The American Kennel Club divides show dogs into seven different groups: Sporting, Non-Sporting, Hounds, Terriers, Toy, and Working. Each group has particular characteristics in common.
The Sporting Group includes dogs that were bred for pointing, flushing, and retrieving game, especially birds. Pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels are all found in the Sporting Group. These breeds are known for their instincts both in the water and in the woods. Sporting Group dogs hunt by air scent — rather than ground scent, like Hound Group dogs.
Pointers are known for standing still in front of their quarry, using nose and body to point the hunter towards the prey. Setters were trained to set (crouch) in front of the quarry for a hunter to capture with a net. As hunting birds with guns became more popular, setters were trained to point. And as the name implies, retrievers were responsible for finding the downed prey and bringing it back to the hunter. Spaniels are known for their ability to flush prey from hiding into flight.
Water spaniels and some retrievers are specially equipped for the water. They may have a water repellant coat or webbed feet to make swimming easier when retrieving fallen waterfowl.
To this day, many of the Sporting Group dogs continue to actively participate in hunting and other field activities like agility and lure coursing. Sporting Group dogs are active dogs that require a LOT of regular, high-energy exercise.
Breeds in the Sporting Group include:
- Brittany Spaniel
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Cocker Spaniel
- English Setter
- Golden Retriever
- Irish Setter
- Labrador Retriever
- Vizsla
- Weimaraner
- Springer Spaniels (English and Welsh)
- Water Spaniels (American and Irish)
You can visit the American Kennel Club for a full list of breeds included in the Sporting Group and other show groups.
Learn more about different breeds of dogs!