Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of gun dog: A "bird dog" is a hunting dog specifically bred and trained to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game birds, such as quail or pheasant.

Usage

• The term "bird dog" is used to refer to the dog itself, not the action of hunting. It is a compound noun.
• It is commonly used in the context of hunting, field trials, and dog breeding.

Examples

• Noun:
  • He trained his bird dog to point at the hidden covey of quail.
  • A good bird dog is invaluable to a hunter in the field.

Advanced Usage

• "To bird-dog" (verb, less common): This is a separate, idiomatic verb form meaning to follow or monitor someone or something closely and persistently. It is derived from the behavior of the hunting dog.
  • The reporter was assigned to bird-dog the candidate throughout the campaign.

Variants and Related Words

• Bird-dogging (gerund/noun): The act of following closely.
  • His bird-dogging of the story led to a major scoop.
• Pointer, Setter, Retriever: These are specific types or breeds of bird dogs.

Synonyms

• Gun dog
• Hunting dog
• Field dog

Related Idioms

• To bird-dog something: As noted in advanced usage, this idiom means to pursue or track something tenaciously.
  • She will bird-dog that project until it's completed.

Noun

1. a gun dog trained to locate or retrieve birds