Also known as the Italian pointer, you can trace the bracco Italiano roots or "Italian hound" back to the 5th century. They are one of Europe's oldest pointers. In the early 20th century, a dedicated breeding program helped revive
Often referred to as spaniels, the Brittany is a pointing breed. These dogs developed around the 17th century in the Northern region of Brittany. These versatile hunting dogs are compact, medium-sized dogs. Their size, skills, and temperament make these canines a high-demand choice.
The English pointer is often referred to simply as a pointer. Although it has origins dating back to the 17th century, the breed took shape the following century. These dogs grew in popularity with the growth of the sport of shooting birds in flight in England.
The English setter is the most popular of three silky-coated setters to originate in the United Kingdom. Like the bracco Italiano, this breed has a long heritage. 15th-century art features dogs that look similar to this setter.
Germany is well-known for its diligent development of skilled hunting dogs. Some experts believe them to be the most versatile and capable all-around hunting dog. This breed resulted from the crosses of English and Spanish pointers and the now-extinct German bird dog.
The spinone Italiano is another Italian pointing breed. These dogs hail from the country's Piedmont region and got their name from the thorny "spino" undergrowth they had to negotiate when hunting.
The Hungarian vizsla (meaning "tracker") can be traced to the 8th century when ancient Magyar clans roamed the country. These agile dogs had great endurance, making them invaluable hunting partners for the tribesman. They were highly prized by the nobleman of the country for their speed and versatility.
The Weimaraner is another German breed that is known for its pointing skills. Although hunters initially used them for searching for big game, the Weimaraner began to gain popularity as an all-around gun dog.
he Irish setter was bred for hunting. It "sets" or locates and points hunters toward gamebirds. These dogs are a wide-ranging hunter, well-suited to fields and wet or dry moors. They use their excellent sense of smell to find birds.
The largest of the three setter breeds, the Gordon setter, is challenging for the novice dog owner. It has a strong protective instinct and wariness around strangers. This hunter companion crouches down, freezes, and "sets,"