bird dog

¹

noun

1. one of any of various breeds of dogs trained to hunt or retrieve birds.
2. Informal. a person hired to locate special items or people, especially a talent scout who seeks out promising athletes.
3. Slang. a person who steals another person's date.

bird-dog

²

[ burd-dawg, -dog ]

verb (used with object)

, Informal.

, bird-dogged, bird-dog·ging.

1. to follow, watch carefully, or investigate.
2. to seek out.

verb (used without object)

, bird-dogged, bird-dog·ging.

1. Informal. to follow or watch carefully.
2. Slang. to steal or attempt to steal another person's date.

bird dog

noun

1. hunting a dog used or trained to retrieve game birds after they are shot

verb

1. informal.
   to control closely with unceasing vigilance

Word History and Origins

Origin of bird dog¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Origin of bird dog²

v. use of bird dog

Example Sentences

This short film by Backroad Creative follows Copa, a bird dog who has been by the side of Orvis president Simon Perkins for 14 years.

From Outside Online

With one successful mission under its belt, the OSS began to use Schwend as a “bird dog” for other hidden assets.

From The Daily Beast

An apiarist, he lives in Austin, with his wife, Lorin, their three children, and a hyperactive bird dog named Biscuit.

From The Daily Beast

He seemed to look at nothing, now—like a bird-dog that senses the nearness of the invisible quarry.

From Project Gutenberg

With the exception of the bird dog the beagle has the finest scent of the whole dog family.

From Project Gutenberg

The bird dog knows of the presence of a game bird before he can see it.

From Project Gutenberg

His bird-dog lay on the mat outside the door and sprang forward with a joyous whine to meet him.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he takes a rapid horse, a zealous bird dog and an improved double barrel duck destroyer and communes with nature.

From Project Gutenberg