Dogs and humans have been working together for centuries. Furry friends have assisted us in hunting, search-and-rescue, and tracking ever since dog domestication. Hunting demands physical prowess and behavioral strength.
The best hunting dogs are capable of locating exactly where the game is hiding. They use their keen sense of smell to find their quarry. Having millions of olfactory receptors, these dogs can easily detect even days old scent trails.
Their bodies are specifically designed to help them with their tracking skills. Wrinkly skin traps scent particles, and floppy ears direct these particles from the ground towards their long muzzles. Tracking dogs are usually very intelligent, having a strong prey drive.
Here are the 9 best dog breeds for tracking and wildlife recovery.
Best Dog Breeds for Tracking and Wildlife Recovery
1. Bloodhound
Having the strongest sense of smell in the dog world, Bloodhounds are known for their excellent blood tracking abilities. Their wrinkly skin and long, floppy ears add to their skills as tracking dogs. Bloodhounds were meant to be pack dogs, so they get along nicely with other dogs.
Their short legs help them stay close to the ground, where they can easily detect scent particles. These large dogs are highly driven to trail, according to Britannica. It can make these dogs a challenge to train. They have an eager-to-please nature, but may get stubborn at times.
Do You Know? Bloodhounds comprise over 230 million scent receptors, that are roughly 40 times the olfactory receptors present in humans.
Bloodhounds excel at trailing blood and finding wounded deer. They need at least an hour of daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Considering their tendency to follow a trail, exercise should always be done on leash or in a fenced area.
2. German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers were originally bred as all-purpose hunting dogs capable of tracking, pointing, and retrieving. Unlike other bird dogs, GSPs point and signal by stopping and standing with their nose pointing in the direction of scent.
German Shorthaired Pointers not only make good tracking dogs, but can also successfully retrieve wounded game. These versatile canines work equally well on land and in water.
German Shorthaired Pointers are active dogs that enjoy the great outdoors. They need plenty of daily exercise to channel their energy in a positive direction. Their exceptional endurance and strength make them suitable for tracking wounded animals from long distances.
GSPs can easily keep up with you on a hiking trail due to their incredible stamina. They enjoy participating in a variety of dog sports, including agility, dock diving, tracking, pointing, field trials, and scent work. With proper training and socialization, GSPs make wonderful family dogs.
3. Redbone Coonhound
Redbone Coonhounds are medium to large American hound dogs that were bred for raccoon hunting. Mellow yet energetic, these hardworking dogs are suitable for hunting as well as companionship. Their watchful eyes, keen nose, and alert tail indicate that they make good tracking dogs.
Their solid red coat flashes, and jowls flop wildly as they efficiently recover the wounded game they have tracked. Like most hounds, Redbone Coonhounds use their baying bark to alert hunters once they have captured prey.
These athletic and agile dogs tirelessly accompany you on day-long hunting trips. Their laser-like focus simply adds to their tracking abilities. Coonhounds are high-energy dogs, according to PetMD. They need regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
Do You Know? Two Redbone Coonhounds named Old Dan and Little Ann were featured in the famous 1961 children’s novel, ‘Where the Red Fern Grows.’
4. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers, commonly known as Labs or Labradors, are one of the most popular dog breeds in America. Being gun dogs, they were originally bred to retrieve gun animals shot by hunters. Labs are highly energetic and versatile.
They can be anything from great hunters to loving family companions and incredible service dogs. Most importantly, their friendly nature makes them ideal pets for all.
A good tracking dog today also needs to be a good family dog. It requires a good nature and even temperament. Fortunately, Labradors have it all. Their excellent nose, calmness, and high trainability make them adept trackers.
Labrador Retrievers are very playful dogs. They are avid swimmers, so they can successfully retrieve game from marshy lands. According to WebMD, they also enjoy a variety of dog sports, including obedience, agility, and tracking.
5. English Springer Spaniel
English Springer Spaniels are compact, medium-sized dogs with a happy-go-lucky nature. Their gentle nature and enthusiastic personality make them perfect for family life. English Springer Spaniels were originally bred to flush birds through dense cover.
These lively dogs are packed with boundless energy and exceptional endurance, which makes them suitable for long days of hunting. Thanks to their compact size, you can easily kennel them for hunting trips. English Springer Spaniels are powerful sniffers.
Relatively low ground clearance, floppy ears, and keen noses make them a pro at tracking downed land-dwelling birds.
Do You Know? English Springer Spaniels are called ‘springers’ due to their unique style of bird hunting. They ‘spring’ or flush the birds through cover, startling them into flight so that hunters can easily shoot them.
6. American Foxhound
American Foxhounds resemble English Foxhounds in appearance and size, but are lightly built. It is one of the oldest dog breeds that was bred specifically to hunt foxes by chasing after them for several hours. Being hunting dogs, they are very fast on their feet and possess a strong sense of smell.
Apart from finding foxes, they can successfully track bow-shot deer, coyotes, bobcats, and other quarry. American Foxhounds are built for endurance, tracking, and pack hunting. They are highly energetic and affectionate dogs who make great family pets.
American Foxhounds need at least two hours of daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation. If you don’t give them an outlet to channel their energy, they can become destructive. They have a stubborn streak, so training should start at an early age.
7. Bluetick Coonhound
These American scent hounds were originally bred for tracking and treeing raccoons, using their scenting ability. In addition to raccoons, they can also track and recover big game like cougars and wild boar. Once they have tracked prey, they use their loud baying sound to inform their humans.
Do You Know? Bluetick Coonhounds are specifically associated with night hunting. They are known for holding the game at a tree while baying, until the hunter arrives.
At home, Bluetick Coonhounds are highly affectionate pets who stay incredibly loyal to their family. Due to their strong hunting drive, they can stubbornly follow a trail for several hours, even days. Blueticks need a decent amount of exercise every day.
You can take them for long walks or play with them in a fenced yard. However, never leave them off-leash, or you’ll probably have to track them.
8. Weimaraner
Weimaraners are large and athletic dogs with a remarkable ability to track and hunt large game, including bears and wolves. Originally bred in Germany as hunting dogs, Weims are known for their distinctive silver-gray coat, immense stamina, and high trainability.
Weims do well at tracking and recovering games due to their speed, courage, and durability. These versatile pooches thrive equally well in hunting fields as well as cherished family dogs. Weimaraners form strong bonds with their humans and do not like being left alone.
They are incredibly intelligent and use their brainpower and excellent sense of smell to perform well on a hunt. Regular exercise is required to prevent destructive behaviors like excessive barking, digging, and chewing.
Do You Know? Famous actress Grace Kelly and President Eisenhower, both owned Weimaraners (also known as Gray Ghosts).
9. American English Coonhound
American English Coonhounds are sweet-faced, muscular, and deep-chested dogs, bred for tracking and treeing game. These medium-sized dogs have a knack for hunting, thanks to their endurance and speed.
Their stamina and loud baying noise add to their hunting and tracking skills. American English Coonhounds are also valued by hunters due to their strong work ethic. They have a strong prey drive and high energy levels, which means they need plenty of daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation.
American English Coonhounds are moderately open to strangers. They are not very affectionate or lovey-dovey, but form strong bonds with their humans. These dogs may be a bit difficult to train because they are not as eager to please as some other dogs.
Conclusion
Hunting dogs that are best for tracking and wildlife recovery usually have a keen sense of smell and high intelligence. Thanks to their excellent scent tracking ability, they can detect several hours and even days old scents.
Their physical build and behavioral traits also enable them to excel as hunting dogs. Tracking dogs are usually very energetic and need lots of exercise for physical and mental stimulation. At home, they make loving family pets.
