This heavily illustrated full-color volume includes thorough discussions on 76 spaniel, retriever, pointer, hound, and versatile breeds. A history of the use and development of sporting dogs in North American is also included, as well as chapters on selecting a puppy, training, anatomy, pedigrees, and breeding.The Encyclopedia of North American Sporting Dogs is written and compiled by hunters for hunters. The authors were hand-picked for their experience and expertise with the sporting breeds. They have spent collectively more than a century in the field -- hunting, training, observing, and formulating their opinions of the sporting breeds.Edited by Steve Smith, editor of The Pointing Dog Journal and The Retriever Journal, and former editor of Gun Dog magazine, the Encyclopedia's authors have written dozens of books and thousands of articles about the various breeds represented here. They include author, hound and retriever trainer, and field trial winner Vickie Lamb; Just Labs magazine editor and the author of four books, Jason Smith; columnist, book author, and retriever breeder and trainer, Amy Dahl; book author, upland bird dog authority, and upland gamebird expert Ben O. Williams; breeder, trainer, and author David Gowdey; and sporting dog columnist, author, and renowned wingshooter, Tom Davis.These experts acquired their experience and knowledge in the field -- not the show ring -- walking endless miles behind bird dogs; sitting next to retrievers in countless duck blinds and goose pits; and following the clarion baying of a hound on hot scent. They bring their insight and experience to every page of The Encyclopedia of North American Sporting Dogs.