For a gamekeeper, there is nothing more rewarding than a hunting dog by your side.
Dogs have long been admired for their excellent tracking skills. Some breeds excel in this field due to their sharp noses and strong work ethics. Many other physical characteristics, like floppy ears and wrinkly skin, equally participate while sniffing and locating prey.
These dog breeds are among the best ones from the whole canine kingdom, supporting in many field-like police, search and rescue missions, and law enforcement. Their loyalty and instincts are absolutely unquestionable. Their great sense of smell, combined with high intelligence help them track scents over many challenging terrains.
In this article, we explore seven of the best tracking dog breeds with excellent noses that excel on hard trails, games, and great distances. Whether you’re a hunter, enthusiast, or someone who admires certain breeds, keep reading till the end to learn more about these wonderful breeds.
Best Dog Breeds for Tracking and Locating Animals
1. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel belongs to the ‘Gundog’ breed group and is the second most popular spaniel. Native to England, these dogs were bred to work closely with humans. Medium-sized, athletic, and highly energetic, they have a personality of both hunting dogs and family dogs. The AKC labels them as “highly trainable people pleasers”.
Tracking Ability
While traditionally working dogs, English Springer Spaniels possess an exceptional nose that makes them skilled at tracking and locating hidden game. They love having a job to do; their smartness and eager-to-please nature make them more efficient in learning new skills.
English Springer Spaniels use both air scenting and ground tracking to pursue small game. Their strong prey drive keeps them focused on a trail, even in challenging terrain. Their enthusiasm, combined with stamina and an efficient working style, help excelling at flushing games into nets and guns.
Training
Start engaging them in fun activities like long walks, chasing games, fetch, and swimming.
They respond best to positive reinforcement, and learning with patience can help them master commands quickly.
2. German Shorthaired Pointer
These are the most versatile companions from the sporting group. GSPs are smart, athletic, and slim-built dogs with cute floppy ears and a short brown coat. They’re also known as ‘bird dogs’ or ‘bird hunters’, assisting in retrieving game from both land and water. These talented hunters can also make wonderful pets for the right owners and family.
Tracking Ability
GSPs can be successful tracking dogs due to their athleticism and high intelligence. According to GSPCA, tracking can be the most rewarding activity that you can do with them. They have an excellent sense of smell and can cover long distances or different weather conditions easily.
German Shorthaired Pointers are skilled retrievers with a signature ‘pointing behavior’. This helps them find hidden games, allowing hunters to approach and flush them. This breed is also equipped with webbed feet and an agile body for water retrieving.
Training
Consistent, reward-based training can bring out the best results.
Proper socialization is crucial; expose them to different people and environments for better manners.
3. English Setter
The English Setter is one of the oldest gun dog breeds in the world. Slim and Elegant, some individuals come in tricolor varieties. According to PetMD, the word ‘setter’ defines their practice of setting low when looking for birds to hunt. Known for their adaptable temperament, these dogs love to give and receive affection.
Tracking Ability
Never doubt an English Setter, as they hold strong work ethics, particularly as hunting companions. They’re highly perceptive and have the ability to focus on a task for a long period of time. Their skill to hunt birds with precision made them valuable partners for hunters in the field.
Due to their hunting background, these dogs are very active and energetic. They love outdoor sessions and can efficiently trail over extended distances with their great scenting skills.
Training
Use advanced training techniques such as agility and retrieving to develop more complex behavior.
Early obedience training with constant positive reinforcement throughout the dog’s life is necessary.
4. Black Mouth Cur
The strong Black Mouth Cur, named for its black snout, is a working dog breed with a lively personality. These versatile breeds were bred to work on farmlands, especially in the United States. Their highly driven energy and determination have earned them a great reputation as tracking dogs, while their sweet and loyal nature also makes them great family dogs.
Tracking Ability
Black Mouth Curs are also referred to as Squirrel Dogs due to their agility and instincts. With sharp senses and stamina, these dogs excel in hunting wild game like squirrels and raccoons. They have high energy and trainability, allowing them to focus on hard tasks and navigate rough and varied terrains.
This breed is also popular for its herding skills, balancing both roles perfectly. They may be overwhelming for novice owners, but once bonded, their loyalty is unmatched.
Training
Like other dogs, these pups also need proper training and socialization to learn new tasks.
Thanks to their intelligence, these dogs excel in agility and obedience trials.
5. Golden Retriever
America’s most beloved pet, the Golden Retriever, is a medium-sized dog with a graceful appearance. “Goldens,” as many dog lovers call them, these pups are mainly known for their kindness, but make great hunting partners too. Because they’re good-natured, these sweet dogs are trustworthy and easily trainable, as stated by Purina.
Tracking Ability
Goldens have remarkable scent work abilities, which makes them good trackers too. They excel in many search and rescue missions, as well as other hunting activities like waterfowl retrieving. They were originally bred to assist in hunting, but their strong nose and calm working style help in the tracking process.
Golden Retrievers have exceptional olfactory receptors inside their structured nose, allowing them to differentiate between varied scents. The best thing is that they’re strong-bodied and obedient, which makes tracking much easier.
Training
Goldens require daily mental stimulation with tasks such as agility and field training, including flushing and retrieving.
As water-loving dogs, swimming and fetching are the best exercises for them.
6. American Foxhound
One of the oldest and rarest breeds in the United States, American Foxhounds stand out for their easygoing temperament and goofy personalities. You can guess by name that these companions were bred to hunt foxes. According to the AKC, these rugged hunters are known for their speed, stamina, and work ethic.
Tracking Ability
American Foxhounds have been used for their tracking skills for centuries. As a hunting dog, they possess incredible strength and scenting ability. Tracking with them can be a great experience given the breed’s intelligence and willingness to please.
Primarily used to hunt foxes, these dogs were trained to follow the scents of foxes and other small animals. Their keen sense of smell helps them locate specific objects in open terrain. Today, they’re quite popular as tracking dogs for law enforcement and other purposes.
Training
Teach them basic obedience commands and gradually start with tracking exercises.
It is important to leash train your pup and keep them within a securely fenced-in area.
7. Labrador Retriever
One of the most popular dog breeds, Labrador retrievers belong to the sporting group and originated in Newfoundland. They were bred to be hunting companions, but their excellent character and friendly disposition make them a high priority as a family pet. Like other breeds, Labs also have short legs, helping them pick scent particles from the ground.
Tracking Ability
Although famous for retrieving, these high-energy dogs also have excellent scenting ability that aids in many tracking and locating processes. Labs are also useful in explosives detection, water rescue (even in cold water), and fieldwork.
In the 1800s, these dogs were also used to hunt dead and wounded game, bringing it back to hunters safely. Labs love to work and do their job with full determination, making them reliable partners for hunters.
Training
Labs have boundless energy, so they need daily exercise, including running and playing fetch.
Swimming and dog sports like dock diving are a great option to keep them engaged.
Conclusion
Tracking and locating games aren’t something for show dogs- it demands instinct, determination, and enthusiasm that can only be found in a true hunting dog breed. The dogs mentioned in this article stand out in their roles due to serious work drive, tracking skills, and natural abilities.
Wonder how these dogs manage to be loving family pets too?
They have natural protective instincts and loyalty in them that truly make them versatile companions. If you need a hunting partner who’s both alert and affectionate, try reading about some of the best breeds like Beagles, Bloodhounds, and Irish Setters.
