FLUSHING DOGS

These dogs have been bred to search the undergrowth for birds and frighten them into the air so that the huntsmen can shoot the birds. They then return the bird's body to the huntsman without biting it or causing further damage (ie they need to have a "soft mouth"). These dogs have a very strong instinct to run through undergrowth and explore habitats that Game would chose to hide in. All the breeds come under the name of Spaniel, although not all dogs with "spaniel" in their name are in fact flushing dogs.