Although there are numerous similarities, dog breeds employed for bird hunting typically fall into one of two categories: Whereas upland bird dogs hunt birds like quail and pheasants that live in and around the tall grasses and bushes that grow in fields and woodlands, wetland birds dogs assist hunters in finding water birds like geese, ducks, and waterfowl. So, here let’s know about the 15 top and best bird dog breeds.
15 Top And Best Bird Dogs Breed:
A breed of dog that excels at upland hunting may not, and vice versa, be a good choice for wetland hunting because the roles played by the dogs in both types of hunting vary substantially. So, see below the bird dog breed.
1. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The wetland duck hunting dog the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was created in Nova Scotia in the early 19th century.
When hunting, they have a special and uncanny ability to entice ducks. In actuality, these dogs are frequently sent out into the water to troll for ducks and attract them closer to shore with their flapping tails or employed as decoys to distract waterfowl.
2. Labrador Retriever:
Without a question, the most well-known bird-hunting dog is the Labrador Retriever.
These highly clever dogs serve a wide range of purposes besides hunting, and it’s common to find them functioning as therapeutic companion animals, seeing-eye guide dogs, or even explosive or narcotics detection dogs.
The Labrador Retriever excels in the water as a hunter. They have webbed toes, which aid them in this task, like many retrieving breeds, and they are excellent swimmers.
The Labrador is a retrieving dog, as suggested by its name, and although it is too big to hunt from tiny boats, its owners frequently find them in duck hunting hides waiting and watching for an opportunity to catch any bird brought down by their shotgun.
Yet, Labrador Retrievers are also one of the few canines that can switch from marsh to upland hunting, and they are frequently employed to flush and retrieve game birds on land.
3. Cocker Spaniel:
The Cocker Spaniel is a small, beautifully built dog. The head is rectangular, and rather large with a pronounced occiput. The ears are low set, and very long, and the eyes are medium in size, with an attentive and cheerful expression.
The paws are powerful with large feet and webbing between the toes, which allows these dogs to easily move through the swamps. The coat is quite long, especially on the ears (there is often also wavy) and paws. Sometimes requires a hygienic haircut.
The tail is docked 2/3. Height at the withers reaches 40 cm, but not higher, weight – about 14 kg. The colors are very diverse, the most common are black and piebald, fawn, fawn and piebald, black, and chocolate.
4. English Setter
A dog of this breed is a proportional, beautiful animal with developed hunting skills. Already at 4 months, the puppy begins to stand up when he sees any bird, although he still does not fully understand why. It stretches into a string and falls to the ground. Everything happens on an instinctive level.
The body of the English Setter is covered with a luxurious coat that protects the skin from external influences. In dogs, the sexual type is clearly expressed, males are much larger and more courageous, and females are more elegant and aristocratic.
The height of males is 65-69 cm, weight – from 25 to 36 kg, and females weigh from 20 to 32 kg, with a height of 61-65 cm.
There are special instructions in the standard with an average build, the dog should not look sophisticated, upon examination it should be it is clear that this is a strong and hardy animal.
5. Vizsla
The Hungarian vizsla evokes a feeling of nostalgia for those times when in aristocratic society they paid special attention to hunting, accompanied by graceful and lean dogs.
Animals helped to detect injured prey thanks to their sensitive sense of smell and sharp eyesight. Now the hunting grounds exist only on the pages of books, but the Hungarian vizsla continues to be popular.
Neat and at the same time muscular physique, smooth coat of amber color, and a meaningful look – these dogs look like statues come to life, on which a skilled craftsman worked. vizsla is loyal and good-natured, not hostile to strangers, but will stand up for the owner without hesitation.
These animals were distinguished by a love of freedom, so they often left their homes and spread throughout the province. The cops, who migrated to neighboring regions, remained invisible against the background of aboriginal and already established breeds.
6. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a fairly large dog of athletic build, sinewy, and frankly muscular. In males, the height at the withers can be from 59 to 70 cm, weight – from 30 to 40 kg. Females, as a rule, are smaller: their height is from 57 to 65 cm, and their weight is from 25 to 35 kg. According to the standard, extreme limits are undesirable.
The Weimaraner is built proportionally, its back is wide, solid, strong, and without deflection.
The withers are well-developed and clearly marked. The chest is deep, and strong, almost reaching the elbows. It is obviously massive, but it cannot be called wide.
The pelvis is elongated, and slightly inclined. The ribs are long, convex, without barrel-shaped. The abdomen is tucked up, but not excessively.
If you choose a dog for hunting, feel free to opt for the most active kid, but if you are just looking for a four-legged friend, a super-nimble kid can create a lot of problems for you in the future because the Weimaraner is already too active.
7. Irish Setter:
Originally bred as a hunting dog, the Irish Setter has retained the drive and energy of its ancestors. Representatives of this breed love to spend time actively, do something new and visit uncharted places.
Although Irish Setters are very fond of people, they are not suitable for everyone. These dogs are full of energy and need a lot of exercises at least an hour a day. Due to their temperament, Irish Setters are not well suited to apartment life, especially a small one.
They need a lot of space – a large fenced yard or plot of land where the dog can freely walk and run without a leash, as well as active owners who will take him everywhere with them.
Irish Setters become very unhappy when left alone for more than a couple of hours and this tends to lead to destructive behavior.
This breed matures slowly, so even an adult dog can have the energy and curiosity of a puppy. However, the temperament of the Irish Setter is influenced by many factors, including heredity, training, and socialization.
8. German Wirehaired Pointer:
German Wirehaired Pointers are quick-witted dogs with high intelligence. But for impeccable obedience, the owner will have to make a lot of effort and patience. German Wirehaired Pointers are not recommended for beginners in the field of cynology.
When training, it is worth remembering three principles: patience, perseverance, and consistency.
Cruelty and coercion during training should be excluded, otherwise, the dog will become afraid of you. The dog must trust you.
9. Golden Retriever:
Goldens have a phenomenal intellect; according to Stanley Coren, they rank fourth among breeds in terms of cerebral development. These canines are simple to train, and they pick up even the most challenging information rapidly.
They function well as search engines, rescuers, and guides. Retrievers are playful, not aggressive, and quite sociable. The drawbacks include a rapid rate of molting, a rise in maintenance requirements, and poor protective characteristics.
They are therefore capable service dogs and excellent hunting partners. They take pleasure in eating, exercising, playing with their owners, and even participating in agility and obedience contests.
10. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
With this breed’s origins in the Atlantic Flyway, the myth and history of the Chesapeake Bay retriever permeate in a rather strange way.
The sole fact that can be universally agreed upon among conflicting historical accounts is that the Chessie retriever’s bloodline can be traced to Maryland, where it has ruled as the official state dog for nearly 50 years.
The population of this athletic breed has not increased dramatically over time. Due to uncontrolled breeding, other breeds with sporting heritage, like the cocker spaniel, have all but lost their ability to function as hunting dogs.
Not so with the Chessie, whose breeders have generally been adamant in their efforts to protect the best physical and mental traits of the breed.
The three fundamental colors of Chesapeake Bay retrievers are brown (which can range from light to dark), sedge (which is light with reddish undertones), and dead grass (which can range from yellow to tan). They are still reputable hunters. But when they are being trained, they need a specific touch.
The general view is that a Chessie should be trained by its owner if at all possible. If you intend to send your dog to a professional, check sure the trainer is familiar with this breed before you send your dog.
11. German Shorthaired Pointer:
Late 1800s German breeders who desired a versatile hunting dog that was also a lovable companion created the first German Shorthaired Pointers.
They couldn’t have been more successful; today, the GSP is one of the most skilled hunting and sporting breeds in the world, as well as a cherished family pet for many, although not always an easy one.
Here are all the details you’ve ever wanted to know about German Shorthaired Pointers.
They have been used to hunt a variety of species, including raccoons, rabbits, game birds, and even deer. These multitasking dogs can point, hunt, and retrieve. They were developed to be versatile, instinctive hunters.
The German breeders who created GSPs achieved their goal of producing hunting dogs and sociable household pets. The GSP is a very loving and caring companion who prefers children and other dogs, while some experts advise against keeping them in homes with children less than seven due to their boisterous nature.
12. Brittany Spaniel
The Brittany spaniel is becoming one of upland bird hunters’ preferred breeds, and its popularity is growing. Brittanies were first shown in hunting art from the 17th century in the Brittany region of France, thus their name. The genetic makeup of the breed is said to be heavily influenced by English settlers.
The modern Brittany makes a great retriever, pointer, and all-around hunting companion. They have gentler, more sensitive temperaments similar to spaniels and are better trained via positive reinforcement. Having said that, they are usually simple to train and intelligent.
The Breton is a highly skilled upland bird hunter despite its reputation as a generalist hunting dog. If you want to pursue a variety of upland birds, such as pheasants, chukars, or grouse, a Brittany would make the best pointing and retrieving partner.
13. Boykin Spaniel:
As a waterfowl retriever, an upland gamebird flusher/fetcher, and a charming family member, this shady little hustler has an excellent résumé. Also, he has experience working a job that most other breeds have never done: turkey hunting.
Boykins spread over an ever-increasing geographic range thanks to their primarily natural hunting skills, first throughout South Carolina and subsequently into neighboring states. Nobody tried to create a registry for these talented tiny gun dogs until 1970. The Boykin Spaniel Society (BSS), which was founded in 1977, was the result of that endeavor.
The Boykin will pursue a shot bird that is only crippled and flees, guiding the boss to his downed bird.
14. English Springer Spaniel:
These days, the English Springer Spaniel is a versatile hunting dog used in a variety of hunting scenarios. The English Springer Spaniel is a tried-and-true hunting companion, enhancing the fun and effectiveness of each hunting trip whether it involves upland game or waterfowl.
The majority of hunters’ needs can be met by a springer with some basic obedience training and minimal field experience.
Nonetheless, some practice is strongly advised because nothing can match a springer’s hard-charging trailing of a bird. When that happens, it would be ideal to have a little extra time to slow the dog down in order to get a good image.
Over the years, springers have been widely used in the hunt for pheasant, partridge, chukar, and grouse.
They serve as retrievers from the dove blinds and engage in quail and woodcock hunting in particular geographical areas. Yet the lagging and strong flush of the pheasant is when the springer truly shines.
15. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Over the years, springers have been widely used in the hunt for chukar, partridge, pheasant, and grouse.
They serve as retrievers from the dove blinds and engage in quail and woodcock hunting in particular geographical areas.
Yet the lagging and strong flush of the pheasant is when the springer truly shines.
