Sporting dogs are breeds that were specifically bred to aid their human companions in all activities relating to hunting, whether that be for livelihood or sport. Each breed is specialized for different roles: some will seek and flush out the prey, acting as guides for the hunters, whereas others will retrieve the catch after the hunt is over. Some sporting dog breeds were specifically developed to be skilled swimmers, making them ideal for retrieving waterfowl. Regardless of the specific job they were bred for, these dogs form extremely strong bonds with their humans and are among the most loyal and loving breeds, making them perfect as pets as long as you can meet their exercise and attention needs. Below we’ll go over 13 sporting dog breeds, what they were bred for, and more!
How Are Sporting Dog Breeds Classified?
Sporting dog breeds are classified based on their typical roles throughout history and specialized skills in assisting hunters. The American Kennel Club (AKC) categorizes these breeds into four primary types; retrievers, setters, pointers, and spaniels. Retrievers have been bred to recover game, setters locate and indicate the presence of game, pointers will identify and point out game, and spaniels are bred to flush the game out of dense areas and make them accessible to the hunter. These classifications reflect the breed’s instincts and physical attributes, often having heightened senses and water-repellent coats. These are traits that have been honed over generations to maximize the effectiveness of these breeds in all activities related to hunting.
The Brittany, formerly known as the Brittany Spaniel, originated in the Brittany region of France and was primarily bred for hunting birds. These dogs are known for their agility and acute sense of smell, making them adept at pointing and retrieving game. Aside from their hunting abilities, Brittanys are intelligent and affectionate, and they are perfect pets for active households. Brittanys have very high energy levels and will require a lot of exercise to keep them healthy and happy, but if you’ve got the time to devote to them, you’ll be rewarded with a loyal, loving, and playful companion.
2. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
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Origin:
United States
Lifespan:
10 – 13 Years
Weight:
55 – 80 lbs
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, sometimes known as the “Chessie,” was developed in the 19th century in the United States’ Chesapeake Bay area. Bred primarily for retrieving waterfowl, these dogs were valued for their ability to work in harsh, icy conditions and waters. As pets, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are known for their affectionate and loyal nature, forming strong bonds with their families. They are generally good with children and friendly towards strangers, though they can exhibit protective behaviors so it’s important to start training and socializing them early to prevent any unwanted behaviors.
3. American Cocker Spaniel
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Origin:
United States
Lifespan:
10 – 14 Years
Weight:
20 – 30 lbs
The American Cocker Spaniel, often simply called the Cocker Spaniel in the United States, originated from the English Cocker Spaniel. The term “cocker” is derived from their historical use in hunting the Eurasian woodcock. These pups have a reputation for being very affectionate and loving, but they can be stubborn and require a lot of exercise, and if their needs aren’t met they can be very destructive. This breed is inquisitive and daring, and they will try and push the limits of what they can get away with, so it’s important to start obedience training as early as possible to keep a lid on their mischievous nature.
4. English Setter
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Origin:
England
Lifespan:
10 – 12 Years
Weight:
45 – 80 lbs
With origins going back to the 14th century, the English Setter is one of the oldest gundog breeds. These dogs were bred to indicate the presence and mark the locations of game birds, and then subsequently disturb the birds into flight. They would use their keen sense of smell to locate the prey and their silent movement to approach without being detected. English setters are known for being gentle and friendly, making them especially good for families with children. Due to their strong hunting instincts, if you have other small animals in the household it is vital to socialize them as early as possible so that they don’t view them as prey.
5. English Springer Spaniel
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Origin:
England
Lifespan:
10 – 14 Years
Weight:
40 – 50 lbs
Originating from the Norfolk or Shropshire Spaniels of the mid-19th century, the English Springer Spaniel was traditionally used for flushing and retrieving game. Being very energetic and affectionate, these dogs are always eager to join in on any family activities and are great with children and other pets. That being said, they have demanding needs when it comes to exercise and mental stimulation which can be quite challenging for some pet parents, so make sure you have the time and energy to give them the attention they need before opting for one of these playful pups.
6. German Shorthaired Pointer
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Origin:
Germany
Lifespan:
10 – 12 Years
Weight:
45 – 70 lbs
This breed originated in Germany in the 19th century. It is believed that breeders aimed to create a multipurpose hunting companion by crossing the old Spanish Pointer, the old German Pointer, and the Braque Français, among others. They were trained to hunt both on land and in water, so they will not hesitate to jump in a lake, river, or ocean for a swim at any opportunity they get. These dogs are friendly, outgoing, and eager to please, which makes them easy to train. On the other hand, they have seemingly unlimited supplies of energy and require consistent mental stimulation to prevent them from getting bored and becoming destructive. They thrive in active households where they can participate in physical activities like running, swimming, and sports.
7. Golden Retrievers
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Origin:
Scotland
Lifespan:
10 – 12 Years
Weight:
35 – 45 lbs
As the name implies, Golden Retrievers were bred to retrieve all types of game on both land and water. They were developed in the late 19th century by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks in his Scottish estate, where He cross-bred Flat-coated Retrievers with Tweed Water Spaniels, with some subsequent mixing of Red Setter, Labrador Retriever, and Bloodhound to result in this breed. Golden Retrievers are well-known for being friendly, gentle, intelligent, and affectionate, making them some of the most popular and beloved family pets. They’re playful and eager to please, and as a result are suitable for families with children and other pets.
8. Gordon Setter
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Origin:
Scotland
Lifespan:
12 – 13 Years
Weight:
45 – 80 lbs
The Gordon Setter is a distinguished breed from Scotland and was originally bred in the 19th century to hunt game birds, primarily pheasants and quail. Similar to other sporting breeds, these dogs have high exercise requirements, are intelligent, and need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them well-behaved and happy. The Gordon Setter is a fiercely loyal breed and can even be effective as a watchdog. As companions they are affectionate and loving, but can suffer from separation anxiety so make sure you have enough time to spend with them before opting for this breed.
9. Irish Setter
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Origin:
Ireland
Lifespan:
12 – 15 Years
Weight:
55 – 70 lbs
Initially bred in 18th century Ireland, the Irish Setter was developed specifically for pointing out and retrieving game. Over time they have become cherished and sought-after family pets due to their sweet and friendly disposition. These dogs are outgoing and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train, but once again they have high exercise and mental stimulation requirements so always keep this in mind before making a decision. Their beautiful mahogany coat also requires a lot of grooming to maintain its health and appearance.
10. Labrador Retriever
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Origin:
United Kingdom
Lifespan:
11 – 13 Years
Weight:
55 – 80 lbs
The Labrador Retriever was developed in the United Kingdom in the early 19th century from St. John’s water dogs that were imported from Newfoundland in Canada. Their primary role was, unsurprisingly, seeking out and retrieving game, but they were also commonly used as working dogs for various different jobs. These dogs are some of the most popular family pets in the world, and it’s no surprise; they are affectionate, sociable, gentle, intelligent, and highly trainable, making them perfect companions for families of all shapes and sizes.
11. English Pointer
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Origin:
England
Lifespan:
12 – 17 Years
Weight:
45 – 75 lbs
Originating in England, The English Pointer was bred to track game birds and indicate their location to hunters through their distinctive “pointing” stance. This breed’s lineage includes a mix of hound, spaniel, and setter ancestry, contributing to their keen instincts and versatility when it comes to their usage as sporting dogs. As pets they are energetic and intelligent, making them ideal for active families that spend a lot of time outdoors and are willing and able to give them a lot of time and attention to meet their exercise and mental fulfillment needs.
12. Viszla
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Origin:
Hungary
Lifespan:
12 – 14 Years
Weight:
44 – 60 lbs
The Vizsla, originating from Hungary, is a versatile sporting dog that was bred for pointing out and retrieving game on both land and water. Their sense of smell and strong swimming abilities make them perfectly suited as hunting companions. These dogs tend to do well in agility courses and on the show ring due to their obedience and eagerness to please. Viszlas are affectionate and loyal, but they can suffer from separation anxiety if they’re not given enough attention.
13. Weimaraner
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Origin:
Germany
Lifespan:
10 – 13 Years
Weight:
55 – 90 lbs
The Weimaraner, sometimes referred to as the “Gray Ghost” due to its distinctive gray coat and stealthy hunting abilities, originated in the early 19th century in Germany’s Weimar region. These dogs are versatile hunting companions and are used to track, point to, flush out, and retrieve birds and other game. This breed is friendly and obedient, but they may not be the best fit for families with small children due to their boundless amounts of energy and potential for accidentally rough play.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a large variety of sporting dogs and they come in all shapes and sizes. One trait that they all share is high energy levels, so you should only consider adopting one if you have the time to take them for regular walks, hikes, and outdoor playtime. With that said, if you are able to fulfill their physical and mental needs, these dogs can make some of the most loving, loyal and devoted pet companions that you can find.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.
