These words all refer to dogs used in hunting or tracking a quarry. Hound is by far the most general of these. Used loosely, it can merely be a more formal substitute for dog itself, giving an archaic or pretentious tone; used specifically, it can refer to a grouping of specific breeds. Between these two extremes, the word would most often be understood as referring to dogs that track quarry by scent or sight: They brought out hounds to track down the escaped convict; the packs of hounds used in fox hunting. Metaphorically, the word can suggest someone obsessed with the pursuit of something: an autograph hound .

The remaining words are restricted to describing ways that hunting or sporting dogs track or capture their quarry. More specifically, of course, each may indicate a precise breed of dog or groups of such breeds. Pointer refers to a dog that signals the presence of quarry, such as birds, by fixing its body with tail uplifted and nose directed towards the prey. The setter acts similarly, but adopts a sitting position in indicating its prey. A retriever is any dog that brings back shot or killed animals to its master, whether over land or water. Terrier refers to a small, active variety of dog originally trained in Europe, to go to ground after foxes, badgers, etc. but this word has become more and more attached to particular breeds, valued as pets, without indicating this hunting activity at all.