Not all heroes wear capes; some have paws and a sharp sense of smell. The creatures in question are tracking dogs whose tracking abilities support hunting, search-and-rescue, as well as police work. Most of these dogs are specifically bred for hunting and tracking purposes.
However, these dogs are more than just hunters. They are the perfect blend of a dog with hunting instincts and the ability to become a good family companion.
While selecting a dog breed for tracking purposes, it is important to consider your lifestyle, budget, and the dog’s compatibility as a family pet. It is also important to consider the dog’s prey drive, trainability, athleticism, and endurance.
Continue reading the article to discover dog breeds that are instinctual trackers and don’t need much training to track a scent.
Dog Breeds That Are Born Trackers
1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are ranked among the most popular dog breeds. This popularity is not without a reason. Labradors have a natural instinct for retrieving, whether it’s in water or on land. This makes them great tracking dogs.
Unmatched Intelligence
Labrador Retrievers are considered among the smartest dog breeds. They are quick to learn commands, cues, and master complex search routines. These qualities have also earned them spots in service work, police detection, and search-and-rescue teams.
Friendly Temperament
Other than their exceptional tracking abilities, these canines are also known for their friendly temperament and make excellent family dogs. They are great with kids and other pets as well.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are commonly known for being the dog breed with golden fur and equally golden and sunny personalities.
However, these dogs are also born trackers and have a nose for hunting, which is a side of theirs that a lot of people are not familiar with. Golden Retrievers are especially great for waterfowl hunting due to their soft mouths and love for water.
Loyal Companions
Golden Retrievers are highly trainable and have a calm demeanor, making them reliable as family pets. They don’t just make loyal companions for your family members, but also become good partners with you on the field.
High Emotional Intelligence
Other than being good hunting dogs, Golden retrievers also make good therapy and emotional support dogs. This is due to their ability to read human emotions well, sensing stress or danger, and building strong emotions with owners.
3. Beagle
According to AKC, dogs’ sense of smell is 100,000 times stronger than that of humans, and Beagles are no different. They are a hound breed, and so they have a strong drive to follow a scent. This makes them ideal for hunting small game.
Friendly Nature
Beagles are known for their friendly nature, making them great companions for families. Due to this unwavering loyalty, they are ranked among the most loyal dog breeds.
However, their friendly nature becomes a problem as their highly social nature makes it hard to train them as adults because they get distracted easily. This is why it is recommended to train them at an early age.
Adaptable to Small Spaces
Beagles don’t need vast land to thrive, and so they fit well in both small apartments and houses without expansive lawns. Their small size also makes them easy to transport.
4. American Foxhound
Known for being the official state dog of Virginia, American Foxhounds are another dog breed ideal for hunting due to their determination and stamina. According to PetMD, these hounds were originally bred to lead Colonial-era foxhunts.
Muscular Build and High Energy Levels
Although American Foxhounds are friendly and social dogs that require regular exercise and bond well with families, they are not fit for all households. The reason behind this is their high level of energy, which requires at least one to two hours of exercise every day.
However, these qualities make them incredibly fast and nimble over long distances. This makes them ideal for chase-style tracking over open grounds.
Easygoing Nature
These dogs are not overly clingy or needy. They are rarely aggressive, tolerant of other dogs, and are typically calm indoors.
5. English Springer Spaniel
Characterized by their long-hanging ears and large expressive eyes, English Springer Spaniels give one the impression of being a cute and friendly dog breed.
However, their appearance is completely in contrast with their status as a tracking dog. These canines can hunt in various terrains and are known for their keen sense of smell and energetic nature.
Ability to Retrieve Birds
Since they are lightweight and agile, these dogs are naturally skilled at flushing and retrieving birds. They can follow commands from a distance during field work. Due to this, they excel at upland game hunting.
Eager-to-Please Personality
According to WebMD, English Springer Spaniels have a cheerful and friendly personality. They are always eager to please, and this makes them better at learning new tasks and performing well. They are enthusiastic during training, and this makes them joyful companions.
6. Bloodhound
Bloodhounds are renowned for their tracking abilities and can follow a scent trail for miles. They were originally bred to hunt wild boar and deer, which makes them hardwired to detect and hunt things.
Built for Scent Work
According to PBS, they have 230 million smell receptors, which is 40 times larger than that of humans. The wrinkly and loose skin and long ears of Bloodhounds help trap scents close to the nose. These canines also have high motivation levels and will not give up until they have found their target.
This is why they are often used by the police during search operations.
Gentle and Docile
Bloodhounds are known for their gentle nature, making them suitable as family pets even with their active lifestyles.
7. German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers are versatile hunting dogs known for their ability to track and point game with precision.
Jack-of-all-trades
These hunting dogs handle water, forests, and rugged fields with ease. This makes them one of the most well-rounded sporting breeds.
Endurance and Agility
German Shorthaired Pointers are energetic dogs that require ample exercise and training to thrive. They can run back and forth without tiring with the help of their powerful legs and lean build. They are ideal for long-distance hiking, hunting, or running.
8. Black and Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound is known for being the descendant of the Talbot hound, which was popular during William I’s reign in England. These hounds are born to accompany you during nighttime hunts and relentless trails.
Baying Voice
The baying voice of these hounds is useful for long-distance communication, and it makes them ideal for hunts at night or across forests. This baying voice also helps hunters track dogs during long tracking pursuits, especially in deep woods or ravines.
Bold and Independent Personality
They are known for being confident and not getting easily frightened. They are able to follow a scent independently without being distracted. They work well in both solo hunting situations and while hunting in packs.
9. Redbone Coonhound
Characterized by its deep red coat, Redbone Coonhounds are the perfect blend of a skilled hunter and an affectionate pet.
Adaptable to Harsh Weather
These dogs have excellent stamina in hot, cold, and damp climates and also in forests, swamps, or mountainous regions. Their short and dense coat protects them against brush and other harsh natural elements.
Affectionate Temperament
Despite their reputation for being relentless hunters, these hounds thrive on attention and cuddles from their family. They are sweet-natured and bond well with both children and other pets.
Conclusion
Tracking isn’t a skill for these dog breeds; it’s an instinct that runs in their blood. Tracking dogs are not just hunters; they are also loyal family members, companions, and lifesavers. So if you’re looking for a hunting partner, a loyal protector, or both, these dog breeds are the perfect choice for you.
Some other tracking dog breeds that deserve to be mentioned in the above list but have not been included are Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Vizslas, English Setters, and Weimaraners.
