Part Two: Hunting with your gundog breed

In Part One of this blog, we explored the core of gundog hunting instincts, why they’re impossible to suppress, and how to get started with some very basic hunting concepts.

In this second part, we’ll focus on breed-specific hunting techniques, providing practical advice tailored to Hunt Point Retrievers (HPRs), spaniels, and retrievers. Whether you’re training for fieldwork or simply looking to enrich your pet gundog’s life, these hunting skills will help you build a confident and capable hunting partner.

How HPRs hunt

Hunt Point Retrievers (HPRs) excel at using both air and ground scenting to locate quarry, making them highly valued for their ability to hunt, point, and retrieve.

One of their most impressive traits is their steady point when they’ve located their target, giving you the chance to control and cue the flush.

HPRs primarily use air scenting to find quarry, raising their heads to “taste” the wind. Once they’ve locked onto a scent, they’ll dip down to use ground scent for confirmation. 

Their hunting chain typically follows this sequence:

· Setting off with purpose.

· Quartering across the wind to locate scent.

· Pointing and holding steady on the target.

· Flushing on cue.

· Sitting or standing after the flush to await your instructions.

· Retrieving and delivering the quarry.

As your HPR progresses, you’ll notice them developing a more confident and efficient quartering pattern, working methodically across the wind. Their ability to interpret scent will become sharper, and they’ll hold their head at shoulder height, dipping or raising it as they read the trail. Encourage them to fully explore their environment while staying focused on the task at hand.

How hunting retrievers (spaniels) hunt

Hunting retrievers, often called spaniels, are masters of ground scenting. These energetic and focused gundogs excel at working close to their handler, quartering systematically to locate and flush game. Their natural drive and remarkable noses make them exceptional flushing dogs. 

While spaniels may rely on ground scent to pinpoint game, they do also air scent like HPRs but due to their smaller stature they will take in less ground. 

Their role in the hunting chain is straightforward but essential:

·  Set off alongside their handler.

·  Quarter across the wind, staying within a close range up to 15/20 metres.

· Locate game using ground scent.

·  Flush game and then sit or wait after the flush.

· Re-hunt or retrieve as needed.

This close-range working style is what makes spaniels such effective team players. They stay engaged with their handler, making it easier to maintain control and ensure that every hunt is a partnership. 

When it comes to spaniels is about more than teaching them the mechanics of hunting - it’s about building trust and teamwork. As they grow more confident in their scenting abilities and learn to follow your guidance, you’ll find they’re not just working for you, they’re working with you.

How retrievers hunt

Retrievers are specialists in locating and delivering, making them an indispensable partner in the field as the ultimate goal is to get game safely in the bag and then on the table as a part of a healthy, nutritious meal. 

You might think that retrievers don’t hunt because it’s not in their name, but in reality, all gundog breeds hunt. 

Retrievers excel at using air scent to pinpoint targets, then transitioning to ground scent to track injured or hidden quarry when needed. Their primary role in the hunting chain is straightforward yet essential: to locate, retrieve, and deliver efficiently. 

They also often work at greater distances from their handler than flushing breeds, making communication and trust between dog and handler all the more important. Retrievers focus on accuracy and delivery rather than flushing game. 

Their hunting chain typically involves:

· Setting off in the designated direction.

· Using sight, scent, and wind to locate the quarry.

· Returning and delivering the retrieve.

For retrievers, the close hunting cue is used when the dog has been sent out for a retrieve and the handler needs to tell the dog where to start hunting. This cue is usually a whistle that is blown rather more softly than the recall and stop cues and often sounds like the “toowit toowoo” of an owl. 

When the close hunting cue has been fully taught and practised, it should be blown before the dog starts hunting and should not really need to be repeated unless you have had to redirect the dog to a new area or back into the original area of the retrieve.

Hunting with your gundog breed: the mini course

If you want a confident and capable hunting partner, or a pet gundog who doesn’t go feral on off lead walks in the countryside, we have a special hunting mini course just for you. 

For more information, and to be the first to find out when the course goes live, please email members@gundogtraineracademy.co.uk.