The Sporting Group

Your family lifestyle
Whether the dog is to be kept primarily indoors or outdoors, in an apartment, or on private property large or small
The amount of time required to maintain the coat and provide proper exercise
A safe and adequate enclosure when unattended outdoors
Whether he will be used for hunting or as a family pet

	Brittany Named after the French province considered to be their place of origin, this is a short-backed, compact, leggy, short-tailed dog that comes in two recognized colors in North America - orange and white and liver and white. Brittanys combine the open-field ranging of the setters with the pointing ability of the pointers. They are agile and quick, but also make excellent companion dogs.
	Pointer Probably the earliest gun dog used to point (stand game) far in advance of any others is of English origin. An aristocratic, muscular, close-coated dog ranging in size from 25-28 inches for dogs and 23-26 inches for bitches, he is an enthusiastic upland game dog, but does not like water. The Pointer is a great hunting companion whose loving nature makes him an ideal family dog.
	German Short Haired Pointer The German Short haired Pointer was developed to combine the attributes that make him an all-around hunting dog. To this end, the Germans combined the English Pointer with German and Spanish hunting dogs, including hounds. The end result is a dog that is not only a good pointer but also a great tracker and retriever, equally at home working on land or water. He is of medium size and makes a devoted, loving companion. His color is liver and white in various combinations or solid liver.
	German Wirehaired Pointer This breed is similar in background to the Curly-Coated Retriever with the exception that there is much more English blood in their background. He is an excellent retriever on both land and water and is a very friendly dog that enjoys human companionship and thrives on family life as much as hunting. His popularity has decreased with the advent of the Labrador Retriever, but those who know him are devoted to this gentle dog.
	Chesapeake Bay Retriever This breed is a very athletic and hearty dog that thrives in the outdoors. Although he plays rougher than most retrievers, the Chessie works as hard as any. An enjoyable companion, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever will thrive with family time. Training for general obedience as well as field work should begin in small doses from a young age.
	Curly-Coated Retriever His excellent swimming abilities and retrieving make the Curly-Coat a natural hunter. Kind, friendly, intelligent and loyal, the Curly-Coat is good with children and family. However, he is reserved with strangers and does not like excessive handling from them. Although he will adjust to life indoors, the Curly-Coated Retriever would be happiest living near a lake or pond where he would have the opportunity to swim. Once he's in the water, it's hard to get the Curly-Coat out.
	Flat-Coated Retriever Like his glistening coat, the Flat-Coated Retriever shimmers with personality. He is a very outgoing and devoted dog that has never met a stranger he didn't like. Even though he is a hunting dog, his even temper and friendliness give him what it takes to be the perfect family dog.
	Golden Retriever This breed has become extremely popular as a family dog because of his gentle, tail-wagging nature and success as an obedience dog, field tracker and retriever on land and water. Originating in Scotland by crossing a Tweed Water Spaniel and a smaller type of Newfoundland, later crosses with Irish Setters and other water spaniels produced a strong and hearty water dog. The Golden's popularity rose in England in the later years of the 19th century, and it soon became popular in North America. As in any breed, popularity brings its problems, so care should be taken to seek out a responsible breeder.
	Labrador Retriever This breed actually came from Newfoundland, the name Labrador being attached later after they came to England and were bred to other retrievers. The Lab was developed to be a very strong, medium-sized dog of great athletic ability with a coat that sheds water like oil. Labs are especially good in the water, having webbed feet that they use like paddles. They also work well in the field. Due to their strength and high energy, they have become very popular among North American hunters as a family companion. They can be black, yellow or chocolate in color.
	English Setter As the name implies, this breed was developed in England and is known as the Llewellyn strain, which later combined with the Duke-Roches strain from which all English Setters are descended. They are good upland gun dogs but also make desirable family dogs. They have a kind, loving disposition embodied in an animal of beauty, intelligence and nobility. Setters are bred for open-field hunting, so they must have the opportunity to exercise. All have a white background coat with different degrees of color referred to as orange, blue, lemon, liver belton and tricolor (a blue belton with tan on muzzle, over eyes and on legs).
	Gordon Setter This native of Scotland is a handsome black and tan dog that combines beauty with intelligence and great bird hunting ability. The name comes from the Duke of Gordon, who brought the breed to prominence. Unlike the other setters, he is not as fast, but is a slower, methodical bird dog who works closer to the hunter. Gordons have been trained in recent years to work further afield, but close or farther away, it would be rare that he doesn't find and point a bird. He is a loving family dog, gentle and loyal, who does not take kindly to unwanted intruders.
	Irish Setter A very stylish breed, his rich mahogany color has made him popular for years. Interestingly, his ancestors in Ireland were rarely solid colored, being mostly red and white; to this day, many are still part-colored. To designate that only the red dog was desired in the United States, the Irish Setter Club of America originally named the breed the Red Irish Setter. Though they possessed great bird skill, their beauty was their undoing. Unlike the English and Gordon owners, Irish Setter owners became less and less interested in field trials so that the breed's use as hunters waned as their beauty and style gained in the show ring. They do retain their hunting instinct, and if called upon can do the job well. They excel as loving family dogs that do best with adequate exercise.
	American Water Spaniel The origins of this American breed, like so many other gun dogs, is obscure, but it is fair to speculate that the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever and Old English Water Spaniel all contributed. They developed to their greatest potential in the midwestern United States, where for many generations they were bred true to type and color. They are outstanding retrievers that can happily and quickly recover several birds at once. It is said they "swim like seals." They are equally good at flushing, springing rabbits and upland game birds. All this talent combines with being a family lover and watchdog.
	Clumber Spaniel The Clumber is a long, low, heavy dog with massive bone that is a good hunter and works well in thick cover. He works closely, always within gun range. His deliberateness makes him a great companion for the hunter who is not in a hurry to cover a lot of ground. He is a white dog with lemon or orange markings on face and legs but should have little if any markings on the body. A spot near the root is not uncommon, however. The Clumber is a dignified, loyal and affectionate dog who may be reserved with strangers. Those who know him endear him.
	Cocker Spaniel This is considered one breed but is divided into three varieties by colors: black, ASCOB (All Solid Color Other than Black) and partly colored. With that exception, they are all the same. This is the smallest of the gun dogs, and they have gained great popularity as a show dog and as a pet over the years. Very few are used to hunt small game such as woodcock, for which they were once famous. Today's Cocker is a much more heavily furnished dog, as greater emphasis has gone toward the coat. They have a merry, tail-wagging disposition and make excellent companions, but require regular grooming.
	English Cocker Spaniel Known in England as the Cocker Spaniel, the differences between the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel are a matter of selection for a specific type. The English Cocker is taller than the American. Originally separated by size only, Cockers and Springers developed side by side so that their characteristics are the same. They are energetic, happy hunters and are still used for small game like woodcock. They make excellent family dogs, are energetic without over exuberance, and are good with children. They are solid or parti-colored with combinations of black, liver and shades of red.
	English Springer Spaniel The Springer Spaniel ranks high in the class of field dogs. He is a medium size, correctly proportioned, moderately feathered dog that is an outstanding hunter. He quarters energetically and upon finding the bird, points and moves in to flush it with a springing action. They are good family dogs that enjoy the comforts of family life as much as they do the hunt.
	Field Spaniel The Field Spaniel was slow to become established in North America because he was a very exaggerated dog. It was only after several crosses with Springers and Cockers that the desired breed type was established. Their ideal height is 18 inches and their color is commonly black and liver. They are persistent hunters and will retrieve on land and water. They are very docile and sensitive, but fun loving and intelligent. They enjoy human companionship and family life.
	Irish Water Spaniel This breed's close similarity to the Poodle wins him many admirers. He is a fun-loving sporting breed who is a natural water athlete and who needs an active owner. The Irish Water Spaniel is a bold and eager dog that demonstrates great loyalty toward his owner and is less inclined to warm up to unfamiliar people.
	Sussex Spaniel Named for Sussex, England, they were originally recognized as a short-legged, massive-looking, golden liver-colored dog of strength and endurance ideally suited for working in dense underbrush. He has never gained great popularity in numbers in North America but remains remarkably unchanged from his 19th-century ancestors. Although they have a somber, serious expression, they are very friendly and have a cheerful disposition.
	Welsh Springer Spaniel The uniquely red-and-white dog has existed for several hundred years in Wales and western England. They are excellent hunters in water as well as on land. When well trained, he is considered to be an outstanding gun dog. They make an excellent companion and family dog, are gentle with children, and make a good watchdog. Not as popular as the larger English Springer, they do have a strong, devoted following.
	Vizsla The Vizsla is regarded as a Hungarian breed, although its origins probably began with the infamous Magyar hordes that overran Central Europe over 1,000 years ago. The Vizsla has a unique hunting ability developed from working in open plains where a dog had to be very fast but also intelligently cautious so as not to alarm the game that was mostly without cover. The result is a close, careful worker that is a pointer and retriever on land or water. They are gentle, loving, affectionate, fearless dogs that are protective of family.
	Weimaraner The Weimaraner is both a pointer and a retriever developed in Germany to be an all-purpose hunter. This uniquely gray-colored dog is an individual companion hunter. He has proven to be a good obedience dog as well. Definitely a family dog that enjoys life to the fullest. Kennel life is not for them.
	Wirehaired Pointing Griffon This is a rare gun dog breed that is a multi talented hunter. His abilities as a hunter are far superior to most other recognized gun dog breeds. A very physical and able dog, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is highly trainable and has much more energy for the hunt than most serious hunters. Within the home, Griffons are quite affectionate.