Are you fond of hunting as a sport and looking for a dog breed to be your ideal companion for your adventures? You have come to the right place. We have gathered 7 of the rarest hunting dog breeds that possess the strength, intelligence, courage, and speed needed to take down strong prey.

Though many dogs have hunting capabilities but there are some breeds that are originally bred for this sole purpose. Man and dogs have been hunting partners for decades now.

When choosing a good hunting dog breed, you must consider factors like endurance, prey drive, athleticism, and be willing to train every day.

Read on to learn more about these highly intelligent and tough dogs who are the perfect, loyal companions for regular hunters.

Rare Dog Breeds Bred For Hunting Large Game

1. Plott Hound

Originating from North Carolina, Plott Hounds were originally bred for hunting bears and wild boar. WebMD says these dogs are the symbol of resilience and determination. This breed is known for its intelligence, strength, and keen sense of smell.

These hounds have high energy levels and a strong desire to hunt, which keeps them focused on their task, making them an excellent hunting dog breed. The breed has exceptional skills for tracking furred game animals.

Despite their ferocious hunting temperament, they are considered to be affectionate and loyal dogs to be among families. However, they do require proper training and socialization to stay well-behaved indoors.

These pups are wary of strangers and might see other small animals as prey, which is why training is essential. These dogs need plenty of physical exercise to feel happy. You can use our dog exercise calculator to learn about the amount of exercise that these pooches may need:

2. Bavarian Mountain Hound

With roots in Germany, Bavarian Mountain Hounds have a history of working as scent and hunting dogs. This hunting dog breed was trained to hunt deer and wild boar. These hunters are courageous, calm, loyal, and fiercely devoted to their owners.

They thrive in active households and show much devotion where they are understood and appreciated. These dogs stay aloof and reserved with strangers, which is why early socialization is recommended to make them feel comfortable. These hounds are protective and are great around children.

These hounds are incredibly intelligent and have excellent noses, making them well-suited to work alongside humans for hunting. They enjoy a challenge and are also happy because of the mental stimulation that comes with it.

Bavarian Mountain Hounds are high-maintenance dogs who require experienced owners who know exactly what they need. These dogs are truly a rare hunting dog breed, as adopting them outside of Germany can be very difficult.

3. Dogo Argentino

A versatile dog born and bred in Argentina, the Dogo Argentino is a part of the working group from the canine world. These giants were originally bred to track and catch large game animals like wild boars and pumas.

These smart dogs have high strength, are intelligent, and agile, which shows their athletic nature. They are not only versatile hunting dogs but are also gentle protectors of their human companions. With the right training and a good home, these dogs stay courageous and dedicated to their family.

With their remarkable strength, sharp instincts, and unwavering courage, these athletic dogs excel in demanding hunts. Their loyal nature and determination make them a trusted partner in the field, capable of tracking, confronting, and restraining intimidating prey until the hunter arrives.

These big dogs are great with children and have high protective instincts, which make them excellent watchdogs for your household.

4. Kishu Ken

Born and bred in Japan, Kishu Ken is an active and faithful companion with lots of energy. These medium-sized dogs were bred and trained to hunt large game animals like wild boar and deer. They have strong predatory instincts that kick in when they are around small game animals.

This strong, muscular breed is energetic, obedient, devoted, and good-natured; however, they still are not a good match for inexperienced dog lovers. Kishu Ken is an excellent companion to those families with active lifestyles.

These dogs have high energy levels, which means daily walks will not be enough for them to blow off steam. Other than this, taking them to the dog park is also not a good idea, as they can easily get triggered by other dogs around.

Kishu Ken is bred to hunt and run, which is why activities like running, hiking, camping, and swimming are better suited for them.

5. Otterhound

As the name suggests, Otterhounds were bred in England to hunt otters, which is why these dogs are known to be water-loving scent hounds. These pups have an excellent nose and strong tracking abilities, which give them an advantage as hunting dogs.

Otterhounds are known for their bravery and for being versatile hunting dogs. They are affectionate, loyal, and friendly, which makes them great family dogs. Because of their sweet nature, they bond well with their owners.

Otterhounds are sociable, playful, and great with other animals in the house. These dogs are best suited for larger homes as they need their space to move around and exercise. These intelligent dogs are independent, which might make training them a little tricky.

But with patience and positive reinforcement training, these dogs turn out to be excellent pets.

6. Segugio Italiano

Segugio Italiano is a medium-sized hound that is known for its keen hunting instincts and is a breed that loves to follow their nose. These dogs are excellent trackers but do not go after unintended targets.

These dogs are gentle and loving around their family, but exhibit a quiet and reserved temperament around strangers.

These determined hunters have high energy needs and thrive in an active household. According to Purina, they need at least two hours of exercise every day to blow off steam. They are labelled as great family dogs and love to spend time with children.

Unlike other hounds, these dogs were starting to go extinct as the population of wild boars started to decline. However, hunters trained them for hunting small game animals like rabbits. Segugios are eager to please pups, which is a great trait, making it easier to train these dogs.

7. Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-sized dog breed with a fluffy coat. Also known as Elkies, they are an ancient breed known to be excellent hunting companions for humans. Because of their hunting instincts, these dogs can scare off birds, rabbits, squirrels, and cats.

Elkies are high-energy pups and are fiercely loyal, making them the best canine companions. These dogs remain the happiest in cold conditions and cold water. These sweet dogs love attention and have a playful nature. They are happy and friendly around their people and love having a fun time with kids.

According to PetMD, these dogs need at least an hour of exercise daily and different physical activities to blow off steam. These dogs might show destructive behavior and may become vocal when bored.

Conclusion

These rare dog breeds have excellent traits like strength, intelligence, agility, and loyalty, which make them the perfect hunting companions for humans.

Though these breeds might not be adopted for the purpose of hunting anymore, they make great family dogs because of their sweet temperament and loving nature.

These dogs have been the perfect companions for humans for centuries, and they still stand by their side with utmost spirit. So, what are you waiting for? If you’re someone who loves hunting, these dogs are the perfect choice for you.