Reasons gundogs are so popular
Loyal, trainable and – best of all – fun, is it any wonder why the people-pleasing gundog breeds are so popular?
Of all the different canine groups, gundogs are enduringly popular – despite most of them never having any cause to go near a gun or retrieve real game. The reason for their popularity is simple: the characteristics that make them superb in the shooting field also produce fantastic pets in the home. They love to please people and are trainable, athletic, loyal, and fun.
While they are there are so many different gundog breeds across the world, there are a few things they all have in common. They need food and they will enjoy games with toys.
In the US, there are three gundogs in the top 10 most popular breeds: Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers sitting in the top three, and German shorthaired pointers rounding out the top 10. In the UK, cocker and springer spaniels also make the cut.
But there are many breeds sitting under the gundog umbrella – nearly 40 in different categories, namely retrievers, setting and pointing dogs, spaniels, and hunt, point, retrieve. They share many common traits, particularly in terms of their temperament, work ethic, loyalty, and trainability. However, they vary in size and build, due to the terrain they were bred to work in requiring different physical attributes.
And so, there’s a gundog for all tastes. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why gundogs are so popular.
Walking companions
Gundog breeds never, ever say no to a walk. They thrive on any exercise and won’t flinch even if it’s raining stair-rods and the mud is knee-deep. In fact, they’ll enjoy it a lot more than you will.
Good with other dogs
These breeds have been developed to work in close proximity with a variety of other dogs, and so they are naturally both sociable and unexcited by their presence. Many owners say their dog is so unfussed passing another dog out on a walk, that they’ll completely ignore them. This is a blessing, as either aggression or over-friendliness needs to be managed carefully.
Responsible breeding
For a dog to be able to work all day in any weather, they have to be sound in mind and spirit. While any breed can be prone to certain genetic conditions, in general, the gundog breeds have been developed to have sound temperaments and be healthy physical specimens. However, they have a such a strong work ethic that using joint supplements is often recommended to mitigate their frenetic activity.
Something for everyone
Most popular of all the gundogs as pets are the Labradors and retrievers, but there’s plenty of scope for different tastes. If compact dogs are your thing then go for a cocker spaniel; if you prefer rangy and noble, a German short-haired pointer will be up your street. Or perhaps you like the waggy-tailed, beguiling English Springer Spaniel, or the elegant, silky, russet-coated setter. Whatever your doggy desires, there’s a gundog out there for everyone.
Tip-top trainability
The number one trait required in a gundog is trainability, to enable them to work safely and obediently in the company of other dogs and handlers, with guns, in the field. Retrievers and Labradors are the ultimate in trainability, while the spaniels may have a more bouncy, independent streak, but are simply desperate to please.
Although the vast majority of gundogs will never hear a gun, trainability is a major asset in a pet dog too. And once you’ve mastered sit, stay and recall, then the world’s your oyster in training tricks!
Super size
No, we don’t mean super-sized, but that the size of gundogs is simply spot-on. Not too small, not too big, just right. At one of end of the range is the diminutive cocker, while the retrievers and pointers are on the larger side. But neither end of the scale is too tiny or too enormous.
Soft mouths
A gundog should be able to bring you an unboiled egg without cracking it. They have been bred over centuries to have soft mouths, so that they bring the fallen game back to the handler without destroying (or eating) it. This applies to kids’ teddies, tennis balls and so on. Anything they hold in the mouth will be nurtured with the utmost care.
Impervious to bad weather
Gundogs simply do not care what the weatherman says. Rain, snow, wind, hail, or sleet, they are oblivious to inclement weather. Most breeds have a water-resistant coat for extra protection, and even those breeds with shorter hair, such as the GSP, have very dense hair to keep them warm.
So whether you are after breeds for cold climates or breeds for wam climates, there is a gundog for you.
All-rounders
In the gundog group there are many specialities – those who retrieve, those who flush game, those that point and those that set. But this variety in skillsets extends far beyond the hunting field. Gundogs, with their brilliant noses, are often spotted working as sniffer dogs at borders and airports, as well as excelling in canine competitions.
Part of the family
They typically thrive in family environments because they cherish love, attention, and interaction. Like all dogs, they need appropriate socialization at the right age and stage, but these are breeds that naturally get along with children and other pets, and make excellent companions.
Spectacular swimmers
Many gundog breeds have webbed feet and water-resistant coats, they really are dogs that were made for swimming. Some breeds, such as the Labrador, Chesapeake Bay retriever, and water spaniels, were bred specifically to work in the water, whether it’s alongside fishermen or retrieving waterfowl.
Minimal barking
Individual dogs may be noisy, but as a general rule, gundogs are not big barkers. Unlike the pastoral breeds, who were meant to guard their flock and alert the humans to dangerous predators, quietly going about their work in the field is an asset in a gundog. Conversely, barking, yipping, and whining are considered unacceptable on the shooting field, as it is distracting for the people, and disturbing to the game. In many households, too, a quiet dog is a major coup.
At your service
What makes them good gundogs also results in great service dogs. They want to please, they are trainable, intelligent and love to work. As they aren’t natural guardians, being more of the waggy-tailed personality, they are less likely to be used in security situations, but as sniffer dogs in drug and narcotics busts, or as therapy animals, they are wonderful assets.
Big bang? No problem!
Gundogs are bred to cope with loud bangs – it’s a definite no-no to be gun-shy. This follows through to noises in a domestic situation which typically may send other types into a fit of anxiety, such as thunderstorms or fireworks.
These are fairly regular occurrences that can be the bane of a dog owner’s life. However, gundogs typically don’t care about loud bangs, and are generally not anxious personalities – they’re not needy but content in their own skin.
Key finders
Not only do gundogs make great pets, but their natural retrieving instincts and good noses mean you can train them – with a bit of patience – to find your keys. A pretty handy trick if you can nail it, and they’ll love the challenge.
Ready retrievers
Why limit your gundog to fetching a ball? He can easily be taught to retrieve all manner of items and make himself quite useful in the home. If you have taught him the retrieve command, you can apply it to all sorts of household bits, such as the TV controls, your slippers, or even – if you are sure of his soft mouth – your spectacles.
Great for games
A gundog can turn his paw to all sorts of sports, for example, scentwork, canicross, flyball, and agility, and with his impressive athletic ability, you may find you come home with armfuls of rosettes!
Unfussy eaters
Gundogs are generally easy to feed as they aren’t picky eaters. They are so busy working off their energy that when it comes to dinner time they are typically ravenous and wolf down whatever you put in front of them.
Practised patience
Some of the gundog breeds – springer spaniels, we’re looking at you here – have a reputation for being on the bouncy side. However, a well-trained gundog is exceptionally patient. They have to wait for the command when they are longing to retrieve it and will sit poised to explode into action for as long as it takes. They can do patience, it just requires practice.
Robust temperaments
Just as their coats are impervious to bad weather, they’ll swim in a freezing pond, run all day long, and search for their ball in the thickest of thickets, a gundog’s temperament is equally robust. They’re a rough-and-tumble, easy-going, likable type, not given to over-sensitivity or taking offense. They’re tough – both physically and emotionally.
Super scenters
Using their nose is an extremely rewarding activity for a gundog. Coupled with their intelligence and their ability to work through thick cover, this means that they can find almost anything you set as a challenge.
And when it comes to more serious matters such as drugs or explosives, gundogs used as sniffers are the business.
Moderate grooming demands
There are less demanding dogs on the grooming front – such as the hairless Peruvian inca orchid, for example. However, gundogs don’t typically need expensive clipping, and even the longer-haired breeds such as setters and springers don’t have overly demanding grooming routines. Retrievers can shed a lot, but breeds such as pointers are a breeze.
The most trouble you’re likely to have is with those intrepid spaniels who insist on diving into every bramble bush on your walk and return with matted ears.
But be grateful you don’t have an samoyed or a chow chow.
An elite look
A gundog breed has something of the aristocracy about it. Bred over centuries by the European upper classes both for sport and as faithful companions, gundogs feature in many paintings of country gentry scenes.
Oodles of affection
Gundog breeds are affectionate, and love cuddles in return. The snag is, for those of us that like to feel we’re special, is that they’re not especially picky. They’ll welcome any stranger into the home with a wagging tail, loving lick and happy eyes.
Dogs with a mission
Throw a ball anywhere near a spaniel and you’ll know the meaning of the word mission. Like a heat-seeking missile, they’ll bore down on that target. But it works for walkies too. When you’re out on your daily exercise, your gundog will give you the feeling that he is giving his all, there is no place he’d rather be. Whatever the task, they are on it to the max.
Teaching you to train
Gundogs thrive on training, so the best owner will learn how to be a good dog trainer. The better you train, the better-behaved your dog will be – and the happier and more fulfilled the pair of you. (Plus, the envy of the dog park, and that feels so good).
Healthy physique
Gundog breeds are naturally athletic and flourish with plenty of exercise. This helps ward off obesity and keeps them physically fit and mentally happy. A well-bred dog should find movement easy with a relaxed, flowing gait and have plenty of stamina. They are also well built for breathing easily, with a relatively long nose which enables them to take in sufficient oxygen.
Fun factor
Above all, the gundog breeds are fun. They love games, they thrive on exercise, and will always take up the invitation to play with adorable zest. Best of all, they want to do all this with their human family, making them superb all-round pets, with character, oomph, and trainability.
Loyal, trainable and – best of all – fun, is it any wonder why the people-pleasing gundog breeds are so popular?
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