Beginner's Guide to Sporting Dogs

Loveable and very active, sporting dogs were originally bred to assist hunters with catching game and make for wonderful outdoor companions. Naturally active and alert, these dogs are intelligent, energetic and strong. They have a great work ethic and specific biological traits that make them excellent out in the field. These breeds are perfect for active people and big families, as they require lots of attention and energy.

Training a dog for sport takes more work than a regular canine, but they are often willing students. Put in the time and you will be rewarded with a wonderful and willing companion.

What Are Sporting Dogs?

Sporting dogs have been bred to be companions and aid with hunting and field activities. Known to have superior instincts in the water and the woods, sporting dog breeds require plenty of regular and invigorating exercise. These canine’s also make great working dogs and can be utilized for jobs such as therapy, assistance and search and rescue.

Popular Sporting Dog Breeds

We’ve chosen four of the most popular sporting dog breeds:

• Spaniels: Energetic and always ready to play, spaniels make a great sporting dog not only for their temperament, but also for their size. They are big enough to be sporty, but also compact enough to be portable.


• Pointers: Bred to point in the direction of game for hunters, these dogs have plenty of energy and require lots of exercise. The pointer often has a very distinctive stance, standing tall and proud to point the hunter in the right direction.


• Retrievers: Originally bred to retrieve game for hunters, this breed is always ready for action. Retrievers are natural athletes that excel in a range of sports and activities.


• Setters: These dogs were trained to hunt independently over long ranges. Setters are similar to pointers and have friendly, inquisitive personalities with high energy levels

Characteristics of Sporting Dogs

Sporting dogs are energetic, athletic, intelligent and have good tempers - they’ve been bred and developed over centuries to take advantage of their physical traits and hunting abilities. These canines have a strong desire for companionship and are always eager to please their owners. With boundless energy, working dogs have non-stop drive and a tireless work ethic, meaning they are great partners out in the field.

Tips For Training Your Sporting Dog

As with most forms of canine training, puppies are the best learners. Their endless energy and young, moldable minds make them very willing pupils. That said, this doesn’t mean older dogs can’t be trained for sporting purposes. They might be a little slower catching on, but they are always keen to learn.

The idea of training a sporting dog may seem hard, but with basic obedience and a good connection to the owner, any dog can learn. Dogs have an innate desire to please their owners, so with consistent training, they’ll be learning new skills in no time.

Once the basic commands are mastered, sit, stay, heel, etc, you can move on and begin practicing more specific sporting dog training. Skills such as a finding game, ranging and quartering, working the ground and wind are all fundamentals that sporting dogs can learn.

Dog training should be fun for both the dog and the owner. If it’s not fun, then something needs to change. There are a few simple and very important things not to forget. Consider your consistency, patience and standards and this will help bring out the best in your dog. Not only is it fun and enriching for your pup to learn, practicing these things helps strengthen the bond between the owner and pet.

Be Consistent

Consistency will help you improve the overall communication between you and your dog and also make them feel less anxious. When a dog displays good behavior, like running in a straight line, or following the correct command, they are rewarded with a treat, pat, or some kind of positive reinforcement. The consistency in the commands, responses, reinforcements and rewards all play a key role in a canine developing the right behaviors. Being inconsistent in these can lead to miscommunication and confusion for a pup. Dogs may not understand human language terribly well, but they are very responsive to verbal cues and consistency in this will pay dividends.

Have Patience

Training a dog requires a lot of patience and things take time, for both the dog and the handler. There are great techniques out there to train dogs, but even with the best advice, if you aren't patient you won’t get results. Dogs can pick up on a human's attitude, and this can greatly affect their ability and willingness to learn. When a dog is having fun, they are open and ready for anything. If you can incorporate play with learning they will be great students and make training a lot easier.

That said, our canine friends are learning and the best way to teach them is with reinforcement of positive feedback, which means repetition. Repetition takes patience, and once you and your dog get the hang of things, it will be deeply rewarding for your relationship and make training something to look forward to.

Set Standards

Without standards in place, boundaries won’t be set and the environment for a dog to learn will be confusing. The more confusing training is for a dog, the less likely they will be to form a solid foundation of behaviors, which makes setting standards early on so important. There are several pillars that a trainer can follow to set the standard when teaching a dog. These include boundaries, structure, accountability, discipline and fulfillment. Come up with a plan, set the standards from day one, and the learning experience will be much more enjoyable and beneficial for both you and your dog.

Enter In Sporting Dog Competitions

Dogs find challenges fun and there are heaps of different ways to get your dog into sporting competitions. There are all different forms of competitions and activities, from very serious tests with prizes and money at stake, to more friendly meets where you can test your dog for the joy of the challenge. It provides a great opportunity to get outdoors, meet some like-minded people with a passion for dogs and most importantly, create a stronger bond with your four-legged companion.

Nutritional Needs of Sporting Dogs

Like any canine athlete, training and conditioning are essential to keeping your sporting dog in peak physical shape. Equally important is a dog’s diet, as nutrition plays a huge role in overall performance. With a quality diet and continued training, your dog will be at the top of its game.

Combining essential amino acids, triglycerides and specific DHA and antioxidants will help form the basis for tissue and muscle regeneration, help carry oxygen to muscles and strengthen a dogs aerobic ability and cognitive function. These elements will set up the foundations for not only your sporting dog's health, but also its success. Eukanuba™ Premium Performance 30/20 Sport is a great product to consider once your dog is actively training.

Sporting dogs are not just great for canine sports, they make the perfect pet for active people and can be fantastic companions for high-energy activities such as hiking, running and swimming. With dedication, consistent training and the right fuel, you and your sporting dog can look forward to years of exciting and memorable outdoor excursions together.