The American Kennel Club counts 28 different breeds in the sporting dog category. I was curious how many different breeds I could connect with people I know. So here goes it; the 28 sporting breeds according to AKC and the first person that pops into my head as owning that particular breed.

1. American Water Spaniel: Not a single person comes to mind. Starting slow out of the gates.

2. Boykin Spaniel: Joe Duggan, Pheasants Forever's VP of Corporate Relations.

3. Brittany: My mom & dad.

4. Chesapeake Bay Retriever: Chad Love, Quail Forever blogger.

5. Clumber Spaniel: Shale Nyberg, volunteer with Minnesota Valley PF Chapter

Despite their beauty, I don't know anyone personally that owns a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. PHOTO COURTESY OF NATIVE DOG FOOD

6. Cocker Spaniel: A swing and a miss.

7. Curly Coated Retriever: I don't believe I know any curly owners.

8. English Cocker Spaniel: It's not my place to break the news, but stay tuned for an announcement from a fellow PF blogger related to this breed in the coming months.

9. English Setter: John Edstrom, Pheasants Forever's merchandise buyer.

10. English Springer Spaniel: Mark Herwig, Pheasants Forever's Journal editor.

11. Field Spaniel: Drawing a blank.

12. Flat Coated Retriever: Diane Lueck, Pheasants Forever National Board Member.

13. German Shorthaired Pointer: This one is easy . . . ME!

14. German Wirehaired Pointer: Mark Reinert, McLeod County (MN) Chapter of Pheasants Forever.

15. Golden Retriever: My buddy & radio partner, "The Captain" Billy Hildebrand.

16. Gordon Setter: Another fellow radio buddy, Mike "Cold Front" Kurre is in between Gordon Setters at the moment.

17. Irish Red & White Setters: A blank.

18. Irish Setter: Rick Van Etten, editor of Gun Dog magazine.

19. Irish Water Spaniel: Nada.

20. Labrador Retriever: Well, let's see . . . there is Rick, Eric, Matt, Ron, Brad & Andrew that all come to mind immediately.

21. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: I can't say as I know anyone that owns one of these beauties. If I was a duck hunter, these babies would be at the top of my list.

22. Pointer: Rich Wissink, Pheasants Forever's Youth Programs Coordinator.

23. Spinone Italiano: I used to live down the street from one, but that's as close as it's gotten.

24. Sussex Spaniel: To be honest, I'd never heard of this breed till reading it on the website moments ago. Anyone ever hunted behind a Sussex?

25. Vizsla: David Bue, Pheasants Forever's VP of Development has a pair.

26. Weimaraner: Janine Kohn, Pheasants Forever's Education Specialist.

27. Welsh Springer Spaniel: Another goose egg.

28. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Although I don't currently have any direct connections to a "Griff," Andrew & I are in a race to be the first to own one in the PF/QF offices.

So there you have it. Of the 28 sporting breeds recognized by AKC, I have direct links to 16, which leaves 12 voids. I was actually surprised not to find Munsterlanders (small or large) on AKC's sporting list. Anyone know the story of AKC and Munsterlanders?

So, how many of the 28 breeds on this list can you connect to an owner?

The Pointer is written by Bob St.Pierre, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Marketing.