Hunting as a sport becomes memorable when a man experiences the company of a four-legged animal that not only provides assistance but also offers safety to its partner. The dog world has different types of pooches that hunt differently and can easily be classified based on prey and environment.
Scent hounds track their targets by smelling their traces, and then come bird dogs that hunt birds and flush them out for their owners, and terriers with strong prey drives can easily hunt small game and fit into tight places.
All of them have already proven their worth through their God-given abilities. Understanding these breeds means understanding how deeply nature and nature intertwined in canine behavior.
Dog Breeds for Tracking and Finding Prey Every Hunter Relies On
1. Basset Hound
Hailing from France, these hunting dogs were originally bred specifically to hunt small game. With a hundred years of history, Basset Hounds still hunt animals, especially rabbits, in their native country. They are calm and peaceful dogs who get along with other dogs and children via early socialization.
Basset Hounds are blessed with a great sense of smell, which is amplified when combined with their short yet sturdy stature and long ears. They can easily navigate areas with thick underbrush and fit underneath the briars and bushes compared to other larger dogs..
According to Britannica, this tracking dog breed demands at least an hour of exercise when at home and excels in scent trail, and can ignore their owners while doing their most favorite work unless the target is achieved. These loyal companions make good watchdogs as well.
2. Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a versatile dog in terms of hunting styles. They are famous for their silver coats, upland bird hunting, and endurance. These powerful and muscular dogs were primarily bred in Germany for big game hunting, via tracking and taking downed birds and large prey such as wild boar, as noted by Wikipedia.
Weimaraner is an active dog who is blessed with speed and intelligence, making physical and mental stimulation important for its well-being. Their calm disposition make the great family dogs and hunting dogs for active families who have prior experience of handling such big dogs.
These all-purpose hunting companions excel in pointing, retrieving, and tracking wounded game. While they burn off their energy levels, Weimaraners love to be cuddled up by their favorite ones. Being a smart dog breed, proper training and early socialization are a must for their groomed behavior.
3. English Pointer
The name displays the job itself, English Pointer thrives in the upland bird hunting, by pointing the prey and aiming its nose in the direction of the target, and then holding it in one of its paws. This bird dog and gun dog qualifies as one of the toughest breeds that work for long hours to track scents in fields.
These friendly dogs make loving family pets in homes if provided with early training and socialization. They love being involved in outdoor activities, so that their high energy levels can be met, they become destructive dogs. Moreover, short hair coat needs less grooming, according to PetMD.
Fenced yard and leash training are crucial for them if you are planning to have this hunting dog, since it has a sharp sense of smell and a curious nature. Consistency, patience, and the introduction of positive reinforcement methods can train these independent dogs.
4. Bluetick Coonhound
This beloved scent hound was mainly used to hunt raccoons, and had a unique sound to bay or howl, letting their hunting partners know about catching their target. Today, these hunting dogs can make family pets as well and get along with children.
You can hear loud mournful music, which results when these energetic dogs do not get enough mental and physical enrichment. These devoted dogs make deep bonds with their owners and do not tolerate their absence for a long time.
Bluetick Coonhound does not live with small animals due to high prey drive, so multi-pet households should avoid them. To see them thriving, proper training and early socialization, along with regular exercise, are a must. These big dogs do not adore apartment living, but ample space and active families.
5. Beagle
This dog breed was bred for hunting small game, with a big personality in a small size. With floppy ears and a dense double coat, Beagles make wonderful family pets for active households. However, their energy levels tend to decrease with their age, but their love for hiking and hunting never dies.
According to the AKC, Beagles are happy-go-lucky dogs with a sensitive temperament who do not respond to harsh training. Pet owners should train them via different methods, as they have a low attention span and get bored due to their smart and curious nature.
They are highly affectionate towards their favorite ones, but remain reserved around strangers and new surroundings, and sometimes exhibit a loud bark after exposure.
Fun Fact: Beagle’s name is derived from a French word meaning open throats, referring to their howling.
6. Irish Setter
Irish Setters are popular due to their mahogany coat, and are often called redheaded dogs. They are also celebrated for their natural abilities for hunting birds by setting and pointing them. Irish Setters can also be trained to flush birds as well as in retrieving skills.
They carve human companionship, whether it’s in fields or at home. Do not leave them alone for a long time, otherwise they develop undesirable behaviors. Irish Setters get along with kids, but their size can be a risk for families with toddlers.
Being a high-energy dog breed, Irish Setters thrive in active lifestyles. They are intellectual and love learning new things. Keep their sessions fun as they have a playful and independent nature. Irish Setters do not bark excessively till they sense something unusual or are not doing well.
7. Brittany Spaniel
Excelling in upland bird hunting, the Brittany Spaniel is another hunting dog breed for hunters, thanks to their agility, enthusiasm, and strong nose. Not only that, this versatile hunting partner is equally adept at retrieving and pointing abilities.
Overall, these dogs are loving and sensitive, which is why reward-based methods work best for their training. They do have a strong prey drive and are not suitable for houses with other animals with swift movements. Their high energy levels and endurance make them hunting companions for long distances.
Brittany Spaniels are smart and eager to please dogs in the context of training sessions, including obedience and agility. These big dogs are also prone to some joint-related health issues, so make sure you do not put undue stress on their joints.
8. German Shorthaired Pointer
Our list is ending with the German Shorthaired Pointer, abbreviated as GSP, a classic hunting dog. Known for speed and agility and incredible senses of nose, they thrive in tracking, pointing, and retrieving as bird dogs. However, they are not tolerant of cold temperatures and may develop hypothermia.
Since they have good stamina, people who adore outdoor adventures can have the companionship of a GSP and would never regret it. Physical and mental stimulations are important to burn off their high energy levels. They do well with families having children and other pets.
At least an hour of physical activities, including running, fetching, and agility games are enough for their well-being. After meeting their needs, these dogs love snuggling and couch time along with their owners. Obedience training is a must for this smart dog breed to be your companion for long hunts.
Conclusion
The hunting dogs are an embodiment of generations of selective breeding driven by instincts, resilience, focus, and adaptability. They show how deeply the purpose they were bred for is still carried in their genes, regardless of the hustling lives of the present century.
To make them remarkable hunting partners for their owners, the right outlets of training and respect should always be considered and provided.
There are some other breeds as well that thrive in hunting big game, upland game, and blood tracking, such as Golden Retrievers, English Springer Spaniel, German Wirehaired Pointer, Labrador Retriever, and English Setter.
