Gun Dogs
Gun dogs were bred to accompany hunters in the field. They are bred to work closely with people and also other dogs, so they are quite friendly and predictable with both, including kids. They have so much energy and stamina to spare—theyre the perfect hiking companions. These extra active dogs are the companions for you, if you love physical activity. The downside is that these dogs usually dont calm down with age—there are Irish setters who are 11 years old, and they still have the same endless energy as they did when they were small puppies. If they dont get enough exercise, this energy can make them anxious at home.
Within the gun dog group, there are breeds such as golden and Labrador retrievers and German shorthaired pointers. The pointers have more energy and theyre more difficult to train, while retrievers usually make affable family pets, theyre gentle, and tend to mellow with age, even though they still love long walks and playing time. Many of the gun dogs are notorious for running, and if they dont have consistent training, you cannot expect them to come happily back to you after fun in the park. Even though they are gentle with people, they have strong chase instincts that mean that the gun dogs can be dangerous with small animals.
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