A hunting dog assists hunters in tracking, retrieving, or chasing game. Their keen senses, stamina, and loyalty make them ideal for these tasks. Hunting demands endurance, so good hunting dogs are capable of navigating challenging terrains for long hours.
They are usually blessed with an excellent sense of smell, which enables them to track scents over great distances and time. Such canines are usually very obedient and possess excellent flushing and retrieving skills.
Hunting dogs are highly intelligent. They pick up on new tricks and commands easily and know when to take action. From bird dogs to scent hounds and terriers, this article highlights a variety of hunting dog breeds.
Have a look at the 9 best hunting dog breeds for tracking game animals.
Best Hunting Dog Breeds For Tracking Game Animals
1. Weimaraner
Germany’s sleek and swift ‘Gray Ghost’ is loved by hunters and families alike. Weimaraner is a medium-sized hunting dog breed, with its history dating back to the nineteenth century. These versatile canines have been used by hunters as pointing, flushing, retrieving, and tracking dogs.
Having a high prey drive, Weimaraners thrive on chasing birds, tracking scents, and pursuing prey. Their high energy levels, athleticism, and brainpower enable them to excel in the field. According to the American Kennel Club, Weimaraners need regular exercise for physical and mental well-being.
Interesting Fact: President Eisenhower and actress Grace Kelly, both were Weimaraner pet parents.
Weimaraners are smart dogs who learn quickly. Early training and socialization are important to ensure that they grow into well-mannered adults. Weimaraners make great hiking and running partners. They also excel at dock diving and lure coursing.
2. Brittany
Formerly known as Brittany Spaniels, Brittanys were bred as all-purpose hunting dogs. These long-legged creatures make excellent companions for long hunts as they can enthusiastically chase ducks all day.
Brittanys excel at hunting birds. They are capable of hunting and tracking all kinds of birds, including ducks, pheasants, woodcocks, and partridges, according to WebMD. With proper training, Brittanys can take down most small game.
However, it also means that they tend to mistake all small animals as prey. That is why they may not be suitable for multi-pet households. Apart from being wonderful bird dogs, Brittanys also make great family dogs.
They are incredibly loyal and affectionate dogs, having high energy levels. Brittanys thrive in active and outdoorsy families. They are good with children and other dogs, but may take a little longer to open up with strangers.
3. American Foxhound
American Foxhound is a friendly and musically sounding dog that was originally bred in the U.S. for hunting and tracking. Their keen sense of smell and excellent tracking abilities make them outclass hunting companions.
These scenthounds hunt foxes by scent and are very difficult to call back once they get on a scent trail. American Foxhounds are athletic and active dogs. You can exercise their bodies and minds by making them participate in various activities.
They excel at coursing ability tests, rally, tracking, and other sports. American Foxhounds can also be trained for recovering wounded game. They make good family pets, but their innate prey drive can make them problematic around small animals.
4. English Springer Spaniel
Originally bred in the United Kingdom to flush game birds from cover, English Springer Spaniels are excellent hunting dogs. They flush small game or birds by ‘springing’ on them. Once in the open, the birds can be captured by hunting hawks, hounds, or a hunter’s net, explains Orvis.
They possess unmatched stamina, high energy, and impressive brainpower. ESS makes handsome and mannerly pets during the week. On weekends, they are the trustworthy hunting buddies. English Springer Spaniels were bred to work closely with humans.
They love to please their people and enjoy their company. These highly trainable canines are willing to join any family activity. Long walks, games of chase and fetch, and swimming are their favorites. Their beautiful and luxurious coats easily grab your attention.
5. Basset Hound
Very few dog breeds have the sense of smell as well defined as the Basset. The Basset Hound is still one of the favorite animals to track rabbits or hares. These short and sturdy dogs are capable of tracking even in dense undergrowth and damp conditions.
Basset Hounds do not run as fast as sight hounds. They were developed for endurance and scent tracking abilities, not speed. Hunters who did not have horses needed slower dogs to follow more easily on foot. Basset Hounds made excellent hunting dogs for such individuals.
However, Bassets are quite vocal and often use baying sounds to communicate. Due to their high prey drive, they may also end up tracking non-prey animals like another dog or your cat. Proper training and early socialization can help overcome this behavior.
6. Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred to pull sleds in cold temperatures. Resembling a Siberian Husky in appearance, Malamautes are strong dogs known for their high endurance and stamina. They were also used as tracking and hunting dogs in the past.
Hunters used Alaskan Malamutes to hunt seals, scare polar bears, and pull heavy loads. Their thick double coats give them a striking appearance and provide adequate insulation against extreme weather. Today, they are widely loved and adopted by many people as pets.
These highly active dogs need lots of exercise and mental stimulation every day to stay healthy and content. You can take your Alaskan Malamute for regular walks and allow them to play and run freely outside.
7. Beagle
Beagles were initially developed as hunting dogs. Led by their strong noses, Beagles are capable of unzipping backpacks to steal lunches. Their keen sense of smell enables them to excel as tracking dogs. Their perseverance in tracking game makes them perfect companions in the field.
Once they have located the prey, Beagles use their distinctive ‘baying’ sound to inform hunters. Their energy and determination make them suitable for long hunts. When out in the field, they are alert and aware of what is going on around them all the time, so that hunters do not mistake them for a deer.
Their alertness also enables them to protect themselves against potential dangers such as large animals. Beagles are very loyal to their owners and make loving and affectionate pets. They tend to be good with children and other dogs at home.
8. Pharaoh Hound
The famous ‘blushing dog’ from Malta, the Pharaoh Hound, is an elegant but rugged sprinting hound bred to course small game over rugged terrains. They are quick and tenacious on scents and make excellent tracking dogs.
While robust and efficient in the hunting field, Pharaoh Hounds are affectionate and friendly companions at home. They were bred to hunt in packs, which means they get on well with other dogs. Pharaoh Hounds require regular exercise to stay physically and mentally fit.
Pharaoh Hounds are quick to learn and eager to please. They respond best to positive reinforcement-based training methods. Being hunting dogs, they have a strong prey drive, which means they are highly responsive to small, fast-moving objects or animals.
9. Treeing Walker Coonhound
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are known for their remarkable ability to quickly track hunting quarry. Their unique bugle-like bark can travel long distances to inform hunters that they have tracked the game. They were primarily bred to hunt raccoons.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds can also be trained to track other game such as squirrels, deer, bears, bobcats, and cougars. They are very playful, active, and athletic dogs who need at least moderate exercise every day to stay fit.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds excel at high endurance activities like running, tracking, agility, and hiking trials. They were primarily bred as working dogs and today, make excellent family pets. They need minimal maintenance and are not prone to health issues.
Conclusion
Several hunting dog breeds are known for their excellent tracking abilities. Their high drive, keen senses, and strong sense of smell enable them to excel at field. They also possess unmatched strength, stamina, and endurance.
Their strong prey drive makes them unsuitable for multi-pet households and homes with small children. These canines usually have high energy levels and are very athletic. They need regular exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation.
With proper training and socialization, they can turn into well-behaved pets.
