Comparing Breeds
Cindy H.
the difference in Spaniels. I know they are predominantly sporting dogs. But
what exactly sets them apart from the other sporting dogs? For example, the
retriever is of course to retrieve. The pointers are supposed to point. So
what is the function of the spaniels?
The second question is regarding setters. What exactly is the setter? Oddly,
I grew up with two Irish setters, and still don't know. Aren't they
"pointers"? If so, where does the work "setter" come from?
TIA!
--
Cindy Holden
dho...@ideafamilies.org
*Remove nospam from email address before replying*
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."
-- Roger Caras
star chavez
is
the difference in Spaniels. I know they are predominantly sporting dogs.
But
what exactly sets them apart from the other sporting dogs? For example,
the
retriever is of course to retrieve. The pointers are supposed to point. So
I think all of the spaniels flush. Meaning that they flush the game out of
the brush.
hope this helps.
Cin & Sid (non-flusher:)
Ludwig Smith
<dho...@ideafamilies.orgnospam> wrote:
>I'm currently working on a project involved in comparing breeds. One area is
>the difference in Spaniels. I know they are predominantly sporting dogs. But
>what exactly sets them apart from the other sporting dogs? For example, the
>retriever is of course to retrieve. The pointers are supposed to point. So
>what is the function of the spaniels?
Well, nobody knows exactly. That's why the Brittany people had the
Spaniel appellation taken off. Such a useful breed shouldn't be
classified with the rest of the Spaniels.
>The second question is regarding setters. What exactly is the setter? Oddly,
>I grew up with two Irish setters, and still don't know. Aren't they
>"pointers"? If so, where does the work "setter" come from?
Well it's not surprising that your Setters didn't tell you. They
probably didn't know themselves. Setters have the reputation of being
the dumb blondes of the dog world - next to Sighthounds. They were
supposed to be Pointers, but didn't quite know what to do when they
found a bird, so they just 'settled down' to think about it.
Have I offended enough breeds yet?
These are pretty basic questions and could be answered by a quick
reading of a general dog breed book.
Ludwig Smith (top...@erols.com)
Dog FAQs:
http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/
Bob Haslett
ground birds. They can easily be trained to retrieve, and the Brittany is
the only pointing spaniel.
Cindy H. wrote in message <36bd0...@pavlof.gci.net>...
>I'm currently working on a project involved in comparing breeds. One area
is
>the difference in Spaniels. I know they are predominantly sporting dogs.
But
>what exactly sets them apart from the other sporting dogs? For example, the
>retriever is of course to retrieve. The pointers are supposed to point. So
>what is the function of the spaniels?
>
>The second question is regarding setters. What exactly is the setter?
Oddly,
>I grew up with two Irish setters, and still don't know. Aren't they
>"pointers"? If so, where does the work "setter" come from?
>
Joan Van Doornick
Cindy H. wrote in message <36bd0...@pavlof.gci.net>...
>I'm currently working on a project involved in comparing breeds. >
>-- Roger Caras
Group 1, or Sporting Dogs, is also referred to internationally as gun dogs.
However, even before guns were used to hunt, there were dogs that primarily
worked as bird dogs.
Pointers freeze in the classic point when birds are located, allowing the
hunter to either flush them himself to shoot, or send in a beater, or
another dog, to shoot. Before guns, the bush or area where the birds were
would be netted.
Setters are a little like Pointers, in that they freeze when game is
located. But, they flatten low to the ground or 'set'. This is a good
thing, for one can shoot over them or throw nets past them. Both of the
above are upland game bird dogs.
Retrievers, by definition, do not find the game. They go get it when it is
shot, and this is usually in water, since the birds are easily located in
this environment.
Correct, the Brittany is not a true Spaniel, but rather a pointer, that
looks a little like a Spaniel, and can be trained to work like a Spaniel,
but his instinct is that of a pointer. Know of a few that are excellent
water retrievers as well, so do not fall into an easy category.
Spaniels are flushing dogs. They will freeze for a few moments when game is
located, then, watching their handler, move in when the hunter is ready, and
flush the birds to air. They are primarily upland game bird dogs, but I
have known quite a few that retrieved with the best of the labs and goldens.
They will retrieve fallen birds, have a very soft mouth and are very
tractable. Because of their size, they also make excellent family pets.
Cocker Spaniels (Eng or Am) were used to hunt woodcock. I owned one that
retrieved my errant Plymouth Rock rooster regularily, in full to the ground
blond show coat. Setters, true, are kind of dumb, and many Irish get
themselves lost in their exuberance for the hunt. Gordons are a little more
settled, and the best I have seen were good field English. Show English
just don't have much left. By the way, I bred and showed American Cockers
for 20 years until the genetics got too much to handle. Now, I am living
with Salukis, Afghans, and Whippets. Have for 25 years. THEY ARE NOT THE
DUMB BLONDS OF THE DOG WORLD. Indeed, they are too smart to jump into cold
water, sit in wet grass, or run through brambles. Just because a dog
doesn't see the need to do these dumb things doesn't mean he is without
brains. Actually, he questions your intelligence. Love these critters, and
feel like we have a partnership based on trust rather than a god to slave
relationship. Buy a good book. If you can find them, get old issues of
magazines like the Flushing Spaniel (I think Norman Austin was Ed.) and get
in touch with the American Spaniel Club. It is the oldest specialty breed
club in the US. The info is out there. Hope this helps.
>