Gun dogs or bird dogs are types of hunting dogs developed to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game, typically various fowls that are shot down on the flight. The term hunting dog is broad and includes all breeds and skills of hunting canines, but "gun dogs" refers to canines that are trained to work alongside a loud firearm while hunting or retrieving game. Gun dogs are divided into three main categories: pointers and retrievers, setters and spaniels, and water dogs.
Man walking a spaniel gun dog
Painting of a Pointer and two Setters by Johann Wenzel Peter circa 1829
An English Springer Spaniel (Liver and White) and English Cocker Spaniel (Blue Roan)
A yellow male adult Labrador Retriever
Dog types are broad categories of domestic dogs based on form, function, or style of work, lineage, or appearance. Some may be locally adapted dog types that may have the visual characteristics of a modern purebred dog. In contrast, modern dog breeds strictly adhere to long-established breed standards,[note 1] that began with documented foundation breeding stock sharing a common set of inheritable characteristics, developed by long-established, reputable kennel clubs that recognize the dog as a purebred.
Cart dogs, c. 1900; different in appearance but doing the same work
An extinct Turnspit dog, 1800
Sled dogs, 1833