Exploring the preferred searching canine breeds within the upland searching group over time
Chicken canines have all the time been on the coronary heart of upland searching tradition, so it ought to come as no shock that they continue to be one of the carefully adopted components of Undertaking Upland’s Annual Group Survey.
Every year, the survey responses assist paint a clearer image of the upland group, together with the canines that share our houses, experience in our vans, and accompany us into the sector. The survey requested a variety of questions on fowl canine possession, breed preferences, searching types, and the position canines play in hunters’ lives. Over time, these responses have created one of the detailed ongoing information of fowl canine developments throughout the upland searching group.
Whereas each breed has its devoted following, the outcomes additionally reveal broader patterns in regards to the canines upland hunters select and the way these preferences evolve. Based mostly on this yr’s survey, these are the 5 hottest fowl canine breeds among the many Undertaking Upland group.
The Most Fashionable Varieties of Searching Canines
Earlier than diving into particular person breeds, it helps to know the broader classes of searching canines represented throughout the Undertaking Upland group first. When requested, “What kind of searching canines do you personal? Choose all that apply,” respondents reported:
Pointing canines: 58%
Versatile canines: 30%
Retrievers: 16%
Flushing canines: 10%
Different: 2%
Hounds: 1%
Terriers: 0.3%
These outcomes assist clarify lots of the breed rankings that observe. Whereas upland hunters proceed to personal all kinds of canines, pointing and versatile breeds stay the dominant selection throughout the Undertaking Upland group.
Prime 5 Chicken Canine Breeds of 2025
1. English Setter: 18%
Whereas German Shorthaired Pointers and Labrador Retrievers stay among the many hottest fowl canines, English Setter possession has steadily elevated over the past 4 survey cycles. In 2026, the breed narrowly surpassed the German Shorthaired Pointer to develop into probably the most generally owned fowl canine amongst Undertaking Upland respondents.
English Setters are significantly standard amongst Child Boomers and Millennials, with 20 p.c of hunters in every technology reporting possession of the breed. Fifteen p.c of Gen Z fowl hunters personal an English Setter—a notable improve from 2025, when simply 3 p.c reported proudly owning one. Amongst Gen X hunters, 12 p.c personal an English Setter.
Survey responses additionally counsel that English Setters stay carefully related to skilled upland hunters. Practically 89 p.c of homeowners have hunted upland birds for greater than 20 years, and 42 p.c spent greater than 30 days afield in the course of the 2025 season.
The breed’s strongest affiliation continues to be with conventional grouse and woodcock searching. Sixty-six p.c of English Setter homeowners hunted ruffed grouse in 2025, whereas 58 p.c hunted pheasants and 53 p.c hunted American woodcock. Few breeds are as carefully tied to the traditional coverts of the Nice Lakes and Northeast because the English Setter.
Outdoors the upland group, English Setters stay a comparatively unusual breed. The breed ranked 89th on the American Kennel Membership’s (AKC) listing of hottest canine breeds in 2025, an enchancment from 93rd in 2024 and 97th in 2023. Throughout the Undertaking Upland group, nevertheless, the English Setter has develop into probably the most generally owned fowl canine breed, highlighting the distinction between mainstream canine possession developments and the preferences of devoted upland hunters.
Between its origins in England and its evolution all through North America, the historical past of the English Setter is wealthy. Craig Koshyk explores the breed in outstanding element in Pointing Canines, Quantity Two: The British and Irish Breeds. Undertaking Upland readers also can find out about Edward Laverack, discover the historical past of Ryman Setters, hearken to the 1872 traditional The Setter, and discover simply how English the English Setter actually is.
2. German Shorthaired Pointer (Deutsch Kurzhaar): 17.9%
The German Shorthaired Pointer stays probably the most mainstream versatile searching canine breed in North America. Whereas the English Setter narrowly claimed the highest spot on this yr’s survey, almost 18 p.c of Undertaking Upland respondents personal a German Shorthaired Pointer or Deutsch Kurzhaar, making it the second hottest breed in the neighborhood.
The breed’s reputation extends nicely past upland searching. The German Shorthaired Pointer is the one pointing breed to persistently rank among the many American Kennel Membership’s ten hottest canine breeds, inserting ninth in 2025. It has held a place within the AKC’s prime ten since 2023, reflecting the breed’s widespread attraction as each a searching companion and household canine.
Throughout the versatile searching canine world, the GSP’s dominance is obvious. Greater than 29,000 German Shorthaired Pointers are registered with the North American Versatile Searching Canine Affiliation, making it a very talked-about breed within the NAVHDA world.
Survey responses counsel that the GSP continues to draw hunters from a variety of backgrounds and expertise ranges. It’s the preferred fowl canine amongst Gen X hunters, with 19 p.c reporting possession. Eighteen p.c of Child Boomers personal a GSP, adopted by 17 p.c of Millennials. Simply 8 p.c of Gen Z respondents reported proudly owning the breed in 2026, although that determine represents a pointy decline from the earlier yr’s survey and should mirror variations in survey participation fairly than a significant change in possession developments.
In terms of fowl searching, 61 p.c of GSP homeowners hunted pheasants in 2025, whereas 40 p.c pursued ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and bobwhite quail. Thirty p.c hunted sharp-tailed grouse. The breadth of species represented within the survey displays the breed’s popularity as an adaptable searching companion able to find success throughout a wide range of landscapes.
German Shorthaired Pointers additionally seem to attraction to hunters who discovered their very own method into the sporting custom. Twenty-eight p.c of homeowners reported that neither of their mother and father hunted, one of many highest charges among the many hottest fowl canine breeds. On the similar time, 88 p.c of GSP homeowners have hunted birds for greater than 20 years, demonstrating that the breed stays firmly rooted amongst skilled upland hunters.
One ultimate level of distinction: 47 p.c of GSP homeowners reported membership in Pheasants Without end. Given the breed’s robust affiliation with pheasant searching throughout a lot of the Midwest and Nice Plains, that connection is hardly shocking.
3. Labrador Retriever: 15.7%
The Labrador Retriever stays America’s retriever. Whereas pointing breeds dominate a lot of the upland dialog, the Labrador continues to carry a singular place in searching tradition as each a fowl canine and companion. Within the 2026 Undertaking Upland Annual Group Survey, Labrador Retrievers ranked because the third hottest fowl canine breed general and the preferred retriever in the neighborhood.
The breed’s reputation is carefully tied to 2 of North America’s most beloved searching traditions: pheasant searching and waterfowling. Amongst Labrador homeowners, 78 p.c reported searching pheasants in the course of the 2025 season, whereas 51 p.c additionally pursued geese and geese. German Wirehaired Pointer homeowners hunted waterfowl on the similar fee as Labrador homeowners, and solely Chesapeake Bay Retriever homeowners exceeded them at 66 p.c (nevertheless, solely two respondents reported proudly owning Chessies).
Labradors are additionally the preferred fowl canine breed amongst Gen Z hunters. Twenty-three p.c of Gen Z respondents reported proudly owning a Labrador Retriever, in comparison with 17 p.c of Gen X hunters, 16 p.c of Child Boomers, and 12 p.c of Millennials. The breed’s enduring reputation amongst youthful hunters means that the Labrador’s popularity for versatility, trainability, and companionship stays as robust as ever.
In current many years, some hunters have gravitated towards British-bred Labradors, usually citing variations in temperament, dealing with model, and discipline efficiency in comparison with conventional American discipline strains. Amongst its admirers was outdoorsman Eddie Bauer, who as soon as wrote of his beloved British Labrador Retriever, “The best of all the nice canines I’ve ever recognized; one I’ve cherished above all others. I hope, once I go to the Joyful Searching Grounds, Blackie will come to my aspect, as I’ll attempt to go to his.”
4. Brittany: 13%
The Brittany continues to be one of the persistently standard canine breeds within the upland searching group. Whereas different breeds have skilled notable positive factors and losses lately, Brittany possession has remained remarkably regular, hovering round 13 p.c of Undertaking Upland survey respondents for the previous 4 years. In 2026, the breed as soon as once more ranked because the fourth hottest fowl canine in the neighborhood and stays the preferred French searching breed in North America.
The Brittany’s attraction is especially robust amongst youthful hunters. Thirty p.c of Gen Z respondents reported proudly owning a Brittany, making it one of the standard breeds throughout the youngest technology of upland hunters and representing an eight-percent improve over 2025. Sixteen p.c of Child Boomers personal a Brittany, whereas 11 p.c of Gen X hunters and 9 p.c of Millennials reported searching over the breed.
Survey outcomes additionally counsel that Brittany homeowners spend a substantial period of time afield. Forty-four p.c hunted greater than 30 days in the course of the 2025 season, inserting them among the many most lively hunters within the survey. Sixty-two p.c of Brittany homeowners pursued pheasants, whereas 48 p.c hunted ruffed grouse and 43 p.c chased American woodcock.
Outdoors the upland group, the Brittany continues to take pleasure in broader reputation than many conventional pointing breeds. The American Kennel Membership ranked it because the thirty first hottest canine breed in the USA in 2025. Inside NAVHDA, 2,476 Brittanys are at the moment registered.
The Brittany’s historical past in North America is sort of as fascinating because the breed itself. Its rise started within the Thirties when distinguished Wirehaired Pointing Griffon breeder Leon Webster imported Brittanys from France. In 1942, two competing organizations merged to type the American Brittany Membership, serving to set up the breed’s basis in the USA. By the Sixties, the Brittany had develop into France’s hottest searching canine. A long time later, debates over variations between American and French breeding packages led to an official cut up when the United Kennel Membership acknowledged the French Brittany, or Epagneul Breton, as a separate breed in 2002.
5. German Wirehaired Pointer (or Deutsch Drahthaar): 8%
The German affect on North American fowl searching doesn’t finish with the German Shorthaired Pointer. In 2026, the German Wirehaired Pointer ranked because the fifth hottest fowl canine breed amongst Undertaking Upland survey respondents, persevering with its popularity as one of many premier versatile searching canines in North America.
Not like some breeds that skew closely towards a selected technology, German Wirehaired Pointers take pleasure in remarkably constant reputation amongst youthful and middle-aged hunters. Roughly 11 p.c of Gen Z hunters personal a GWP, in comparison with 10.6 p.c of Gen X hunters and 10 p.c of Millennials. Possession drops amongst Child Boomers, the place simply 6 p.c reported searching over the breed.
Survey responses counsel that German Wirehaired Pointer homeowners are among the many most devoted hunters within the upland group. Sixty p.c reported spending greater than 30 days afield in the course of the 2025 season—the best fee among the many 5 hottest fowl canine breeds. Their searching pursuits mirror the breed’s popularity for versatility and endurance. Eighty-five p.c hunted pheasants, whereas 57 p.c pursued ruffed grouse, 47 p.c hunted sharp-tailed grouse, 43 p.c chased American woodcock, and 40 p.c focused Hungarian partridge.
The breed’s robust affiliation with critical searching fans is mirrored in its participation inside NAVHDA and, for Deutsch Drahthaars, the German testing system. Greater than 15,000 German Wirehaired Pointers are registered with NAVHDA, making it one of many group’s most represented breeds. Whereas the American Kennel Membership ranked the GWP because the 58th hottest canine breed in the USA in each 2023 and 2024, the breed’s affect inside searching circles far exceeds its visibility among the many common public.
The German Wirehaired Pointer’s historical past in North America is carefully tied to the importation of German breeding and testing philosophies. As we speak, the connection between the Deutsch Drahthaar and the German Wirehaired Pointer stays a singular story within the fowl canine world and continues to draw hunters who worth rigorous efficiency requirements and versatile searching capability above all else.
2026’s Above 1% Membership, In accordance with the North American Upland Chicken Searching Survey
Didn’t see your favourite breed within the prime 5? You would possibly discover it in our Above 1% Membership. These are the breeds owned by a couple of p.c of Undertaking Upland survey respondents in 2026:
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (6.9%)
Pointer (6%)
Pudelpointer (5.3%)
Small Munsterlander (4.6%)
Gordon Setter (3.8%)
English Cocker (3.2%)
Springer Spaniel (2.8%)
Vizsla (2.6%)
Boykin Spaniel (2%)
Golden Retriever (1.4%)
Braque Francais (1.4%)
Weimaraner (1.2%)
After the Weimaraner, 13 extra breeds appeared within the survey however had been every owned by lower than one p.c of respondents.
Maybe probably the most attention-grabbing takeaway from the Above 1% Membership is the outstanding variety of fowl canines represented throughout the upland group. Conventional pointing breeds, versatile searching canines, flushing breeds, and retrievers all earned a spot on the listing. The rankings reveal that there is no such thing as a single path to having fun with upland searching. Whether or not your desire is a hard-charging versatile canine, a grouse specialist, a dependable retriever, or a devoted flusher, right now’s upland hunters in North America have extra high-quality breed selections than ever earlier than.
ICYMI: Earlier Years’ Most Fashionable Canine Breeds
In case you missed it, the listing of hottest fowl canines based on the North American Upland Chicken Searching Survey in years previous:
As you may see, these breeds are recurring favorites with upland hunters. Whether or not you like versatile German breeds or water-obsessed Labradors, all kinds of fowl canines make up our hottest listing yr after yr.
Will these developments proceed into 2027? Solely time will inform…
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