sporting dog

American  

noun

1. one of any of several breeds of usually large dogs especially suited by size and training for hunting by pointing, flushing, and retrieving game and including the pointers, setters, retrievers, and spaniels.

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Etymology

Origin of sporting dog

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

I was deeply grieved at the loss of the dog, who had already shown great promise as a first-class sporting dog, a most difficult thing to procure in this country.

From Sketches From My Life By The Late Admiral Hobart Pasha by Hobart-Hampden, Augustus Charles

"The best sporting dog in Athabasca," he said promptly, but without any resentment.

From The Fur Bringers A Story of the Canadian Northwest by Footner, Hulbert

The sporting dog called the Setter, is distinguished by his long, silky hair, and has consequently been considered as a large spaniel.

From Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of Animals by Weir, Harrison

Now everyone knows that the first duty of any sporting dog is to scour the field and not to count the nails in his master’s boots.

From The Animal Story Book by Various

The judges unanimously pronounced me to be the most perfect and beautiful sporting dog in the whole Show.

From Pussy and Doggy Tales by Kemp-Welch, Lucy