Tracking dogs have extraordinary noses and an exceptional sense of smell. Whether you need to follow a scent trail or track a deer, these dogs can make the job much easier. With proper training, they become skilled hunters, capable of locating game with remarkable accuracy.
The right tracking dogs can make all the difference. These aren’t just ordinary dogs; they’re breeds that can follow a wounded animal’s trail for miles, even when there’s hardly any visible blood. Their ability to work challenging trails is incredible; they’ve proven that the scent of blood lingers on the ground even when no trace can be seen.
While almost any dog with a strong nose can be trained to track deer, some breeds are naturally better at it. Call it instinct, breeding, or sheer determination; these dogs stand out as the best at tracking deer over long distances.
Tracking Dog Breeds That Track Deer Across Miles
1. Labrador Retriever
You might think Labs are just duck dogs, but hold that thought. These guys have been quietly making a name for themselves in the deer tracking world, and for good reason. The Labrador Retriever brings something special to blood trailing that other dogs might miss.
What makes these tracking dogs perfect is their incredible drive to please their humans. Unlike some hounds that get caught up in their hunting instincts, a well-trained Lab stays focused on what you’re asking them to do. They’ve got the nose for it, too. That same scenting ability that helps them find downed birds works like magic on a blood trail.
These are not aggressive dogs; their ability to track a wounded deer lies in their temperament. When they find the deer, they’re not going to tear it down.
2. American Foxhound
This breed is born to run deer. The American Foxhound doesn’t mess around when it comes to following scent across rough terrain. These dogs were developed right here in the States specifically for hunting, and their stamina is absolutely unreal.
The American Foxhound has a sensitive nose, essential for trailing deer. These deer hunting dog breeds are valued for their persistence in following a scent trail. What sets the American Foxhound apart is their incredible endurance. We’re talking about dogs that can track for hours without showing signs of fatigue.
The thing about these Foxhounds is they’re pack animals at heart; they adjust to the work and are superbly good at wounding game. They can easily track the blood trail.
3. Beagle
Beagles are intelligent with the most impressive noses in the world. Their ability to track a blood trail is amazing, and they are exceptional at scenting. You just have to make them focus on the wounded deer or they may start chasing every other smell or the sign.
They are adjustable and are friendly dogs with incredible ability to hunt rabbits, and are good at hunting. Their size is their advantage, and they are exceptional because they can get into places where other breeds can’t go if they are large.
Their training sessions are interesting, and these dogs are incredible. These tracking dogs are non-threatening and super affectionate. Their scenting ability is stronger, and they are great blood-trailing dogs that can track wounded animals.
Beagles are good with humans, and they are perfect if you give them the necessary training for smell tracking. Despite being too active outside, Beagles stay calm inside the house, as mentioned by the Britannica.
4. Plott Hound
Plott Hound is North Carolina’s official state dog, and there’s a damn good reason for that. They are considered the best as they are good blood trailing dogs and have a unique approach towards the work.
Many dogs cannot track the wounded deer, but these are the good hunters that can do it with their methodical approach. The Plotts’ grooming needs are minimal, and they are exceptional at being good friends with their owners.
Their short coat doesn’t collect debris like longer-haired breeds, which is a huge advantage when you’re pushing through thick cover. A quick brush-down after a tracking session is usually all they need.
Their exercise requirements are also not too easy; this dog breed was developed to hunt wild boar in the mountains. If you’re not giving your Plott serious physical and mental stimulation challenges, they’re going to find their entertainment, and you might not like what they choose.
5. German Shorthaired Pointer
They have a different skill set for deer tracking that’s hard to beat. These dogs were bred to point, retrieve, and track, which makes them Swiss Army knives of the hunting world.
What separates them from dedicated Hounds is their intelligence and trainability.
These tracking dogs love their job. Blood trail skills give them the mental stimulation they crave while using their natural hunting instincts. They’re not just content to find deer either; they want to understand the whole situation and help solve the problem.
They are highly intelligent dogs with superb hunting skills.
6. English Setter
The English Setter brings an old-world elegance you don’t see in many other breeds. These tracking dogs have been refined over centuries to be a perfect gentleman’s hunting companion. They don’t rush or get excited; they work steadily and systematically.
The popularity of English Setters has waned somewhat in recent years, which is a shame because they’re incredibly capable tracking dogs with good skills for hunting and scenting.
Their origin story is fascinating, too. English Setters were developed in England specifically for bird hunting, but their scenting ability and determination translate perfectly to blood trailing work.
They like having a clear job to do and working closely with their handlers. PetMD mentions that the temperament of these dogs is affectionate and friendly.
7. Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound doesn’t just track deer; they live for it. The mortally wounded deer gives off a very unique scent, and no breed recognizes this better than a well-trained Bluetick.
These dogs have what trainers call “cold nose” ability, which means they can work on trails that are hours or even days old. When you’ve got a wounded deer that’s been down overnight, a Bluetick might be your only hope.
These are working dogs, and if you do not give them the regular tracking opportunities, they can find it stressful. Entertainment for these dogs doesn’t involve giving them squeaky toys.
They want to hunt, track, and solve scent puzzles, and they do this perfectly. You can also easily set up practice trails in your backyard, hide treats for them to find, or just take them on long walks where they can use their nose.
According to the American Kennel Club, if these dogs are not given any opportunity for their hardwired impulses, they can develop problem behaviors like loud barking.
Conclusion
When you get a wounded game and you want to recover it, these perfect tracking dogs are primarily used to track whitetail deer, and they have effective skills to recover any bear, moose, elk, or mule deer. You just have to get the right dog that holds the strap in its mouth and returns to its handler.
These deer tracking dogs have an excellent sense of smell and can help the hunters track a wounded or dead deer even if the incident happened days ago.
