Selected breeds of sporting dogs

name origin height in inches* dogs (bitches) weight in pounds* dogs (bitches) characteristics comments

American cocker spaniel (cocker spaniel) U.S. 15 (14) 24–29 (same) long coat with thick feathering on legs and belly originally used in hunting; now primarily a pet or show dog

Brittany France 17.5–20.5 (same) 30–40 (same) tailless or short tail; flat, fine coat similar to a setter; originally named Brittany spaniel

Chesapeake Bay retriever U.S. 23–26 (21–24) 65–80 (55–70) dense, coarse coat; strong, powerful body excellent duck hunter

Clumber spaniel France 19–20 (17–19) 70–85 (55–70) white coat; long, heavy body; massive head popular among British royalty

English cocker spaniel (cocker spaniel) England 16–17 (15–16) 28–34 (26–32) solid, compact body; coat is less feathered than its American counterpart popular since the 19th century; noted for its balance

English setter England 24–25 (same) 40–70 (same) flecked with color; long head mellow disposition; valued as gun dog and companion

English springer spaniel (springer spaniel) England 20 (19) 50 (40) medium-sized; docked tail; moderately long coat noted for endurance and agility

German shorthaired pointer (pointer) Germany 23–25 (21–23) 55–70 (45–60) medium-sized; deep chest; broad ears long-lived; versatile hunter and all-purpose gun dog

golden retriever Scotland 23–24 (21.5–22.5) 65–75 (55–65) powerful body; water-repellent coat in various shades of gold noted for gentle and affectionate nature

Irish setter Ireland 27 (25) 70 (60) elegant build; mahogany or chestnut coat with feathering on ears, legs, belly, and chest physically most pointerlike of the setters

Labrador retriever Canada 22.5–24.5 (21.5–23.5) 65–80 (55–70) medium-sized; muscular build; otterlike tail popular in England and U.S.; working gun dog, often used as guide or rescue dog

pointer England 25–28 (23–26) 55–75 (44–65) muscular build; tapered tail; short, dense coat acquire hunting instinct at about two months of age

vizsla Hungary 22–24 (21–23) 40–60 (same) medium-sized; light build; short, smooth coat in various shades of golden rust nearly extinct at end of World War I; shorthaired and wirehaired varieties

Weimaraner Germany 25–27 (23–25) 70–85 (same) gray coat; medium-sized; graceful dates to early 19th century

*1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram