Gun dog breeds

Richard Gebhart has trained dogs professionally since 2002. He learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti and, in 2013, under Steve Klassen, expanded to pointers and other upland breeds. These pages are reference guides to twelve breeds that fit the way Californians hunt: ducks and geese in the Delta and Central Valley rivers and rice fields, pheasant and chukar on preserves and public land, quail in the foothills. If your dog is not on the list, or is a mix, ask Richard about your dog on a free consult. Breeds and mixes are his call, not a page on a website.

Which type of gun dog fits the birds you hunt?

Retrievers, including the Labrador, Golden, Chesapeake Bay, Flat-Coated and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, were bred to find and carry shot birds back to the hunter, usually from water. They are the usual choice for ducks and geese, and many also hunt upland birds. Pointers and setters, such as the English Pointer, English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Brittany and Vizsla, find birds by scent and hold a stylish point until the hunter walks up. Spaniels like the English Springer flush birds into the air within gun range and then retrieve.

The retriever, pointer or spaniel guide compares the three styles side by side. For a broader look at how the pieces of training fit together, see the training programs.

How a breed page can help you choose a puppy or a trainer

Each breed page lists origin, AKC group and typical weight from the AKC breed standard, then walks through how a gun dog of that breed is usually started and what handlers tend to ask. Richard's programs are for pointers and retrievers: pups of both start with Puppy Camp, retrievers move on to the Basic Waterfowl Program, and pointing dogs come back for Formal Gun Dog Training. For spaniels and other breeds, ask Richard.

Dogs come to Royal Gun Dogs from all over California for board-and-train, and training happens at Hastings Island Hunting Preserve in Rio Vista. Read which breeds train for the short answer on breeds, then call to talk about your own dog.

Retriever breeds

• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever
• Flat-Coated Retriever
• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Pointing breeds and spaniels

• German Shorthaired Pointer
• German Wirehaired Pointer
• English Pointer
• English Setter
• Brittany
• Vizsla
• English Springer Spaniel