What is Hunting dog?
A '''hunting dog''' is any [[dog]] who helps [[human]]s in [[hunting]]. There are several types of hunting dogs. The major categories of hunting dog include [[hound]]s, [[terrier]]s, [[cur]] type dogs, and [[gun dog]]s. These categories have smaller groups in them that are based on different things the dogs are good at doing. ==Types of hunting dogs== [[Image: Beagle 600.jpg|thumb|right|The Beagle is a [[scent hound]].]] ===Hounds=== There are two types of hounds, ''sight hounds'' and ''scent hounds''. The difference between them is if they use [[sight]] or [[Olfaction|smell]] to find what they are hunting for. They are often used to hunt [[animal]]s with fur. In America, [[raccoon]], [[coyote]], and large [[predator]]s are hunted with hounds, and traditionally in Britain hounds were used to hunt the [[fox]]. ===Gun dog=== These dogs are also called '''bird dogs'''. They are used by hunters who carry [[shotgun]]s to hunt small animals. Gun dogs come in three main classes. The classes are ''retriever''s, ''flushing spaniels'', and ''pointing breeds''. [[File:Golden retr.jpg|thumb|The Golden Retriever is a [[retriever]].]] ===Retrievers=== The main [[job]] of a retriever is to get the animal after the hunter shoots it. Retrievers are very good in the [[water]] and often used by hunters shooting [[duck]]s. ===Flushing spaniels=== Flushing spaniels are used when [[bird]]s being hunted are found in areas where they can hide, for example high [[grass]]. The spaniel will run through the grass. This makes the birds fly into the air so the hunter can shoot them. Spaniels stay close to the hunter so when the birds start to fly, the hunter is close enough to shoot them. ===Pointers=== Pointers find birds then stand still and point at where the bird is. They often are farther away from the hunter than a spaniel would be. By pointing instead of flushing the bird out, they give the hunter time to get close enough to shoot the bird. [[Image:Airedale Terrier.jpg|thumb|The Airedale Terrier is a [[terrier.]]]] ===Terrier