Common Characteristics of the Sporting Breed Group

According to Animal Behavioral College, Inc.

High Distractibility - While this characteristic helps dogs of these breeds notice and find birds and other game, it may make it difficult for them to achieve focused attention during exercises like Sit-Stay and Down-Stay. They may have trouble completing the Come cue in distracting situations. Sporting dogs may have a tendency to become distracted by other dogs and people in group class.

Sensitive - The Spaniels and Setters in this group may be overly sensitive.  This may make them easy to correct, but they may not always be suitable to live with small children.

Insensitive - The Retrievers in this group may be overly insensitive.  This may make them more difficult to correct but better suited to live with small children.

High Need for Daily Exercise - Sporting breeds are sometimes described as hyper since the have been bred to notice and react to everything, even while in motion.  These dogs require vigorous daily exercise, such as running.  A walk around the block is not enough.  These days may develop problem behaviors like barking, digging, destructiveness, pacing or fence running if not sufficiently exercised