One of the oldest meanings for the word Sport in English is hunting as an entertainment for members of the nobility and elite classes. To assist in the hunting of birds and small game, various Sporting Types of Dogs were developed, which became the ancestors of today's Pointer, Retriever, Setter, and Spaniel purebred Dog Breeds. Because they were developed as bird dogs with energetic hunting abilities in water and field settings, most Sporting Dogs require regular exercise. Their naturally active and alert demeanor also makes them likeable and well-rounded companions.