How Do You Choose A Gun Dog?
If you want a dog to take hunting with you, she will have to be cool around gunfire. It’s natural for a dog to be startled by loud noises, but some breeds have a calmer temperament than others, which can make them steady hunting companions. But even within breeds, each dog is different. Before you shop for a gun dog, you have to know what qualities to look for. Look through your dog book to make sure the breed you are considering has been bred for the purpose you intend. Some dogs instinctively point at prey to show a hunter where to shoot (e.g., pointers). Other dogs are bred to retrieve an animal that has already been shot (e.g., retrievers). Some dogs are used to track down scents, whether that of a raccoon or of an escaped convict (e.g., coon hounds and bloodhounds). And still other dogs are bred for protection and security work (e.g., German shepherds and Doberman pinschers). These breeds of dogs need to be able to work well around gunfire, and a good dog breed book will describe
