You know that one dog at the park who doesn’t care about fetch, belly rubs, or even snacks—but suddenly locks onto something in the distance and ZOOMS into the bushes like they’ve just received a secret mission? Yeah, that dog’s got hare-sniffing DNA in their bones.
Dogs bred for tracking hares are not just fast—they have brains, noses, and instincts honed over generations. They blend scent accuracy, speed, and sharp turns with endurance and sheer drive. Imagine a dog going from zero to 40 km/h the moment it smells what it was born to find. These dogs that love hunting rabbits don’t lounge—they go after hares in bushes.
So here are 7 dog breeds that sniff out hares in open fields: they lock onto scent, chase across open terrain, and catch—sometimes not the speediest critter, but always the best story. From the brainy Border Collie weaving in curves to the sleek Greyhound hurtling like a missile—they show up, smell out, dash, and never quit.
Dog Breeds That Sniff Out Hares In Open Fields
1. Border Collie
Originating in the rugged borderlands of Scotland and England for herding sheep, these energetic dogs
now dominate tracking trials, search-and-rescue, and yes, hare scent chases.
They have fast-twitch muscles, insane neural capacity, and a scenting ability that makes them excellent at pinpointing targets in wide-open fields.
Their chase style is agile and strategic. Instead of just a bolt, a Collie reads the wind, adjusts its path mid-air, and corners like it’s dancing with gravity.
Scientifically, Border Collies have high neural plasticity—a fancy way of saying their brains adapt and solve problems fast. That’s how they navigate tricky scent trails and terrain faster than your GPS.
Historically, these dogs herded sheep using whistles over miles of moorland—so tracking a hare across a field is basically modernized sheep-drill instincts. They’ve been bred for focus, responsiveness, and agility, which also makes them superstars at tracking tests and competitive dog sports.
2. Irish Setter
Irish Setters are not your average puppy—they’re bred for stamina, speed, and scent-finding in open upland fields.
With their sleek mahogany coats and lean bodies, these rabbit-hunting dogs run like the wind, scent-checking air currents, and freezing with an elegant point when they hit a trail.
That’s no accident—Setters were developed as hunting dogs in Ireland hundreds of years ago. They were meant to hunt gamebirds and quickly evolved to range over miles of terrain. Their nose picks up airborne scent from significant distances, and they hold point until flushed.
While mostly trained as bird dogs, many Setters chase fast hares when the scent matches—or when the thrill overtakes them.
In scientific terms, these popular breed dogs have high aerobic capacity and long legs designed for long-distance cruising without fatigue. Their scenting is optimized for wind-carried odors, making them ideal for open-field prey hunts.
These hunting dogs bring spunk, grace, and genuine hunting grit.
3. Jack Russell Terrier
Tiny but ferocious—Jack Russell Terriers are basically aircraft on paws.
Originally bred in 19th-century England by Rev. John Russell to flush foxes from earths, they now chase anything small, fast, and twitchy—including hares. Their scenting is acute, their demeanor fearless, and their athleticism off the charts.
A JRT in hare-chase mode is a blur—darting low, zigzagging through clumps of grass, turning tighter than a pro skateboarder. They may not outrun a hare on a straight sprint, but their corner speed, endurance, and compact size let them hunt longer without tiring.
These scent hounds are also extremely driven—once scent is detected, they lean in.
As per AKC, the American Kennel Club, they’ve been used for flushing foxes, rabbits, and even badgers. This breeding created a dog that isn’t just fearless—it’s relentless. Scientifically, these versatile hunting dogs have high fast-twitch muscle fiber density, giving them explosive bursts and quick recoveries.
4. Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans aren’t just guard dogs—they can be surprisingly effective hunters.
With sleek athletic builds and high intelligence, they sniff, track, and hold scent tracks with remarkable endurance. In open fields, their speed and scenting ability let them track hares over distance—even if not famed for it, they can be improbable field partners.
They were bred in Germany in the 1890s as protection dogs for tax collectors, but their strong prey drive and stamina made them adept at detection and tracking tasks. They also have excellent noses—even if sleek hair and sharp ears make them look more modern guard-dog than field dog.
In science terms, Dobermans have high VO₂ max and lean musculature, enabling sustained running and scenting under pressure. They don’t only have incredible endurance, they’re quick learners as well, and can be trained for tracking or coursing drills effectively.
As per WebMD, they are affectionate family dogs who make phenomenal family pets that are not only known for their hunting style but are also popular as kids’ favorites at homes.
5. Greyhound
Classic sighthound energy—Greyhounds were bred for coursing hares from medieval times onward. With vision-driven chase styles and lightning acceleration, they see movement from afar and chase at speeds up to 45 mph.
They’ll happily go after the downed birds with their human hunting partners!
Historically, greyhound coursing dates back to the 16th century in Britain, where they were used to chase live hares across fields. Today, some still hunt in controlled coursing events where dogs chase in packs across open ground. Their prey drive is intense—if they see something run, they’re gone.
Compared to other dogs, they don’t rely on scent—they rely on sight and speed to chase down hares in open terrain.
Their body is designed like a race car—long legs, narrow chest, flexible spine. Greyhounds chase by sight, not scent, marking them as coursing specialists. In open fields, this hunting breed dogs spot a hare’s movement and bolt in seconds, making them lethal hare hunters when conditioned.
6. Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds are stunning, mysterious speedsters originally bred in the mountains of Afghanistan to hunt large prey like leopards and hares.
Britannica says they chase rabbits (and other small animals) like it’s their sole purpose in life!
Their long, silky coat and graceful frame hide athleticism that surges in open terrain—once they spot a hare, they transform into windblown silk missiles.
These beautiful dogs with phenomenal retrieving skills hunt by sight and scent combination—they can spot movement at a distance, then vault across plains with effortless speed. Despite their regal appearance, they’re fearless and independent. Their prey drive is strong, though their unique antique temperament includes aloofness.
Genetically, these hunting companions, compared to other breeds, are ancient, with a flexible spine, deep chest, and strong hindquarters, built for long-distance speed over rough terrain.
Great for active families, they love being a part of all the physical activities the fam-jam gets indulged in.
7. Basenji
The Basenji, Africa’s legendary “barkless dog,” might surprise you, but it’s historically a skilled hunter of small game, including hares. These dogs, bred specifically to hunt, are smart, alert, and hunt by sight and sound—they stalk, flush, chase, then catch—often working alone in open fields.
They have fast reflexes, lean builds, and curious personalities. Despite their distaste for water, if a hare crosses their path, they’ll chase with fierce stalking energy.
PetMD says their prey drive is silent but strong—they yodel when excited, but seldom bark.
Basenjis track by combining airflow scent detection with observation—they might hunt using visual tracking even when scent is faint. They’ve been used in the Congo and Nile regions for centuries to hunt other animals by sight and stealth.
At home, make sure to give them enough activities for mental stimulation.
Conclusion
There you go—7 dog breeds built for one thing: sniffing out hares in open fields with skill, speed, and style. Some other dogs that are known to hunt hares effortlessly are the Labrador retriever, Chesapeake Bay retriever, Plott hound, Redbone coonhound, Bluetick coonhound, German shorthaired pointer, and Golden retriever. They pursue rabbits with great passion and are some of the most ideal hunting companions out there.
These dogs aren’t couch potatoes—they’re field athletes and love the hunting season. Be it deer hunting, the idea of hunting foxes, or the activity of tracking rabbits, everything excites them. Decades (or centuries) of breeding refined their scenting, speed, and prey drive into machines of chase and pattern tracking.
