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GundogsGundogs are a noble and energetic breed, depicted through history in paintings and prints. I've chosen a selection of posters and calendars of Gundogs and they're available at the bottom of this page: Gundog Calendars and Posters
Georgie and Hector, the Golden Retrievers, get ready for an exciting car trip!
The Gundogs Group The Gundogs group (called Sporting Dogs in America) have all been bred to assist hunters in different ways. Many of the breeds have interchangeable skills.
There are four categories of Gundog: Retrievers, Spaniels, Hunt/Point/Retrieve and Setters with the Spaniels being the largest sub-group. The third category includes the Hungarian Viszla and the Weimaraner. Interestingly the three most popular registered breeds in the UK all come from this group. They are the Labrador Retriever in first place, the Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel.
For more details about the Golden Retriever click here.
The Pointers often ran ahead of the hunt, freezing when they saw game indicating its location to the hunter and standing immobile if necessary for an hour or more awaiting the next command. The Setters would do the same but then drop to the ground.
Labrador Retrievers originate in Newfoundland, Canada where they used to work alongside fishermen, swimming through icy waters bringing in the fishing nets. Trade in salted cod early in the nineteenth century brought the breed to England where many fishermen were persuaded by English landowners to sell their dogs. The breed soon became recognised as excellent gundogs and it was the Earl of Malmesbury who first called them Labradors in 1887.
The Labrador is one of the world’s most popular breeds. They are characteristically gregarious, friendly, intelligent, energetic, good with children and notoriously greedy! Prone to putting on weight and scavenging in undesirable places, their diets should be monitored carefully.
The Hungarian Vizsla is Hungary’s national dog. They are an active breed needing plenty of exercise and were originally used for hunting and falconry. They are thought to date back to 1000 AD when prints have been found showing Magyar hunters (the early settlers in Hungary) with dogs and falcons. The dogs resembled the Vizsla breed that we know today.
Both sexes weigh around 20 - 30kg with males on average 60.5cm at the withers (base of the neck above the shoulders) and females 56.5cm. Their coat is short, smooth and shiny and there is little shedding. The colour is usually described as ‘russet gold’and they are said to be gentle, intelligent, obedient and affectionate.
Weimaraners originated from Germany and were first used to hunt wolves, bears and boars. As a consequence they tend to be a fearless breed, needing firm control and plenty of exercise. It is thought that the Weimaraner was developed by crossing Bloodhounds with a variety of hunting dogs. Both the Hungarian Vizsla and the Weimaraner are in the Hunt/Point/Retrieve sub-group of the Gundogs. Here is Jasper, a six year old Weimarana enjoying his walk in the woods. Notice his striking tail, a feature often docked in working dogs.
Here is Blanche, an Italian Spinone, a breed originally used for retrieving game but today used as all purpose gundogs - ie. they can hunt, point and retrieve. The coat of the Italian Spinone is harsh and wiry and they have a distinctive moustache, beard and hairy eyebrows. A sensitive, slow maturing breed, they respond well to gentle training over a long period. They are active dogs needing considerable exercise - approximately 60 - 80 minutes a day. Dogs should measure between 60-70cms at the withers and weigh between 34 - 39kgs. Bitches should ideally measure between 59-65cms at the withers and weigh between 29-34kgs. Thank you to Hamish for letting me photograph Blanche, a fine example of a rare and gentle breed.
The Pointer, or English Pointer as they are also known, are energetic dogs, eager to work, loyal and obedient. They were originally used in England in the 1600s working alongside Greyhounds pointing to the hares that the hounds would then seize.
Females are on average around 63.5cm in height and weigh around 26kg; males average 66cm in height and weigh around 30kg. Their coats are short and smooth and they require little grooming. The standard coat colours of the Pointer are liver, lemon, orange or black, with solid colouring, speckled with white (ticking) or featuring larger patches of colour.
This is Abi, a fifteen month old people-loving Pointer, who gives everybody an enthusiastic welcome!
We have been lucky enough to meet these dogs on our morning or evening dog walks and the owners have very kindly allowed us to use the photos.
Remember to click on the photo for more details on the Breed Standard.
Photographic Print Photographic Print Photographic Print Photographic Print Photographic Print For more dog posters, go straight to the Dog Page at AllPosters.com 
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