Meet the Athletic and Trainable Dogs of the AKC Sporting Group

There are 32 recognized breeds in the American Kennel Club (AKC) Sporting Group. These dogs are athletic, trainable, and love the outdoors. Many make excellent gun dogs, or as they are commonly called, bird dogs. These dogs are essential helpers during a hunt by locating, flushing out, and retrieving catches like pheasant, duck, dove, and quail.

Some gun dog breeds, such as spaniels and retrievers, specialize in locating and flushing out birds, chasing them out into the open. Others, like pointers and setters, are adept at locating and pointing at birds, allowing hunters to sneak up and shoot. Some gun dog breeds excel at both locating prey and carefully retrieving it for their owners. Gun dogs can also participate in competitions, like field trials, where their skills are put to the test. Continue reading to learn about ten of these breeds.

1. English Springer Spaniel

Spaniels are sometimes referred to as ‘flushing spaniels’. A variety of spaniels have been bred to flush out birds for hunters, but one of the most popular breeds is the English springer spaniel. These are medium-sized dogs, weighing around 40-50 pounds. They have long, white fur mixed with other colors like black, tan, and liver. English springer spaniels also have characteristically long ears that hang on the side of their heads.

2. Boykin Spaniel

Boykins are a newer spaniel breed in the AKC’s sporting group. These dogs were originally bred in South Carolina in the early 20th century. Hunting along the Wateree River Swamp required hunters to travel in small boats to access the best areas. The dogs they used for hunting, like Labrador retrievers, were too big for the boats. Boykins are the result of breeding smaller dogs with the same tenacity as retrievers. Boykins weigh between 30 and 40 pounds and get to be about 18 inches tall. They have longer coats that are a uniform dark brown, ranging from deep chocolate to liver. One unique feature of the Boykin is that it has webbed toes that make it an excellent swimmer. This is why the South Carolinians loved using them to hunt for waterfowl.

3. Labrador Retriever

As the name suggests, Labrador retrievers are natural retrievers, but they are also excellent trackers and flushers. Labrador retrievers have long been a favorite among Pheasants Forever members, though recent surveys show the German shorthaired pointer is now the most popular bird dog breed among its members. Labs remain one of the most popular dog breeds in America overall. They have a short but double-layered coat that comes in three colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. A mother lab can have puppies with a variety of colors in the same litter. Labs are medium to large dogs, ranging in size from 55 to 80 pounds and standing 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall. They love to swim and are excellent around children and other dogs.

4. Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers are similar to Labrador retrievers but have a thicker, longer coat that is typically golden. These lush coats can vary from a light golden to a reddish-golden color. Their friendly faces match their carefree gait, which shows they are ready for anything. Goldens weigh 55 to 75 pounds and stand 21.5 to 24 inches tall. Like labs, they love to swim, which makes them excellent at hunting waterfowl, but their versatility makes them wonderful upland hunters, too. Just like labs, they are great with children and other dogs.

Hunters who use their dogs as retrievers want them to gently return the birds without damage. Goldens are among the best at this. A video from People Magazine shows Golden Retrievers being tested to see if they can hold an egg in their mouth without breaking. The video shows that, time and time again, this is no problem for the gentle Golden. 

5. English Pointer

Pointer, as the name implies, describes the hunting behavior of these dogs, in which they track a quarry. Instead of chasing the quarry to flush it out for the hunters, the dogs freeze and stare in the direction of the animals, pointing them out for the hunters. English pointers can cover a large range when hunting and work well with other dogs. They have great stamina and enjoy training and hunting. Pointers are medium to large dogs weighing 45 to 75 pounds and growing 23 to 28 inches tall. They are lean, athletic dogs with excellent endurance, making them good pets for runners. As hunting dogs, they are great upland hunters and work well in warmer climates. This breed dates back to the mid-17th century, originating in England.

6. German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs) are lean, muscular dogs similar to English Pointers. They are bred to be all-around hunters that can hunt, point, and retrieve. They are versatile and can be trained to find rabbits, raccoons, and deer as well. These dogs weigh 45 to 70 pounds and grow to be 21 to 25 inches tall. 

7. Vizsla

Vizslas were bred to hunt and are excellent in the field and water. They are lean dogs that are a bit smaller than their English counterparts, weighing 45 to 60 pounds. Vizslas are recognized by their short, golden-rust-colored coat. Because of their stamina, they make good running partners.

8. English Setter

Setters are a breed of dog that have long been trained to hunt. They were originally trained to set, or crouch down, when they spotted quarry, but now they follow the tradition of pointing. English setters are medium to large-sized dogs that have a short, speckled coat. They can get to be as big as 80 pounds, but many are closer to 45 to 75 pounds. English setters are primarily used for upland bird hunting. They have a gentle temperament and get along with children and other dogs.

9. Brittany (Brittany Spaniel)

These dogs were originally called Brittany spaniels, but over time, their characteristics have come to resemble those of pointers and setters more closely, so they are now simply called Brittanys. They are excellent upland bird dogs and are smaller, weighing between 30 and 40 pounds and standing 17 to 20 inches tall. Despite their smaller size, they can cover a large area when out in the field. Their coat is long and wavy, with white and liver markings.

10. Weimaraner

The Weimaraner Club of America hosts its own AKC-sanctioned National Walking Championship specifically for this breed, which is included in the AKC’s sporting group. Weimaraners are skilled all-around gun dogs, being excellent at pointing and retrieving. They were originally bred to hunt larger prey like boar, deer, and bear, but are now valuable upland hunters. Weimaraners are lean, agile dogs that have sleek gray coats that almost look hairless. They weigh 55 to 90 pounds and can get to be 27 inches tall. They also make excellent family pets, are eager learners, and get along with children.