Hunting has been a crucial part of human society since the early humans, and has evolved with time. Dogs haven’t just been livestock guardians and companions; they have helped humans feed their families and tribes by hunting wild game.
Hunting dogs often have distinct qualities that can also vary with breeds; some are sighthounds with eyes that don’t miss a feather, and some have spectacular noses (or both). Some of these dog breeds can even prove to be endearing companions for experienced dog owners.
Whether you want a game hunting companion or just a doggo with the wild instincts and energy levels to match your active lifestyle, such breeds come with a diverse range of traits. From tracking dogs to pointers, here is a review of 7 amazing hunting breeds for tracking wild game.
Best Hunting Dog Breeds for Tracking Wild Game
1. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a dog with an adorable face, deep chest, and sturdy legs that allow it to move quickly and gracefully in the field. Its expressive eyes, long feathered ears, and friendly expression give the breed a warm and approachable appearance.
This high-energy hunting doggo can spend long days on the field, as per the AKC, and it is a great choice for owners who love to go on long walks and hikes.
As this breed has worked closely with humans while on bird hunting missions, it’s quite companionable and eager to please in nature. From chasing wild game to staying outdoors on camping trips, these dogs can stay happy as long as they’re close to their owners.
If you have kids and other pets at home, these pups can provide them with a kind company. Ideal family dogs, these sociable and polite pups will be more than eager to join in any fun activity and adventures with their humans.
Their lush hair needs only weekly brushing to stay dust and tangle-free, and taking them to a professional groomer once in a while can help their coat stay easy to manage.
2. German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a gun dog with bright eyes and an observant look. Despite being highly trainable, these dogs are energetic animals that might not be well-suited for first-time dog owners, as per Orvis.
A tireless working breed, the German Shorthaired Pointer also excels at agility and is also great at tracking scents (making them perfect for tracking games). The ticked coat on its athletic, elegant body makes it look even more eye-catching.
The GSP makes a deeply loyal companion and has a friendly nature that helps it get along with humans of different age groups. Its water-repellent coat makes it a decent companion for water-based activities and swimming.
GSPs are dogs who prefer an active lifestyle and might get frustrated living with couch potato pet parents. Grooming these doggos is mostly simple, with one proper combing session every few days; they might need more extensive care during their shedding days.
These pups need early and proper training; they’re an intelligent breed and learn comparatively fast. Due to their prey drive, they can become a headache when older unless they’ve been trained well as puppies.
3. Vizsla
Vizsla is a breed originally developed in Hungary, and has been used to both retrieve and point game, as per Britannica.
These lean and graceful dogs moved swiftly, which allowed them not to alert their target. The shorthaired Vizsla needs only occasional combing and bathing to keep their coats clean, while their long haired version might need a bit more upkeep.
As these doggos can stay in the field all day, tirelessly hunting birds, they enjoy a lifestyle where their exercise needs are being met. They also do well in other dog sports like swimming, hunting tests, and agility.
As they’ve historically worked close to humans, these bird dogs are great at learning and remembering human cues and signals. They love to stick close to their human partners, even when they’re off leash. Vizslas are generally gentle companions; from older adults to kids, they can get along with anyone, as long as they’re being kept active.
4. Weimaraner
Weimaraner or “Gray Ghost” is an agile and sleek dog with a brave heart and a friendly temperament. These gray dogs are loved for their athleticism and obedience towards their humans, which has made them an effective partner for hunters for decades.
Weimaraners are very trainable and one of the smartest dog breeds, and they learn commands pretty fast. Normally, they have a smooth, solid colored coat, but sometimes they might have white markings on their chest, as per the AKC. These doggos have an amazing ability to track wounded animals and other wild game and endurance to stay active all day long.
PetMD recommends staying alert when you have your Weimaraner around in the kitchen, as it can steal treats from your counter (unless you don’t mind it).
As smart and energetic pups, they need both exercise and mental stimulation (like puzzle games) to curb their destructive tendencies, like chewing.
5. Treeing Walker Coonhound
Treeing Walker Coonhound, also nicknamed the “People’s Choice,” is a beautiful and courageous hunting dog with a smooth, short coat and bright eyes. A swift runner and sharp-minded hunter, this tricolored dog can aptly track and chase its prey, as well as recover wounded game.
These dogs have worked with hunters by using their abilities of sight and scent to track small game like rabbits and raccoons. Once they get the smell of their target, they will let their human hunters know through their loud barks.
With an easy-to-maintain coat, these doggos need some occasional brushing and bathing to stay clean and healthy. You might also want to clean their floppy, long ears to avoid infections and accumulation of dirt. Though Treeing Walker Coonhound can exhibit willful behavior at times, it is a generally smart dog and learns fast.
As runners, these pups need enough space to burn off their energy by running and exercising on a daily basis. Got other dogs at home? This breed can live peacefully with other pets, but it does have a prey drive that needs to be monitored.
6. Mountain Cur
The Mountain Cur is a sweet-natured and dependable dog that has also been called the “All-American Pioneer Dog”. With a distinct long tail, often speckled coat, and black mouth, this doggo has small and bright beady eyes that don’t miss their targets.
Mountain Curs have strong instincts and receive training wonderfully, as hunters or watchdogs trained to protect private property. They’re fearless and focus on scent trails and don’t give up until they find a target.
As super energetic dogs, Mountain Curs need daily exercise and other doggo activities to stay in their best mood and health. From long walks or hikes to games like agility and tracking, keeping them stimulated is important in keeping them off destructive habits.
These doggos love it when they are given a task to perform and love to learn, which makes them great at many dog sports. With a hunting dog instinct, they might exhibit a prey drive and start seeing smaller animals like cats as prey to be pursued; early socialization and obedience training are important.
7. Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound is a beautiful, spotted breed with blue or black spots and sometimes rust markings over its eyes. Courageous when on the job, like deer hunting or tracking some other wild game, it is gentle and friendly at home.
Sharp barkers and fast runners, Bluetick Coonhounds might not be for the faint of heart or owners who expect low activity and quiet dogs. They have a spectacular prey drive, which can be hard to manage if they haven’t been given early training.
Despite their energetic and fierce (on-field) nature, these doggos crave attention and affection from their humans. If your Bluetick is restless or unsatisfied, it can become destructive or too noisy for your neighbors to tolerate.
Blueticks respond well to positive reinforcement training; using treats can prove to be effective in motivating them.
Conclusion
These brave and alert dogs have wonderful tracking and hunting instincts; from blood tracking to duck hunting or taking out large game like wild boar, they’ve served different purposes for their human hunters.
To adopt one of these breeds, make sure to get in touch with a reputable breeder known for reliable and ethical breeding practices.
