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About Gun Dogs
Gun dogs are breeds selectively developed to work alongside hunters and shooters in the field, flushing, pointing, hunting, or retrieving game on command. In the United Kingdom, they are divided broadly into four working groups: retrievers, spaniels, hunt-point-retrieve (HPR) breeds and pointers and setters.
The most commonly traded breeds on the UK sporting classified market include the Labrador Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel (working type), German Shorthaired Pointer, Hungarian Vizsla, Weimaraner, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever and English Pointer. Each breed has different strengths. Spaniels excel at flushing in thick cover, retrievers are driven and biddable on the peg, while HPR breeds suit walked-up and rough shooting across varied terrain. Trained and part-trained dogs command a significant premium over pups, reflecting the time and expertise invested in their development.
Buying a Gun Dog
Choosing the right breed
The right breed depends on the type of shooting you do. For driven game days and picking-up, a Labrador or Golden Retriever is the most practical all-round choice, with a calm temperament and strong retrieve instinct. English Springer Spaniels and working Cocker Spaniels are outstanding in cover and on rough shooting ground.
If you shoot walked-up over varied terrain or want a versatile all-round dog for pointing, flushing and retrieving, an HPR breed such as the GSP or Vizsla offers excellent adaptability, though they require more exercise and mental stimulation than retrievers.
Consider your living situation, available exercise time and experience with dogs before choosing a high-drive breed.
What to check when buying
When buying a trained or part-trained dog, always ask to see the dog work in the field or on a training ground before committing. Assess steadiness to shot, willingness to retrieve and recall reliability. Ask for the dog's full training history and any working test or field trial results.
For pups, check the health test results of both parents. Hip scores (BVA), elbow scores, eye tests and DNA tests relevant to the breed (such as PRA, exercise-induced collapse and CNM in Labradors) should all be available from a responsible breeder. Confirm whether the pup is Kennel Club registered; working lines are sometimes unregistered but should still come with health-tested parents. Pups should be microchipped before leaving the breeder under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015.
Training and ongoing work
A gun dog is a working animal and needs consistent, structured training throughout its life. For owners new to dog training, joining a local gun dog club early is strongly advisable. Basic obedience, steadiness and introduction to game all benefit from professional guidance. A started dog from a reputable trainer offers a useful shortcut, giving you a dog that is already steady to shot and has been introduced to game, but will still need consistent handling. Always ask the seller about the dog's current feeding routine, exercise needs and any known sensitivities or veterinary history before completing a purchase.
Selling Your Gun Dog?
If you have a gun dog, trained dog or litter of pups to sell, listing on Gunstar reaches a large UK audience of shooting people actively looking for working dogs. Include clear photographs and full details; breed, age, sex, training level, health tests, KC registration status and any competition or working test results. Transparency around training history and temperament helps attract serious buyers and reduces time-wasting enquiries.
