Retrieving Gun Dogs
Retrievers are types of hunting dogs that are specifically trained and bred to find, collect and retrieve game for the hunter. They can be used to bring back both wild game and birds on both the land and in the water. Retrievers are smart and are bred for a willingness to please that makes them great learners.
Retrievers are a valuable resource for hunters as they can be used in waterfowl hunting and upland bird hunting. They are strong swimmers and endurance runners. They have protective coats that allow them to remain in cold water for long periods of time and powerful muscles. Retrievers use a variety of their features to aid hunters in collecting game. First they have a powerful innate instinct to retrieve. They also have an excellent sense of smell to help them locate game. Because of the amount of training a good retriever goes through, one of their best attributes is their intelligence and willingness to please. Hunter’s use this learning feature of retrievers to teach variety of skills. Well trained retrieving dogs remain quiet and steady until the shot and only move when released by the handler. They also use their memories to mark downed birds and locate them when told to. In cases when the dog does not see where the bird has fallen or where multiple birds may be downed, they can use whistles and hand signals from the handler to make a blind retrieve. They can be taught to retrieve game to hand, which is placing the bird directly into the hunter’s hand so they do not have to bend down. They can also be trained to avoid shaking until told to. Another important feature of a good retriever is referred to as a soft mouth. Having a soft mouth prevents the dog from damaging the game and is the most important part of using a dog as a retrieving hunting companion. Game is no use to the hunter if the dog destroys it.
Based on their intelligence, eagerness to please and great social skills, retrievers are used not only as hunting companions, but as family pets and working dogs as well.
