A hunting trip is more than just a staycation; it’s an exhilarating, heart-racing adventure that combines all the best bits of a memorable outdoor adventure.
It is a tradition and ritual that is a camping trip plus sport, plus jazzing up of some survival instincts, connecting with your incredibly beautiful surroundings, aka nature, and grounding yourself in your natural roots by walking in the footsteps of our ancestors, all at the same time.
“It’s a journey with friends away from the comforts of shelter to reclaim one’s natural roots, to engage in the larger circle of life, and to be close to wild things for the purpose of setting one’s mind and body free from unnatural processes.” (Bruce’s Dictionary of Natural Order, 1999)
Hence, for those who think so little of this whole enthralling and life-changing shebang should know that it isn’t a voyage for chasing highs or chasing game, nor a place where people go and practice or polish their in-range or long shots.
Hunting is about camaraderie, teamwork, willingness to be daring, open-mindedness for the unknown, and flexibility. It’s not about how many times you broke the silence of wings beating, how many ducks you shot on the trip, or how many furry rabbits you bagged; it’s about what you gained cohesively from wandering in nature itself.
Top 10 Dog Breeds for Advanced Hunting & Tracking
1. German Wirehaired Pointer
Also known as the Duetsch Drahtaar, this pup is famous in the hunting circle. People swear by the skills of this hardy dog, saying “Whether you can him out in harsh terrain or stormy weather, a seeking upland game on land or waterfowl hunting in the wetland, he doesn’t just survive but thrives amidst challenging conditions.”
Wearing a wiry coat that serves as armor against water or thorny bushes. This pup excels in pointing, tracking, and retrieving game and shows remarkable versatility in the field settings. Developed in 19th century Germany for versatile hunting.
This pup took the lead as a gun dog in the 20th century and is still a popular choice for advanced hunting, due to his agility, ruggedness, and remarkable drive.
The X Factor: Extremely helpful for locating quarry, this pup is so enthusiastic about finding prey that his hunting instincts kick in at just 2 months old.
2. English Springer Spaniel
Traditionally used for flushing and retrieving, this popular breed in the United States doesn’t just look regal; it is a literal royalty when it comes to hunting. Because the pros of hunting with this incredible medium-sized gun dog has a lot of pros and little to no cons.
Starting from their natural hunting instincts, obedience, adaptability to different hunting environments, and not to mention their efficiency and excellence in small water ducking, thick brush, or cover upland birds like the bobwhite quails, woodcock, ruffed grouse, and the main event, pheasants. Hunters say if there ever was a dog created for hunting pheasants, it is the English Springer Spaniel.
Hence, not only is it very famous, but it also comes highly recommended. Moreover, it can also hunt small game like hares, and adds enjoyment, flawless agility, grit, and determination in the whole charade.
PetMD says bringing in their very keen sense of smell, boundless energy, and experience in finding and following scent trails. These pups are not at all mainstream; they are truly extraordinary.
The X Factor: Descended from Norfolk and Shropshire Spaniels of the mid 19th century, these pups diverged into working and show lines, and less than a century ago, the Springers and Cocker Spaniels came from the same litter. (Did you know? The next heir in line to the British throne, Prince William, has Cocker Spaniels as pets at his royal home.)
3. Irish Water Spaniel
Choosing between upland and waterfowl hunting is such a mentally draining task. But hey, who said you need to choose when you can have both? Yes! You heard that right, this unique breed of dog offers the best hunting experience on both water and land. (Seems to be inspired by the Little Mermaid, aka Princess Ariel).
This four-legged mermaid has exceptional swimming abilities, even without fins, and is an all-purpose hunting dog who is adept at finding and retrieving upland game birds. Capable of covering a large field in short order, this Irish Water Spaniel is a beautiful blend of precision and tenacity.
Not to mention vogue-worthy beauty, just look at those endless curls and a great tough, fearless, and affectionate attitude, which also makes it a good family dog.
There aren’t many things this pup can’t achieve. Just give it proper training and enough mental stimulation, and it’ll be ready to respond to any situation and prove to be a good cover for you while you aren’t at home.
The X Factor: It is the tallest of all Spaniel breeds that can really dive into flushing out waterfowl, has a naturally water-repellent coat, and a nose that can sniff out all types of feathered game.
4. Boykin Spaniel
Another valuable asset on the field, this gun dog hails from South Carolina, where it happens to be a state dog and is an excellent companion of choice for beginners and experienced hunters. It has carved out a well-deserved reputation as a maestro of the whole hunting party.
Blessed with a keen nose, strong retrieving instincts, and unyielding energy. These medium-sized Spaniels thrive in the field. Give them any task from flushing out game birds, retrieving waterfowl from icy water, or tracking lost quarry, it’ll not only complete the task, it’ll also finish it with flying colors.
Continental Kennel Club says that primarily developed as a hunting dog for wild turkeys and ducks, this pup that started its journey from humble beginnings is now known as the master of its trade.
The X Factor: Built compact and rugged, this highly adaptable pup works effectively in rugged terrain to swampy conditions and has grown in its popularity among hunters due to its determination and reliable performance.
5. Labrador Retriever
Did you know? Humans and hounds have been hunting together for centuries, even earlier than the dawn of agriculture, and there are several types of hunting dogs bred specifically for different kinds of prey or environments, such as bird dogs, scent hounds, curs, and terriers, but when it comes to this Labrador Retriever.
It’s an all-in-one solution, an exuberant gun dog, with a good nose and floppy ears that is great at bird hunting, has a constantly curious nature, which makes it a quick learner.
Purina US states traditionally it is considered the best breed for duck hunting, and waterfowl retrieving, but you can utilize it for quail and pheasant hunting and small game hunting as well. Its friendliness and sunny disposition, coupled with its enthusiasm for the outdoors, make it a great pet and the right dog for this whole daunting escapade.
The X Factor: Labs also help hunters locate hunting birds, and are skilled at flushing them out. Moreover, these popular pooches can also be trained to hunt larger game like deer and hogs by tracking their scent. Very agreeable, intelligent, and blessed with an unwavering work ethic, these Labrador Retrievers make wonderful pets and hunting dogs for seasoned hunters.
6. Treeing Walker Coonhound
Primarily descended from the English and American Foxhounds, this is a master of the hunting game and excels in several key areas of hunting, like scent tracking, treeing, endurance, and speed. Originally bred to hunt raccoons and named for their ability to tree game and elusive prey even at night, these dogs are excellent family dogs and hunters.
These Treeing Walker Coonhounds are low-maintenance and good-natured hounds that have a strong nose and build strong bonds with their family. But display high energy levels, which need to be utilized by providing them with positive and productive outlets.
Orvis says if you want to win a raccoon hunting competition, get these hounds that were developed in the mid 1700s in the Appalachian Mountains, which are adequately muscled and multi-colored, yet also eager to learn and love pleasing their owners.
But training these dogs also requires patience and consistency due to their independent and stubborn streak. Happiest running through agility courses and doing field trials.
The X Factor: These pups can be tackled well if positive reinforcement training is applied. But once you are down with the training of these pooches, you’ll have a biddable hunting dog breed for advanced hunting and tracking for a lifetime.
7. Pharaoh Hound
Want to immerse yourself in history and all things archaic, that match the hunting tradition perfectly? Meet the oldest domesticated dog in recorded history, which happens to be a hunting dog with roots tracing its way back to ancient Egypt.
Its name also reveals its origins, but this elegant athlete with a playful spirit is the most unique pup you’ll ever see because it is a rarity among the masses of furry beauties.
According to Omlet, traditionally used for rabbit hunting in the rocky terrain of the Island of Malta, this energetic, affectionate pooch thrives on problem-solving, speed, and agility. This aloof and goofy pup is muscular and cheeky in the right places and has this graceful stride that makes it look alluring.
But wait until you see the pink blush covering its cheeks when it gets excited, and its remarkable expression of regalness and excellence in lure coursing, and you are bound to fall for it. This Pharaoh Hound is the epitome of sharp instincts and has a wondrous talent of sight, sound, and smell. It is also a very healthy breed that is low-maintenance yet highly rewarding.
The X Factor: This literally blushing Pharaoh Hound is also known as the “rabbit dog” because it hunts small game, especially rabbits.
8. Norwegian Elkhound
This northern Spitz breed is the National dog of Norway. The Norwegian Elkhound was the companion of the brawling and badass Vikings and accompanied them in their voyages and adventures. Hence, you trust this pooch to protect and guard you from harm in the wilderness and also increase your chances of scoring those tough kills.
Wikipedia says that born and bred to endure harsh cold environments, these pups were highly valued by their Viking owners for their hunting prowess, but also for their stamina, loyalty, and versatility. These pooches not only excel at tracking large game and holding them at the quarry but also are great herders, guardians, and faithful companions.
The X Factor: These pups that are obviously named for their hunting of elk also happen to be one of the world’s oldest breeds and were once known as dyrehunds or animal dogs in Norwegian. Their striking grey coat, keen eyes, and robust build just take their charm even farther.
9. Karelian Bear Dog
Are you one of those people who either go the distance and set their eyes on the big guns or do nothing at all? Well, well, we can totally understand your spirit and dedication to always aim high and achieve that greatness. But wait, you just forgot to pack a very crucial component that will lift your spirits and honestly do more than half the work to get you close to the glory you seek.
Meet the almost feral Karelian Bear Dog, yes, you guessed it right, it was born to hunt grizzlies, all the Mor’du’s can go and hide when you have this intensely loyal companion by your side. It is brave, tenacious, and you can guess by its face and tail, Nordic, that hunts its prey with silent stealth unless it has found you the exact prey you were searching for.
Born in the rugged landscape of Finland’s Karelia region, these pups are built to work in harsh conditions and are a medium-sized, courageous, and independent Spitz that can face the most aggressive predators of the jungle, like the lynx, wolves, boars, and also mighty prey like the moose and the Eurasian bear.
Moreover, with a keen sense of smell and quick reflexes, this thick-coated, muscular pup can track scents of various types of game and follow trails for long distances.
The X Factor: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife uses these Karelian Bear Dogs to protect the public when there is a bear or mountain lion threat. Hence, these pups are also used for mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, and are also playing a huge role in wildlife conservation.
10. Bluetick Coonhound
Also known as the nature’s expert tracking dog who is capable of tracking game by following week-old scent trails, this raccoon hunter was bred and prized by early American settlers who longed for a hunting companion that could follow cold trails and find the hideouts of wild game.
Named for its distinctive coat pattern, which appears to be navy but is actually the result of black ticks on a white background. These high-energy animals also have a higher prey drive than other breeds. But is an indispensable partner for an avid hunter who is looking for an athletic gun dog and tracking dog at the same time.
But it isn’t just skilled on the hunting front, its intelligence, eagerness to please, gentle and affectionate personality also make it a perfect match for active families. Give it any daunting task like finding a lost blood trail or deer hunting, its endurance, keen nose, and that soulful, musical howl will not disappoint you at all.
Conclusion
The dogs listed here weren’t born to be just companions and aren’t just gullible little floofs with a body that can compete with a good baked Alaska. But rather, they are the descendants of primitive dogs, or one can say, tamed wolves.
They were born to run in the wilderness, and experience adventures beside their humans, and are built in such a way that a stroll in the garden or a game of fetch in the backyard won’t just do their exponential potential justice.
Hence, you can either train them and enroll them in search and rescue missions to provide them the mental stimulation they need or keep scaling those mountains and crossing those rivers, in search of game or your purpose to keep their senses sharp.
Moreover, if you love to know more about hunting companions, there are plenty of more energetic dogs that can aid and assist you on your hunting expeditions, like the Plott Hound, Golden Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, Mountain Cur, American Foxhound, English Setter, Bloodhound, and the Irish Setter, who also make great companions for seasoned hunters and active households.
