hind legs; and a short tail, which it carries horizontally. Its coat is silky and glossy. The male is about 24 to 27 inches high at the shoulder; the female is slightly smaller. It is loyal and dependable, but gives its devotion exclusively to its owner and cannot be used for hunting by anyone else.

The Irish setter has a long history of success as a hunting dog, particularly in the hunting of game birds. Though the breed can be difficult to train initially, the dog is obedient and loyal once trained. The Irish setter's high spirits and affectionate temperament also account for its popularity as a pet. Irish Setters reputedly originated in Ireland several hundred years ago. It is not definitely known from what other breeds this dog developed, but it is believed to have sprung from a cross between the Irish water spaniel and the Irish terrier, or to have developed from a combination of English setter, Gordon setter, spaniel, and pointer. The Irish setter was first brought to the United States toward the end of the 19th century. The dog has a long body and deep, narrow chest; a long, lean head, with moderate-sized ears that hang close to the head; and hazel or rich-brown eyes. Its forelegs are strong and sinewy; the upper part of the hind legs is long and muscular, the lower part short and strong. The tail is moderately long, tapers to a fine point, and has a fringe of fairly long hair. The coat of the Irish setter, which is characteristically mahogany red or golden chestnut in color, is of moderate length and lies flat. Because of its speed and endurance, the dog is a valuable aid in bird hunting, but it is frequently kept as a pet or for show purposes. The Irish setter is vigorous, hardy, and long-lived. It reaches a height of 26 inches at the shoulder and weighs up to about 70 pounds.

Retrievers
Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Weimaraner.

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is a breed of sporting dog skilled in hunting and retrieving quarry. The dog was bred in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland in the early 1800s. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are trained to discover and fetch killed or wounded game, principally aquatic birds, such as the duck, and land birds, such as the pheasant. The dog originated in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland about 1807 from two Newfoundland dogs, unusually gifted as retrievers, that were cross-bred with other breeds trained as retrievers. The male Chesapeake Bay retriever is 23 to 26 inches high at the shoulder and weighs 65 to 80 pounds; the female is 21 to 24 inches high at the shoulder and weighs 55 to 70 pounds. The animal has a thick, short coat that may be any color from dark brown to a light tan or straw color, sometimes with a white spot on the breast, toes, or belly; and a fine, woolly dense undercoat. The dog has a broad skull; small ears set well up on the head; a muscular neck; strong, sloping shoulders; a deep, wide chest; a body of medium length; and a tail of medium length.

The Curly-Coated Retriever dates back to the 19th century and probably derives from crossing the retrieving setter with the Irish water spaniel. The dog stands about 24 inches at the shoulder and weighs about 70 pounds. The tightly curled coat is black or liver in color, the fairly small ears are set low on the head, and the tail is carried straight. The breed's first club was established in England in 1896. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1924.

The flat-coated retriever is a large, powerful sporting dog distinguished by its shiny, straight coat. Popular with British gamekeepers in the early 20th century, the versatile flat-coated retriever descended from Labrador and Newfoundland retrievers and is easy to train for bird hunting. Flat-Coated Retrievers were popular in Great Britain in the early 20th century, used by hunters for retrieving land and water game birds.
The flat-coated retriever descended from the Labrador retriever and the Newfoundland retriever. The flat-coated retriever first appeared in British dog shows in 1860. As the modern Labrador retriever and golden retriever became increasingly popular, the number of flat-coated retrievers declined until this dog was in danger of becoming extinct. After World War II (1939-1945), breeding programs were implemented to restore its population.
The flat-coated retriever has an angular, well-balanced body. It stands about 22 to 24 inches high at the shoulders, and weighs about 60 to 80 pounds. The chest is deep and broad, and the shoulders are laid back. The back is short, with a slightly arched neck. The flat head is long and wide, with long, deep jaws. Wide-set, medium-sized eyes are almond in shape, and dark brown or hazel in color. The short, straight tail is carried level or at an angle lower than the back.
The flat-coated retriever has a shiny, solid black or liver-colored coat of thick, straight hair that lies flat on its body. Thick feathery fur covers the ears, chest, forelegs, and thighs. Developed to be a hunting retriever, this dog walks and runs with long, efficient strides. It is intelligent and can be trained easily. The flat-coated retriever requires regular exercise outdoors, where it can run freely.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed in 1915. Its national breed club is the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America.

Golden retrievers achieved popularity in England and Scotland during the early 1800s. Their keen sense of smell and water-repellant coat served in the retrieval of felled prey, particularly water fowl. Modern breeds have been trained to serve contemporary needs, including assistance for the blind and detection of narcotics. Golden Retriever, breed of dog, originated in Scotland about 1865 from a cross between a yellow wavy-coated retriever and a tweed water spaniel. The dog was originally bred to retrieve wild fowl from cold water or heavy vegetation. Its keen nose and biddable temperament have expanded its range of usefulness; it is now used also as a guide dog for the blind and for the detection of narcotics. It was imported into the United States in the 1890s and in recent years has become increasingly popular. The male is from 23 to 24 inches high at the shoulder and weighs from 65 to 75 pounds; the female is 21.5 to 22.5 inches high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 70 pounds. The dense, water-repellent coat, which is a rich golden color, may be either straight or wavy. The dog has a broad skull, muscular neck, dark eyes set widely apart, small ears, straight forelegs and muscular hind legs, and a straight tail.

The Labrador retriever was bred in Newfoundland, Canada, to find and fetch felled birds, typically water fowl. It is one of the most popular companion and helper dogs. Labrador Retrievers are trained to discover and fetch killed or wounded game, principally aquatic birds or pheasants. The breed originated in Newfoundland, Canada, at some unknown time and was imported into England early in the 19th century. It was known as a type of Newfoundland dog until about 1887, when it received its present name, probably to distinguish it from various types of Newfoundland dogs used as retrievers. The Kennel Club of England recognized it as a separate breed in 1903. The male is 23 to 25 inches high at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 75 pounds; the female is somewhat smaller. The dog has a short and exceedingly dense black, yellow, or chocolate-colored coat that is almost impervious to water. It has a wide skull, medium-sized ears hanging fairly close to the head, eyes that are usually black or brown, a wide, deep chest, and straight legs. The characteristic "otter" tail of the Labrador retriever is of medium length, very thick at the base, and tapering gradually to the tip. The tail is covered thickly with the same kind of short, dense hair that is found in the coat.
The Weimaraner is a breed of hunting dog which was originally bred in Weimar, Germany. The breed is one of the fastest domestic dogs and is characterized by a short coat, light-colored eyes, powerful legs, and cropped tail. The Weimaraner originated at the beginning of the 19th century. It is believed to have been derived chiefly from a variety of bloodhound. The dog was bred by members of a club known as the Weimaraner Club, which imposed rigid breeding standards. The breed was imported into the United States in 1929 and has steadily become more popular. The dog runs with great speed, having been known to exceed 38 mph; thus, with the whippet, it is one of the fastest of domesticated animals. Originally the Weimaraner was used for hunting large game, such as wolves, deer, and wild boars, and later for hunting birds. It is often kept as a watchdog or pet. The animal has an aristocratic-looking head; slightly folded ears that are placed fairly high; intelligent eyes that are blue-gray or amber in color; straight, muscular forelegs and powerful hind legs; and a tail that is cropped when the puppy is about three days old and then attains a maximum length of about 6 inchees. The Weimaraner has a short coat that may be one of several shades of gray. The male is from 24 to 27 inches high at the withers and weighs from 65 to 85 pounds; the female is slightly smaller.

Spaniels
American Water Spaniel, Brittany, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel

American Water Spaniel, breed of sporting dog developed in the United States, principally in the Midwest, and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1940. An excellent gun dog, the American water spaniel can work in various terrains, flushing and retrieving game birds and rabbits. The breed has great swimming abilities and uses its medium-length tail as a rudder. It is a sturdy, muscular dog, standing about 15 to 18 inches high and weighing about 25 to 45 pounds. The solid liver- or chocolate-colored coat is closely curled and dense enough to afford protection against weather, water, and rough brush. American water spaniels are also valued as house pets and watchdogs.

Brittany, sporting dog, developed from a variety bred in France at the beginning of the 20th century. It is also known as the Brittany spaniel. The Brittany has a rounded skull; tapered muzzle; short ears; brown eyes; a flat or wavy coat, either dark orange and white or liver and white in color; a tail only about 4 inches long or, frequently, no tail at all; and straight front legs. The dog weighs from 30 to 40 pounds, is from 17.5 to 20.5 inches high, and has a body about the same length as its height. First brought to the United States in 1931, the breed is used as a sporting dog, especially in pointing and retrieving small game and birds.

Clumber Spaniel, breed of dog, named after the Clumber estate in Nottinghamshire, England, where it was bred in the 19th century. The breed's earlier history is disputed, with various sources claiming that it originated in France in the 1700s. The clumber spaniel has a large, massive head; long ears; large hazel-colored eyes; short legs; a heavy body; and a short, heavy tail. The coat of the dog is dense and silky and is either lemon and white or orange and white in color. The male weighs between 70 and 85 pounds; the female, between 55 and 70 pounds. The clumber is slower moving than other sporting spaniels, but is an excellent finder and retriever of game.

The cocker spaniel has long been bred for hunting and may have been named after a primary prey, the woodcock. Hunters valued the dog for its intelligence and trainability. These qualities serve domestic pet owners as well, contributing to the breed's popularity as a pet. Cocker Spaniel, either of two breeds of small sporting dog, the American cocker spaniel (usually shortened to cocker spaniel in the United States) and the English cocker spaniel. Both breeds-the smallest of the sporting dogs-probably descended from Spanish spaniels bred in England during the 14th century. Spaniel probably evolved from an Old French word for "Spanish dog" while the name cocker reflects the skill these dogs demonstrated in hunting woodcocks (small game bird).
The American cocker spaniel descended from English cocker spaniels and other spaniels brought to the United States. It has a short, compact body; stands 14 to 15 inches; and weighs 22 and 28 pounds. Its head, a distinguishing trait, is rounded (domed) on top, and the muzzle is broad and deep with square jaws.
Slightly larger than its American relative, the English cocker spaniel was a popular hunting dog in Great Britain during the 19th century. While its body is also short and compact, this breed stands 15 to 17 inches and weighs 26 to 34 pounds. Its head is slightly flat on top, and the strong-jawed muzzle is about the same length as the skull.
Each breed has slightly oval, dark brown eyes and long, wide ears. The tail of each breed is carried in line with the top of the back. The cocker spaniels' silky hair is flat or wavy and moderately long, and the ears, chest, abdomen, and legs are well feathered. Coat colors of each breed include solid black, brown, liver-colored, or parti-color (a predominant color broken by patches of one or more additional colors), as well as shades of red in the English cocker spaniel.
Cocker spaniels are eager hunting dogs capable both of flushing (driving prey, such as a game bird, from cover) and retrieving game, occasionally even from water.
The Kennel Club of Great Britain recognized the English cocker spaniel as a separate breed from other spaniels in 1892. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the American cocker spaniel about 1924, and the English cocker spaniel in 1946.

The English springer spaniel is a breed of hunting dog characterized by white-and-black or white-and-tan markings, a broad chest, and strong legs. Its name is based on the dog's ability to flush or "spring" game from the brush. English Springer Spaniel, breed of hunting dog, named for its ability to "spring" or flush game, that is, force game to leave cover. The dog is noted for its speed and endurance and is one of the most useful of hunting spaniels. It was first recognized as a separate breed in 1902. The animal has a slightly rounded head of medium length; medium-sized eyes that are brown, dark hazel, or almost black; long, wide ears; a muscular neck; a deep chest; and a strong, straight back. Its coat consists of moderately long, flat, or somewhat wavy hair. The dog is most frequently black and white, black and tan, liver and white, or tan and white. It stands from 46 to 51 cm (18 to 20 in) high at the shoulder and weighs from 18 to 25 kg (40 to 55 lb).

Field Spaniel, breed of sporting dog, with a dense coat of flat or slightly waved silky hair, usually black and sometimes roan or mahogany. The animal has medium-size brown, dark hazel, or nearly black eyes; a very long muzzle that ensures great power of scent; fairly long and wide ears; a long, muscular neck; a deep chest; strong and muscular back and loins; and a fringed tail kept low when the dog is in action. The field spaniel is about 46 cm (about 18 in) high at the shoulder and weighs about 16 to 23 kg (about 35 to 50 lb). A docile companion, this dog is well suited for endurance in the hunt.

Irish Water Spaniel, breed of sporting dog, often called the clown of the spaniel family because of its unique appearance. It is an ancient breed, perhaps dating from as far back as the 7th or 8th century in Ireland, or even earlier. Its appearance is distinguished by a rattail and a characteristic topknot of long, loose curls growing down into a peak between the eyes. The Irish water spaniel stands about 53 to 61 cm (about 21 to 24 in) high and weighs about 20 to 30 kg (about 45 to 65 lb). The dog is also the tallest of the spaniels. The crisply-curled hair is solid liver in color; because this coat has a tendency to catch on branches and bushes, the dog is not often used for retrieving on land. The American Kennel Club recognized the Irish Water Spaniel in 1878.

Sussex Spaniel, breed of sporting dog, named for the area of Great Britain where it originated. The Sussex spaniel originally was developed for use by hunters.
The Sussex spaniel has a long, muscular body with short, strong legs. It stands about 33 to 38 cm (about 13 to 15 in) high at the shoulders, and weighs about 15.5 to 18 kg (about 33 to 38 lb). The deep, broad chest is well developed. The shoulders are laid back, and the short neck is slightly arched. The head is long and broad, tapering to a broad muzzle. Large, hazel-colored eyes are framed by long eyebrows. Large, lobe-shaped ears are set slightly above the outer corners of the eyes. The low-set tail is cut to a length of about 12.5 to 17.5 cm (about 5 to 7 in). The Sussex spaniel has a thick fur coat that is either flat or slightly waved. A golden-liver color is unique to this breed.
The Sussex spaniel originally was used by hunters. It moves with a rolling, powerful stride and is known for barking while following a scent trail.
This breed was one of the first 10 recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) when it was organized in 1884. The national breed club for this spaniel is the Sussex Spaniel Club of America.

Welsh Springer Spaniel, breed of spaniel known in Wales and western England for several centuries, and popular today, particularly in Britain and the United States as well as Australia, India, and Thailand, because of its endurance and ability to stand extremes of heat and cold. It weighs about 15 to 18 kg (about 33 to 40 lb) and is smaller than the English springer spaniel, which it otherwise resembles in a number of ways. It is larger than the cocker spaniel, and because of its longer legs it can cover ground more quickly than the cocker. The Welsh springer spaniel has a skull that is of moderate length and slightly domed; small ears that taper toward the tip; medium-sized hazel or dark eyes; long, muscular shoulders and neck; and a strong, compact, muscular body. It has a silky coat, red and white in color, which is straight or flat and thick. The animal is most useful as a gun dog, is a good water dog, and makes an excellent watchdog and pet.

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