Looking for loyal and energetic hunting companions? When you’re hunting, having a companion who’s intelligent, has good instincts, a high sense of smell, and great endurance is appreciated. Whether you’re hunting in open fields, among dense woods, or muddy lands, these tracking dogs are your ideal companions.

We have gathered 7 of the best versatile hunting dogs who are great at tracking upland birds, wounded game, upland game, small game, ducks, large game, etc. These tracking dog breeds excel in hunting and were originally bred for this purpose. Even without training, these canines know what their role is.

Read on to learn more about these hunting dog breeds, what makes them ideal companions for tracking game birds and animals, and what makes them stand out from the canine world.

Best Dog Breeds For Tracking Wild Game And Birds

1. Labrador Retriever

Initially recognized by Britain, Labrador retrievers became a popular dog breed in the US after World War II. These hunting dogs are friendly, outgoing, and possess a sweet nature, which makes them great companions. According to the American Kennel Club, these beautiful dogs excel in rescue, service, and police departments.

Labradors are intelligent, have high energy, and are eager to please which makes them one of the best hunting breeds. They are known for waterfowl hunting, which includes ducks and geese, but they also excel in tracking down upland birds and small game. All this is possible thanks to their strong retrieving instincts.

Labs have a powerful yet keen nose, a soft mouth which does not damage the game birds. Their natural love for water and water-resistant coat make it easier for them to swim their way and catch wounded animals.

2. Boykin Spaniel

A unique dog from South Carolina, the Boykin Spaniels are sturdy, agile, and medium-sized breed that is energetic, eager to please, and known for their friendly temperament. According to Orvis, these bird dogs were developed to hunt wild turkey in wateree river swamps. Their physical attributes show that they are well-suited for this job.

They are durable gundogs, and their brown body coat camouflages them, allowing them to move effortlessly. These hunting dogs make excellent companions because of their keen sense of smell, ability to retrieve waterfowl effortlessly, and enthusiasm to work both on land and water.

The best part about these versatile hunters is that they are highly trainable. They listen to and grasp your commands fairly well in order to make long hunts seem fun, easy, and less tiring. These great dogs are not only excellent hunters but also make excellent pets at home.

3. Golden Retriever

Sturdy, muscular, luxurious medium coat, gentle, intelligent, and friendly Golden Retrievers are one of the most cooperative hunters, and the right breed for experienced hunters. These pups were originally bred in Scotland for waterfowl and upland bird hunting.

Their ancestors were called the “yellow retrievers” because of their high trainability and being versatile dogs. Goldies are strong, and with consistent training, they prove to be the best hunting dogs you will ever come across.

Their unending stamina and need to impress make them ideal partners for both fresh and experienced hunters. They are highly energetic dogs, which is why they require regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay well-behaved and obedient.

4. English Springer Spaniel

Originally bred for chasing birds to fly for hunters to shoot, English springer spaniels are recognized by their floppy ears, wavy outercoat, and playful and gentle demeanor. Other than being a marvelous hunting dog, these spaniels also prove to be great family dogs.

These dogs were bred specifically for being working dogs, which is why they like having a task to do. They benefit from proper training schedules, regular exercise, and require enough space where they can stretch their legs out. According to PetMD, they belong to the social breeds from the dog world and prefer human companionship.

A fun fact about their name is that the word “spring” defines their hunting skill. Spring means flush; these dogs are ideal for flushing birds so that hunters can shoot them easily, and these canines can retrieve those game birds.

5. Vizsla

Vizsla, also known as the Hungarian pointing dog, whose hunting skills were recognized in the US. They were used as gun dogs because of their excellent pointing and retrieving skills. Vizsla were used to hunt rabbits, upland game, and waterfowl. At first, they were used as scent hounds because of their great sense of smell, but later went into hunting because of their natural instincts.

Other than being an excellent pointing dog, these canines are gentle, affectionate, and active pups who are easy to train and need regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and satisfied. A vizsla forms strong bonds with their owners and does not like to be left alone for a long time.

These dogs have great stamina and can be great hiking, jogging, and running partners. These hunting dogs require obedience training to stay in control and reach their full potential. These dogs have a single coat, which is why they are not well-suited for outdoor living spaces.

6. Curly Coated Retriever

Other than being extremely intelligent and loyal family dogs, curly-coated retrievers are the perfect hunting partners for regular hunters. These pups are highly active, which is why they require proper training when they are young so they grow up to be well-behaved and obedient bird dogs.

These hunting dogs have a great sense of smell, a sturdy build, and a water-repellent coat that allows them to swim in water easily and follow scent trails in any hunting environment. These canines are great at tracking wounded animals and wild boar or game.

These dogs are slightly build different as compared to other retrievers on the list. These large dogs may be slightly slower than other bird dogs, but their persistence makes them excellent at hunting tasks. All in all, these bird dogs have a great personality and love working independently while also following commands.

7. Brittany

Considered to be the official state dogs of France, Brittany spaniels are a versatile breed and a superior pointing dog. Their high intelligence and quirkiness make them excellent hunting dogs. According to Purina UK, they are a medium-sized hunting dog breed with a muscular build.

They are classified as a utility gun dog, which means they hunt, point, retrieve, and flush game animals. Because they are active dogs, they require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. You can take help from our dog exercise calculator to plan a schedule for your dogs:

Brittany is easy-going and loves to spend time outside. They are enthusiastic and can chase down ducks all day long. They make great pets for sportsmen or individuals with an active lifestyle. All those who prefer outdoor adventures, this is the hunting dog breed for you.

Conclusion

If you’re a hunter, you would know that tracking and hunting birds not just requires natural instincts, but it also requires strength, endurance, stamina, focus, and an obedient dog. These hunting dog breeds are some of the most highly valued canines for this purpose.

These hunting dogs have a sharp sense of smell. These pups require consistent training, regular exercise, and obedience training to stay well-behaved pups. Unlike other dogs, these pups are strong and built for rough terrain. So, if you love hunting, these are the ideal choices for you.