Hunting dogs fall into four broad groups, each bred for a different job in the field.
Pointers
Pointing breeds such as English pointers, setters, Brittanys and German shorthaired pointers find birds and hold a point until the hunter walks in.
Flushers
Spaniels hunt close, find birds and flush them into the air within shotgun range, then retrieve them.
Retrievers
Labrador, golden and Chesapeake Bay retrievers mark downed birds and bring them back from land and water.
Hounds
Scent hounds trail game. Beagles chase rabbits, and coonhounds, developed from colonial foxhounds, trail and tree raccoons.