German Shorthaired Pointer

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a gun dog that originates from Germany where the breed is very popular as hunting companions.  The breed originated in Germany where it is called the Deutscher Kurzhaaiger Vorstehhund.  It is also a popular breed in the United Kingdom as well as in the United States as a reliable and loyal bird dog.. 

 

History of the German Shorthaired Pointer

 

It is believed that the German Shorthaired Pointer is a descendant of the Spanish Pointer from the 1600s.  Because of its keen sense of smell, it is believed that this breed resulted from the mixture of the German Tracking Hound as well as French hounds and the Foxhound, but no bloodhounds.  The breed made its way to England in the late 1800s where it was bred with the English Pointer to gain more speed and agility  Today, the German Shorthaired Pointer is found widely in Europe and the United States.

 

Appearance of the German Shorthaired Pointer 

 

Like other pointers, the Germany Shorthaired Pointer is a lean dog with long legs.  The German Shorthaired Pointer often has a dark head and a white body with dark spots, which make it ideal for hunters who prefer some white in the dog so that they are easier to spot in the field.  The average dog is about 23 inches in height and weights about 55 pounds.  Females are slightly smaller than the males.  There is not much of a distinction between dogs bred for show and those for the field as the history of this breed indicates that it was bred for performance rather than form.   This makes many show quality dogs able to cross over as hunting dogs and vice versa. 

 

The coat of the German Shorthaired Pointer is very short and has a very thick undercoat that makes it ideal for hunting in cold weather.  Coats vary from dark brown with white to black with white.  The speckled coat that is often reflected on the German Shorthaired Pointer is referred to as ticked, although the head of the dog is normally a solid color.  Although the white in the coat makes it easier for the hunter to spot, game may not see this breed with a brown and white coat in the winter, making it ideal for camouflage. 

 

Use of the German Shorthaired Pointer

 

Like most other pointers, the Germany Shorthaired Pointer is a upland hunting dog that works best in the wide open field.  It can cover large areas of ground and once it spots the prey, will stand on point until the hunter arrives and can take aim.  They will generally not flush out game but can be taught to retrieve.  The German Shorthaired Pointer, because of its excellent sense of smell, is often used to hunt larger game upland.  The breed also likes the water and can work well retrieving waterfowl. 

 

Because of the dog’s innate ability to hunt and the joy it finds in the sport, it will often hunt in alone if let loose close to home. This can result in the dog bringing home dead animals such as rats, pigeons and even dead cats.  Because it is bred to hunt larger game, it is not a good idea to have the dog in a home where there are other animals such as cats and rabbits as it will not be able to distinguish what is prey and what is not.  The German Shorthaired Pointer also has an instinct to escape, which means that you are best to use tracking devices on this dog and make sure that it gets regular exercise to quell what can be a dangerous habit of escaping from the yard and hunting alone. 

 

The German Shorthaired Pointer is an excellent hunting companion and will get along well with the entire family.  However, because the dog is very exuberant, it needs plenty of exercise.  They tend to be careful around young children and have a very protective nature towards them, making them a good pet as well as good gun dog.   

Flat Coat Retriever

The Flat Coated Retriever is a bird dog that originated in the United Kingdom.  Not as well known as other types of retrievers, such as the Golden and Labrador retrievers, the Flat Coat Retriever shares many characteristics with these other breeds in that it will assist the hunter on both land an water, retrieving with ease when hunting waterfowl or upland game. 

 

History of the Flat Coat Retriever

 

It is believed that the Flat Coated Retriever has distant Collie and Irish Setter blood.  The theory is that the breed was the result of the Newfoundland breed being bred with Collies and Irish Setters so that the breed would have enhanced sense of smell and added strength.  Although the origins of the Flat Coat Retriever are not very clear, it is clear that the dog was bred as a hunting dog.   The Flat Coated Retriever began appearing in England in the mid 1800s and was considered to be a dog for gamekeepers.   The breed made its way to the United States in the late 1800s where it became popular as both a show dog as well as a hunting companion.  It was recognized by the AKC in 1915 but nearly became extinct in the United States by the end of WWII. 

 

The Flat Coated Retriever breed was revived in the 1960s and the breed today, while not well known, is very popular with hunters as well as show dogs.   The show quality dogs can easily cross over to field dogs as they have a natural ability to hunt. 

 

Appearance of the Flat Coated Retriever

 

The Flat Coated retriever is about 23 inches high on average with females being slightly smaller.  A good Flat Coat Retriever will weigh between around 65 pounds with females being slightly lighter.  In comparison to other retrievers, they are lighter and faster and seem to move effortlessly during the hunt. 

 

The coat of the Flat Coat Retriever s always very dark brown or back.  The coat is single and slightly long and lays flat on the dog.  The Flat Coat Retriever does not have an undercoat, but the single coat is very thick, enabling this dog to hunt in all types of weather. 

 

Use of the Flat Coat Retriever

 

The Flat Coated Retriever is a very versatile, all purpose gun dog that can be used for both upland game and waterfowl.  While retrieving is one of the best uses for this breed of dog, the Flat Coated Retriever can also be used to flush out upland game as well as marking downed birds.  The dogs are very energetic, enjoy the hunt and have much energy to spend in the field.  The Flat Coated Retriever is considered to be an all purpose gun dog. 

 

Hunters who use the Flat Coated Retriever should know that the dogs do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, nor do they like harsh discipline.  The Flat Coated Retriever can be more difficult to train than other retrievers and will not enjoy repetitive exercises for long periods of time.  Although they are gentle dogs by nature and get along with all family members and even other dogs and cats, those with small children should be careful that the dog is trained in obedience as they can easily knock down small children because of their high energy level.  A well trained Flat Coat Retriever, however, makes an excellent hunting companion and wonderful pet for the entire family. 

Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is one of the most widely used bird dogs in the United Kingdom and hails from Scotland.  They are heavier than other types of setters and are considered to be a large breed dog.  They are used for hunting upland birds that will try to camouflage themselves when faced with a predator. 

 

History of the Gordon Setter

 

It is believed that the Gordon Setter is descended from the Land Spaniel, an old breed of gun dog that is no longer around.  It was developed in Scotland in the late 1800s as a way to improve the hunting capabilities of the Spaniel.  It  is believed that the Gordon Setter is a cross between Spaniel breeds as well as certain Pointer breeds, many of which do not exist today.  The idea of the Setter as a dog was developed in 1872 and thought to be an improved spaniel.  Mixing spaniels with pointers to improve gun dogs dates back to the early 1800s. 

 

Appearance of the Gordon Setter

 

The Gordon Setter is also called a Black and Tan as it has a black coat with brown to brownish red markings.  In show quality dogs, it is desired for the muzzle and the spots above the eyes to have the distinct tan colors as well as the paws and across the chest.  Field dogs are not bred for their appearance but are bred for use in hunting and while they may not have perfect markings, they should exhibit the black and tan coat that is characteristic of this breed. 

 

The field Gordon Setter will be about 26 inches high and will weigh up to 75 pounds, with show dogs being somewhat larger.  Females of this breed are a bit smaller than the males in both show and field dogs. 

 

Use of the Gordon Setter

 

The Gordon Setter is used for hunting upland birds such as Grouse, Quail and Pheasant.  It will track the bird using its sense of smell and the point it out for the hunter.  The Gordon Setter can also be used to flush out wild game and also for retrieving.  It is a very versatile hunting dog. 

 

Problems with the breed result in not carefully training the dog as a puppy.  It is important for the dog to have at least an hour of exercise on a daily basis as the breed is a fast runner and was bred to run.  It is not a breed that should be cooped up indoors for long periods of time and not exercising the dog can lead to destructive habits.  The breed is a natural hunter and may get out and follow scents which can lead him into dangerous situations, so it is not a dog that should be allowed to roam free without supervision.  It is also a slow dog to mature and cannot begin agility training for the field until they are at least 18 months old.  They will not reach full maturity until they are 3 years old, at which time they will tend to remain calmer. 

 

The Gordon Setter is a good bird dog and hunting companion that is also very loyal to the hunter and good with family members, although they might not be the ideal hunting companion for a hunter who has very young children in the family, despite being a patient dog.  They require gentle but very firm obedience training techniques as well as socialization at an early age. 

Weirmaraner

The Weirmaraner are all purpose hunting dogs that were originally bred to hunt large game in the 19^th century and are now mostly used to hunt smaller game.  This breed comes from Germany and was once considered a dog only destined for royalty.  Today, the breed is seen all over Europe and North America and is used in hunting as well as for show. 

 

History of the Weirmaraner

 

The Weirmaraner has a history that dates back to Germany in the 19^th Century when it was bred for hunting large game.  Similar dogs to this breed date back as far as the 13^th Century.  It is believed that it descends from breeds of the Mastiff and the Vizsla and was  bred solely for the benefit of royalty at one time.  During a time when hunting dogs were kept in kennels, this prized dog was an animal that lived with the family, something that was very unusual at this time.  As a result, the Weirmaraner of today needs to have the companionship of its human owner and does not do well in a kennel environment. 

 

The Weirmaraner came to the United States at the beginning of the 20^th Century where it became a popular hunting dog as well as a family pet. 

 

Appearance of the Weirmaraner

 

The Weirmaraner is nicknamed the “Gray Ghost” because of its blue gray appearance.  It is a relatively large dog that averages 26 inches in height and weighs about 75 pounds.  It has a short coat with a feathered tail, although there is a breed of Weirmaraner that has a longer, silky coat.  The coat is usually gray with a bluish tinge to it. 

 

This breed of dog is very athletic and muscular.  It has long legs that are suitable for running and defined muscle tone.  The appearance of the Weirmaraner should be one of a blue gray, athletic looking, muscular dog.  The field dog is preferably not a long haired variety of the breed as this requires more grooming and brushing.  Some white spots on the muzzle of the dog and on the tail are preferred by hunters, although it can be difficult to spot the Weirmaraner in the field. 

 

There is no distinction between the appearance of a show dog and that of a field dog in show competitions and there are many crossovers in this breed.  The Weirmaraner that has qualities that will not make him a good hunting dog will not be accepted in the show arena as show dogs are expected to have the characteristics of working dogs. 

 

Use of the Weirmaraner

 

The Weirmaraner was used for large game hunting but is mostly used today for small game hunting.  It hunts rabbits, foxes and birds.  It can hunt well in the water as well as on dry land.  It will, if given a chance, go after bigger game like deer and even bear as this dog is considered to be fearless.  It is best used for retrieving and flushing out game. 

The Weirmaraner might not be a good idea for hunter who wants a small dog, one who has small children at home or one who keeps their hunting dogs in the kennel.  The Weirmaraner must live with the family and can have some aggressive tendencies towards strangers as it is fiercely protective of the family.  It may also kill smaller animals if not introduced to them as a puppy, such as cats, as it has a difficult time making the distinction as to what is prey.  It will not hesitate to chase away any animal that comes into your yard, no matter how big. 

 

This breed also needs a lot of exercise and plenty of room to run.  The Weirmaraner is an ideal hunting companion for someone who is hunting small game and wants a regal looking and very loyal dog. 

 

 

 

Vizsla

The Vizsla is an all around hunting dog that excels at both pointing and retrieving when on the hunt.  In addition to being a very loyal hunting companion and easy to train, the Vizsla is also know for its deep affectionate bonds it forms with its human family.  The Vizsla is known as the Velcro Dog because it tends to stick to the humans in the family very closely, although it is not a guard dog. 

 

History of the Vizsla

 

The Vizsla has been around since the 8^th Century in Hungary, the country of its origin and survived many different near extinctions throughout history.  The last time that the breed was almost extinct was shortly after WWII when the country was occupied by Russia.  At this time, there were only 12 true Vizslas still alive  Careful breeding of these dogs resurrected the breed and started bringing them to the United States shortly after the war as owners strove to escape occupation.  The breed was not recognized by the AKC until 1960.  In addition to the United States, the Vizslas are being actively bred in the United Kingdom and Australia. 

 

Appearance of the Vizsla

 

The Vizsla is a medium sized dog that resembles the Weimaraner in stature, but does not share that breed’s coloring or height.  The Vizsla is a leaner and smaller dog than the Weimaraner and has a rust gold coat.  The Vizsla should have a golden rust coat that can also be a brown copper and often has small areas of white on the toes and the chest.  Saddle marks often appear on the back of this dog as well.  The coat on the Vizsla is very smooth and short and does not have an undercoat. 

 

The average height of the Vizsla is about 23 inches and the average weight is about 50 pounds.  Females are smaller than males and there is no distinction between the show dog and the field dog as the Vizsla was first and foremost bred to be a hunting dog. 

 

Use Of the Vizsla

 

The Vizsla can work well in a wide open field as well as it can work in the water.  It will both retrieve and point, making it ideal for upland bird hunting as well as hunting waterfowl.  It excels at swimming and will gladly jump out of a boat to retrieve waterfowl for the hunter. 

 

Because it does not have an undercoat, however, the Vizsla is not a breed of dog that can be used in cold weather as it has no protection against the cold weather.  It is an ideal dog for hunting in warm climates, but cannot be kept  outside in the cold weather.  If you kennel your dogs, you cannot keep the Vizsla outside in the cold weather as this can cause the dog to freeze to death. 

 

With regard to temperament, the Vizsla is ideal for companionship for both the hunter and the family and will form bonds with all family members and is good with children.  One thing that many people like about the Vizsla is that it cleans itself all of the time and does not present the dog smell that is common to most dogs.  It is a very hard working gun dog in the field and an affectionate m

Sussex Spaniel

Although it originated in England, the Sussex Spaniel is more commonly found in the United States today than in the United Kingdom.  The Sussex Spaniel is a small breed of gun dog that specializes in flushing out prey in deep undergrowths or other difficult terrains.  There is no distinction between the breed that works and those that are for show and crossovers occur all of the time with this breed of dog. 

 

History of the Sussex Spaniel

 

The Sussex Spaniel goes back all the way to 1795 when a desire for gun dogs to work in areas with rough terrain and thick undergrowth while flushing out prey and barking to alert the hunter.  It is believed that the first Sussex Spaniels originated from the Field Spaniel, Springer Spaniels an the Liver and White Norfolk, a breed that is now extinct.  What is known is that the Sussex Spaniel was admitted to the stud book in the AKC in 1884, but became less popular in the United Kingdom so that only 10 of these dogs were found in the English Kennel Club shortly after WWII.   The breed has had a revival in England and the United States but today is more prevalent in the US than in the UK. 

 

Appearance of the Sussex Spaniel

 

The Sussex Spaniel has a golden liver coat that is very long and silky.  It looks very much like the Clumber Spaniel, but is smaller and lighter in weight.  It has a fuller head than the English Cocker Spaniel and has hazel colored eyes.  The nose and rims of the eyes should be the same color of the coat.  The legs of the Sussex Spaniel are very short, making it ideal for getting around in an underbrush.  Despite being so small, the breed is very strong with strong bones.  The coat must be brushed to keep it from matting. 

 

The average Sussex Spaniel is about 14 inches high and weights 40 pounds.  Females of the breed are slightly smaller than males. 

 

Use of the Sussex Spaniel

 

The Sussex Spaniel is used to hunt prey in the woods or difficult terrain.  It alerts the hunter to the prey and excels when hunting small game in the deep woods.  It is not the right dog for hunting birds because it will scare them off with its bark.  In addition to alerting the hunter to prey, it can also be trained to retrieve prey and bring it to the hand of the hunter. 

 

The Sussex Spaniel likes the water and can be trained to retrieve waterfowl as well for the hunter.  Hunters who like the Sussex Spaniel as a hunting companion do so because the dog is small enough to fit even into a canoe without upsetting the boat and can get through tough thicket where it can be difficult to spot prey. 

 

As far as temperament goes, the Sussex Spaniel is an easy dog to train and gets along well with other family members.  It is not as hyper as the English Cocker Spaniel, but not as sedate as the Clumber Spaniel.   Because of its small size, it makes an ideal hunting companion for hunter with a modest home as it does not need a lot of room to roam.  It is also a good gun dog for families with small children. 

German Wirehair

The German Wirehair, also known as the German Wirehaired Pointer, is the most popular bird dog in Germany, but is also used to hunt upland game n other parts of the world.  It has been bred over a period of time to be a good hunting companion as well as a devoted family pet. 

 

History of the German Wirehaired Pointer

 

The German Wirehaired Pointer goes back about 120 years, with the breed originating in Germany as a hunting dog that would work well in mountainous regions, thick forests and in wide open fields.  Because of the cold weather in many of the regions in Germany, the German Wirehaired Pointer was bred to be able to withstand the cold because of its distinctive coat.  It is believed that the breed today descends from the Wirehaired Griffon as well as Foxhound and Bloodhound mixes.  Today, the German Wirehaired Pointer is found in Europe, Canada and the United States.  Although these dogs are often shown in competition, this is a breed that can crossover from being a show dog to being a field dog as it has strong hunting instincts. 

 

Appearance of the German Wirehaired Pointer

 

The German Wirehair is a medium sized dog, like other pointers, but has a very distinct appearance.  It is a more stocky looking dog and has a thick wire like coat that is resistant to cold temperatures. The wire like coat is everywhere on the animal, including on the face.   The feet are webbed, enabling the dog to swim in the water, as is the case with other German Pointers.  Like other German Pointers, the color of the coat is usually a brown and white mix with the head being solid.  Female dogs are usually slightly smaller than males with the average dog weighing about 60 pounds and standing about 23 inches tall. 

 

Use of the German Wirehaired Pointer

 

The German Wirehaired Pointer is used for hunting upland game where it will use its sense of smell to discover the prey and point it out for the hunter while waiting patiently on point.  It can easily be trained to retrieve as well and can locate wild game that has been wounded with its sense of smell.  When coming across a fox or other larger, more dangerous game, the German Wirehaired Pointer will not back down. 

 

The German Wirehaired Pointer is ideal for hunting upland game in cold weather and even hunting in cold water because of its weather resistant coat.  However, it can be difficult to hunt with this dog if you live in an area where it is warm all of the time because of the coat.  This is a breed that works best in the cooler, northern climates. 

 

If you habitually keep your gun dogs in a kennel, you will find that the German Wirehaired Pointer is not the dog for you.  This is a breed that has not only been bred to hunt, but to also be a companion dog and even protective of the family.  It will not be happy if left in a kennel environment and need socialization with the hunter and his family as they are happiest when they are doing things for the hunter or socializing with their family members.  They are excellent gun dogs for tracking, pointing and retrieving in just about any type of terrain, love to hunt and will be protective of your family.  

 

Large Munsterlander

The Large Munsterlander is a breed of hunting dog that hails from Germany and is used to hunt upland birds and game.  It is found in Europe as well as in the United States and is considered to be an all purpose gun dog. 

 

History of the Large Munsterlander

 

The Large Munsterlander can be seen in paintings depicting hunting scenes that date back to the Middle Ages.  The breed itself did not gain recognition in Germany until the early 1900s and did not come to the United States until the 1960s.  It is a gradually growing breed in the United States and more than 50 dogs have been imported from Europe with over 1000 puppies registered in the AKC in the United States and Canada. 

 

Appearance of the Large Munsterlander

 

Despite its name, the Large Munsterlander is a medium sized breed dog with long legs that enable it to move quickly and cover vast areas of land.   The average size of this breed is about 24 inches high and it weighs around 55 pounds.  There is not a difference in the appearance of the show quality dog and the working dog, making it easy for dogs to crossover from working to show.   The Large Munsterlander has a solid black head and usually has a white blaze on the body.  It can also be spotted, although the head is always a solid black.  This is a black and white dog that should not present any other colors.   As of yet, the AKC does not have an official breed standard for the Large Munsterlander. 

 

Use of the Large Munsterlander

 

The Large Munsterlander is used primarily to hunt upland game, but can also work well for the hunter that hunts waterfowl as it will work well on both land or water   The dog will retrieve as well as flush out game for the hunter.  The Large Munsterlander is an easy dog to train and is happy to hunt, even for long periods at a time.  It will stand quietly when it tracks prey for an inordinate amount of time until the hunter arrives, although it does not point until it has fully matured. 

 

One thing that many hunters like about this breed of dog and why it is quickly gaining in popularity in the United States is that it is easier to handle than many other breeds.  It is an all around gun dog and excels on tracking and recovering game.  It can cover a large area of ground and its thick coat allows them to hunt in cold weather with ease.  It moves very quickly and hunts adeptly because it has been bred for hunting and not show. 

 

The Large Munsterlander works well with all types of hunting, but hunters do have to wait until the dog matures before the pointing instinct kicks in.  In addition to being an excellent hunting companion, the Large Munsterlander is also a good household companion and has a very easy going temperament, even around other animals and children.  It is considered to be a very loyal dog, easy to work with and train and affectionate to the members of its human family. 

Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel is a very rare breed of spaniel and also one of the oldest and largest.  It is used as a gun dog in Ireland, the UK and even in the United States, although it is not common to see this dog in the field. 

 

History of the Irish Water Spaniel

 

The history of the Irish Water spaniel dates back to the 1830s in Ireland where the dog was first bred.  Justin McCarthy, a Dubliner, is said to be the father of the breed, but he left no records regarding how the dog was bred or which type of water spaniels were used to create the breed.  It is believed, although not documented, that the breed was created by breeding a water spaniel with the Poodle or the Barbet, although no one knows for certain the genetic makeup of the dog and the other dogs from which he descended. 

 

Appearance of the Irish Water Spaniel

 

The Irish Water Spaniel is larger than other spaniels and has the distinctive tightly curly coat as often seen on a Poodle.  The coat does not shed, making it an ideal gun dog for anyone who has dog allergies or has family members with allergies.  The color of the coat is a dark brown with a purplish hue that is distinctive from any other coat color of any other breed of dog. 

 

The Irish Water Spaniel is considered to be a medium sized dog and will stand about 23 inches high and weight about 60 pounds on average.  It is also known as the Whiptail because it has a very thin tail, especially when compared to its very stout body.  The non shedding coat enables the dog to keep warm in cold weather and can be clipped in the summer on a field dog. 

 

Use of the Irish Water Spaniel

 

The Irish Water Spaniel is a flushing dog that is ideal for hunting waterfowl and even some upland birds.  It is considered to be an all around gun dog that can retrieve and flush out game.  It will not point, however.  It is perfect for hunting in cold weather for game such as geese and duck as this is a dog that loves to swim and does so very well.  They are also very quick to learn, being a highly intelligent breed of dog. 

 

In addition to being excellent hunting companions for those hunting around water, the Irish Water Spaniel is also a good pet for the family, although they do require daily exercise to keep them happy.  It is also preferred that the dog have access to water to enable them to swim and they enjoy this type of activity.  It is also important to keep the dog active in the field and many hunters who have the Irish Water Spaniel will enter them in field competitions to keep them agile and properly exercised. 

 

The Irish Water Spaniel is not an aggressive dog and will fit in with any family, even those with other pets or small children.  It does have a very deep bark, so although it cannot be used as a guard dog, the bark of this breed is enough to make people think that you have a much larger dog than you do.  This rare breed is prized by hunters who enjoy hunting close to or around water and want a compact dog that is small enough to sit in a rowboat, but large enough to assert strength in the field. 

Irish Setter

The Irish Setter is a breed of hunting dogs that has a long, silky coat with shades of red.  Field dogs are called Red Setters and are distinct from the show breeds, which are called Irish Setters in that they are smaller and have a shorter coat than the show breed.  They are used for hunting in wide open, dry spaces. 

 

History of the Irish Setter

 

The Irish Setter dates back as far as the 1600s and comes from Ireland.  It was originally bred to be a hunting dog for wild game that inhabited wide open places.  By the 1940s, however, the breed was used primarily for show and was quickly disappearing from the field.  The Red Setter was born in the late 1940s and competed in trial shows. 

 

There was a bit of a controversy between the Irish Setter name and the Red Setter name with the AKC that prohibited dogs that were field dogs from competing with Irish Setters as the National Red Setter Field Trial Club attempted to cross the field breed with the AKC Irish Setter Breeds.  Today, however, the field dogs are a mix between the older field Red Setters that were used in the 1940s and the AKC Irish Setters of the past.  There have been cases where show dogs crossed over to win field championships. 

 

Appearance of the Irish Setter

 

The Irish Setter field dog is distinctly smaller than the show variety with a much shorter coat that is not as silky or long.  Field Irish Setters will weigh around 45 pounds, with females being less.  They will still have the distinctive reddish brown color coat that distinguishes them from other setters.  Whereas the show Irish Setter is considered a large breed dog, the field Irish Setter is considered a medium breed dog that stands about 23 inches high.  Field dogs often have white patches on the chest and face, similar to older Irish Setters. 

 

Use of the Irish Setter

 

Though they have been rumored to be difficult to train and even stupid, this is not true when it comes to the Irish Setter as they are actually very intelligent animals and will learn quite easily.  They work well in wide open fields and will flush out game as well as sit on point.  They can also be trained to retrieve game as well.  They are best used for hunting upland birds in a dry climate.   They have a strong desire to please and excellent tracking and hunting abilities that enable them to be fine hunting companions. 

 

Hunters who are interested in using the Irish Setter as a hunting companion should understand that this breed has a habit of playing deaf and not listening to commands.  It is therefore very important for the dog to be properly trained before he is let off the lead.  He is a natural runner and can cover a great deal of ground.  Exercise of the Irish Setter on a daily basis is necessary for the dog as inactivity will create a hyperactive or even destructive dog.  In addition to being fine hunting companions and gun dogs, the Irish Setter is also a very patient and loyal family pet and although it is not an aggressive breed of dog, it will bark to alert the family if strangers are approaching.