American gun dog breeds are some of the finest in the world. These four represent some of the best and brightest the country has to offer.
Gun dogs are a special breed, whatever the breed may be. They embody the outdoors in a way few other things can. Each is a walking piece of nostalgia, tangibly representing hunts of blissful success and dejecting failure. They keep us company, never criticize our misses and seem to take as much pleasure from the sport of hunting as we do.
To celebrate some of the contributions the United States has made to the world of gun dog breeding, we’ve compiled a list of four species that have their origins in the U.S. Some notable species aren’t listed (the “American” Brittany originally parlez-vous’ed Français), and all breeds descended from immigrants at some point in their lineages, but the ones selected are as close to pure, red-blooded Americans as can be.
If one of your favorite American gun dog breeds doesn’t show up, leave us a comment and picture below telling us why they are so special to you.
Boykin Spaniel
via Wikimedia Commons
South Carolina is as much a turkey destination as it is a duck hunting one. The two birds could both be found in the state’s Wateree River Swamp in the early 1900s, so hunters bred a dog that could tackle them both with ease. It can also stand up to the oppressive southern heat, making it a great selection for bird hunters wanting to visit Dixie.
American Foxhound
via Thinkstock/acceptfoto
Founding Father George Washington was one of the originators of the foxhound breed. He received Grand Bleu de Gascogne French Foxhounds from his friend, the Marquis de Lafayette, around the time of the Revolutionary War. The French dogs mixed with a breed of British dogs Washington also owned.
The mixed breeding created the basis for the modern American breed. E pluribus unum embodied in an American gun dog.
American Water Spaniel
via Noma’s American Water Spaniels
Imagine a gun dog with the retrieving capabilities of a Labrador that took up half the space. You’ve described the American Water Spaniel and the reasoning behind its breeding.
Wisconsin hunters needed a dog small enough to fit in a rowboat without taking up too much room, but also tough enough to handle the miserably cold water temperatures. The breed is somewhat of a rarity outside of the northern midwest but is the state dog of Wisconsin.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
via Thinkstock/Cynthia Lindow
Chessies are named for the Mecca of eastern duck hunting. They were originally bred as retrievers for market hunters, and any animal able to retrieve for a market gunner and his punt gun is a tough and reliable companion. They even “smile” by showing their front teeth.
This marvelous collection features stories from some of America’s finest and most respected writers about every outdoorsman’s favorite and most loyal hunting partner: his dog. For the first time, the stories of acclaimed writers such as Richard Ford, Tom Brokaw, Howell Raines, Rick Bass, Sydney Lea, Jim Harrison, Tom McGuane, Phil Caputo, and Chris Camuto, come together in one collection.
Hunters and non-hunters alike will recognize in these poignant tales the universal aspects of owning dogs: companionship, triumph, joy, forgiveness, and loss. The hunter’s outdoor spirit meets the writer’s passion for detail in these honest, fresh pieces of storytelling. Here are the days spent on the trail, shotgun in hand with Fido on point—the thrills and memories that fill the hearts of bird hunters. Here is the perfect gift for dog lovers, hunters, and bibliophiles of every makeup. Shop Now
