Tracking dogs have been assisting hunters in their expeditions for centuries. Their sharp sense of smell, keen instincts, and unwavering determination enable them to successfully trace game through forests, fields, and marshes.
If you are looking for a perfect tracking dog, you need to look for certain traits in the breed you are going to adopt. For instance, a good tracking dog should be able to follow a scent trail. It should possess bundles of energy and a high drive.
These, combined with its physical prowess, will help it navigate rugged terrains effortlessly. A good hunting dog should be highly intelligent and easy to train. It should possess unmatched stamina and endurance.
Have a look at these top 10 hunting dog breeds that excel at tracking.
Top Hunting Dog Breeds That Excel At Tracking
1. Irish Setter
Recognized by its striking red coat, the Irish Setter is a skilled hunting dog with a keen sense of smell. These versatile dogs were originally bred to locate, set, and flush birds and other upland game. They have been named as ‘setters’ due to their unique hunting style.
Irish Setters indicate they have found the prey by ‘setting’ down on their belly. Their high speed and endurance enable them to cover large fields with ease. Irish Stters are loyal and affectionate to their owners.
Thanks to their stamina and courage, they also excel at a variety of canine sports, including dock diving, agility, tracking, rally, and flyball. Their sensitive nature makes them ideal therapy dogs and assistance dogs, explains the American Kennel Club.
2. Brittany Spaniel
Brittany Spaniel is a spirited and agile hunting companion, known for its enthusiasm in the field. This versatile bird dog is perfect for hunting upland game with precision and speed. Brittanys are equally adept at retrieving and pointing.
It makes these high-energy dogs an ideal fit for those seeking an all-purpose hunting dog. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation every day to stay healthy and content. Their amazing sense of smell makes them astonishing tracking dogs.
Brittany Spaniels have an affectionate nature, and they love pleasing their owners. They are smart and playful and make perfect companions for active families who can keep up with their exercise needs. Brittanys make excellent family dogs.
3. German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers are friendly and intelligent dogs with lots of attractive traits. Intense focus and incredible stamina allow these versatile bird dogs to work efficiently alongside hunters. GSPs do well as pointing and tracking dogs.
They also possess excellent retrieving skills and can easily help trail wounded game due to their strong instincts. Their athleticism and high energy levels contribute to their hunting abilities. GSPs are eager and quick learners who can be trained easily.
Unlike other bird dogs, GSPs can point and signal by stopping and standing with their nose pointed in the direction of the scent, explains PetMD. German Shorthaired Pointers have a strong prey drive, due to which they are not well-suited for homes with smaller pets.
4. Basset Hound
Basset Hounds were originally bred as scenthounds, which means they can track scents from long distances. These remarkable tracking dogs are capable of following scent trails even in dense undergrowth and damp conditions.
Basset Hounds are relatively small, yet sturdy dogs standing very low to the ground. These physical attributes enable them to easily navigate dense brush while tracking a scent. Their long ears and loose skin also help them trap scent particles.
Basset Hounds are affectionate and loyal companions. They get along well with everybody, including kids and other pets. With proper training and socialization, they make great family dogs.
Do You Know? Bassets are second only to Bloodhounds when it comes to powerful sense of smell and tracking ability.
5. Weimaraner
Hailing from Germany, these sleek and swift dogs are often called ‘gray ghosts’ due to their striking silver coats. Weimaraners were originally bred as hunting dogs. hunters mainly used them to capture big game such as wild boars and bears.
Weimaraners are one of the most versatile dogs who can also hunt birds. Thanks to their obedience, intelligence, and keen senses, they excel in tracking and hunting game. Their speed and endurance also make them outclass hunting companions.
Weimaraners also have strong swimming abilities, which enable them to move through swamps and marshy places during various hunting scenarios. Their short double coat and webbed feet assist them in doing so.
6. English Pointer
The English Pointer is a pioneer among pointing dogs. They can be easily characterized by standing still when it successfully spots the game. English Pointers aim their nose in the direction of the quarry and hold up one of their front paws.
This trait likely emerged as a spontaneous mutation in some dogs, which were then selectively bred. With an athletic build, a graceful personality, and a balanced stance, English Pointers are one of the best tracking dogs.
English Pointers are capable of great speed and agility. These energetic dogs require an ample amount of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. English Pointers need a secure or fenced yard to roam and exercise.
7. Bluetick Coonhound
Bluetick Coonhounds are smart and tenacious dogs with tremendous prey drive. With their outclass hunting skills, Bluetick Coonhounds are speedy and compact nocturnal hunters. Their courage is reflected in their history of chasing cougars and mountain dogs.
Blessed with high energy and strong noses, Bluetick Coonhounds are a top dog breed for hunters. They can be quite vocal when not finding the prey. You can overcome this behavior by providing them with outlets for their energy.
Purina mentions Bluetick Coonhounds as experts in treeing raccoons and other small game animals. These loyal and affectionate dogs make excellent companions.
Do You Know? They have been named ‘Bluetick’ due to their coat color which has a dark blue spotted pattern.
8. Bloodhound
These wrinkly dogs have the strongest noses in the canine world. That is why they outshine many tracking dog breeds. Bloodhounds are even used as police dogs due to their scent-tracking abilities. They can be trained to smell human scent left on an object and pick it from a group of tracks.
Their wrinkly skin and long ears help trap scent particles and direct them towards the nose. Bloodhounds are active dogs who need an ample amount of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation. They exhibit a gentle and affectionate nature to their humans.
Do You Know? Bloodhounds possess over 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses.
Bloodhounds were bred to hunt in packs, so they get along nicely with other dogs. They use howling or baying to communicate with their pack.
9. Black and Tan Coonhound
Black and Tan Coonhound is a loyal hunting companion with a strong sense of smell, which enables them to track scents with ease. Like other breeds on our list, Black and Tan Coonhounds don’t have the same exercise requirements as some other breeds.
Still, they need lots of daily exercise for physical and mental stimulation and thrive in active households. They make loving family pets due to their gentle and easygoing nature. At home, they will gladly lounge around with you.
Black and tan coonhounds have a strong instinct to chase every moving object. So they may not be an ideal pet for homes with smaller pets. Proper training and early socialization are important to turn them into well-behaved pets.
10. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dogs are medium-sized hunting dogs well-suited for a variety of tasks. Originally bred in Louisiana to track and flush wild hogs, these canines are quite versatile. They also excel in hunting, recovering wounded game, herding, and treeing game.
Catahoula Leopard Dogs possess abundant energy. When not working, they need at least an hour or two of regular exercise to stay physically and mentally fit. They are independent thinkers with the ability to work in tough conditions.
Catahoulas need proper training and early socialization to turn into well-behaved family pets. They are quite low-maintenance when it comes to coat grooming. Catahoulas need only weekly brushing to keep their coat clean and tangle-free.
Conclusion
Hunting dog breeds are valued for their keen instincts and amazing noses. Due to these traits, they make excellent tracking dogs. Good tracking dogs are capable of following several-day-old scent trails without getting distracted.
Such canines possess incredible endurance, unmatched stamina, and lots of strength. Many of them are highly energetic and need plenty of regular exercise for physical and mental stimulation. Proper training and socialization are important to turn them into well-behaved pets.
