Dogs have been man’s hunting companion from the very beginning. There are several types of hunting dogs. While some dogs love to stay by their human, others seek less attention and thrive as independent hunting dog breeds.
What’s even more interesting is that independent hunting dogs feel secure and confident without constant human interaction. Such breeds are loyal, affectionate, and require less guidance from their handlers. They possess strong hunting skills and can make independent decisions when needed.
Do you know? Hunting dogs have the ability to freeze on point. It allows hunters to approach and flush birds within shooting range.
Only a few hunting dogs make good pets. Here are the 7 best hunting dog breeds that make good house dogs.
Independent Hunting Dog Breeds
1. Greyhound
Greyhounds are one of the fastest dogs that were originally bred for hunting. They are often adopted as family pets in their middle age, after being retired from their racing careers. Popular for their running skills, this dog breed has a speed of more than 40 miles per hour.
This champion canine sprinter has a medium length and a short coat. Its narrow, tapered head and shock-absorbing feet pad make this dog run like the wind.
Greyhound pups find it easier to relax on their own. They love napping and can spend an average of 20 hours a day sleeping. They are happy with a leisurely walk of an hour every day. According to Newsweek, older adult Greyhounds do not require a daily run.
This hunting breed has a low-maintenance lifestyle. They are usually calm, quiet, and independent. Also, they prefer to spend time in solitude in their own dog bed in a quiet place. Greyhounds are sweet-tempered and gentle.
The deep chest of greyhound pups curving into a tightly tucked waist creates a beautiful inverted S shape. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), greyhounds have been a symbol of fascination for poets and artists for several decades.
2. Beagle
Beagles are a breed of scent hound. Their strong sense of smell and loud voice make them an ideal breed to hunt small game, primarily rabbits. Beagles are active dogs with a sensitive nature. If they get a chance, they can escape your yard and spend days chasing after small animals.
The word Beagle derives from a French term, “begueule,” which means open throat. Queen Elizabeth kept a hound of pocket beagles and used to take them for hunting in saddlebags. Henry VII also owned a hound of glove beagles. Americans started keeping beagles as pets around the 20th century.
They are adorable, friendly, and smart. You can call these family dogs the happiest hunting companions on the planet. They are cheerful and known for pleasing strangers on leisurely walks.
Beagles are medium-sized dogs with a dense double coat and a constantly wagging tail. PetMD notes that their floppy ears look cute but make them more vulnerable to ear infections than other breeds. Therefore, beagle owners need to clean their pups’ ears regularly.
Beagles are excellent family companions, being eager to please. If you are looking for a canine who is happy around your kids and even with lots of new faces around, a beagle might be the best dog for you. However, they are the happiest when left in the woods to hunt for hares.
3. Dachshund
Dachshunds are another breed of hunting dogs that make the best house pets. These funny-looking buddies have little legs and long wiener-shaped bodies. The body shape is appropriate for crawling into holes while looking for badgers.
Doxies (short for Dachshund) have forward-flopping ears that protect their ear canals while rushing through the bushes. Their curled-up tails make them visible to their hunting partners coming behind them. They are excellent scent dogs that help in tracking wounded animals and bird hunting.
Dachshund is a German word that means “badger dog.” Doxies have been serving the dangerous job of preying on badgers since the 18th century. They are fierce hunters with a high prey drive. Dachshunds are a bit tenacious and brave to the point of carelessness.
As pets, Doxies are even-tempered and affectionate. But, they might not be very friendly around young kids. AKC reports that they have two sizes:
Miniature (weighing up to 11 pounds), and
Standard (weighing up to 35 pounds).
Depending on their coat types, doxies can be wirehaired, long-haired, or smooth-haired. They are also known as “hot dogs” or “wiener dogs.”
Badger dogs excel at any sort of hunting task and have a strong tracking game. They are popular for hunting birds and tracking deer. Sometimes, these bird hunters can be a bit stubborn and bossy around other animals. While choosing your dachshund, be careful to find the right dog for your needs!
4. Newfoundland
Newfoundland and the Labrador retriever share the same breed as their common ancestor. Newfie is a powerful working dog with massive bones. Male newfies can weigh up to 150 pounds, whereas females weigh between 100 and 120 pounds. They have a flat, coarse, and waterproof outer coat.
Like Labrador retrievers, Newfies originated from Newfoundland island. They have a friendly yet independent nature. Newfie makes good family dog due to its calm and collected nature. It is quite patient and watchful around young kids, hence called the nanny dog.
Newfs don’t bark every time the doorbell rings or a stranger passes by. They also have the willingness to spend time alone. These traits make them an ideal choice if you’re looking for an independent dog breed.
Britannica mentions that Newfie is a gentle giant who does not need extensive exercise. A leisurely walk or a short playful session is enough to keep them fit. They are not suited for hot weather and love swimming in cold water. Indulge your pup in carting and some nose work to keep it healthy and active.
But Newfies drool and shed a lot. So, if you are a cleanliness freak, we recommend you opt for some other dog breed. Still want to keep a Newf? Consider using a bib to prevent drooling. Also, brush and comb daily during seasonal shedding.
5. Irish Wolfhound
Closely related to Greyhounds, Irish wolfhounds stand the tallest of all hunting dog breeds. Wolfhounds weigh around 100 pounds on average and are 3 feet tall. If you prefer apartment living, we recommend not keeping Irish wolfhounds, as they require space.
Irish wolfhounds are very independent, having a high prey drive. These pups are intelligent and eager to please, but do not like obeying commands. This characteristic makes them hard to train. That is why you need to be patient and adopt a positive reinforcement approach for training wolfhounds.
Despite their stubborn nature, this dog breed makes a good pet. They do not require much activity or mental stimulation. They need more rest than other hunting dog breeds and like to lay by your feet. Irish wolfhounds are dignified dogs with a gentle and calm demeanor.
Native to Ireland, this breed is an excellent hunter and guardian. According to the American Kennel Club, an Irish king, Cormac mac Airt, had an army of 300 hounds for deer hunting. The ancient kings of Scotland and Northern Britain used them to hunt big game.
However, Irish wolfhounds became an endangered species in Ireland by 1800. In the mid-1800s, Captain George A. Graham, an English army officer, decided to revive the breed. He crossed the remaining Irish wolfhounds with Scottish Deerhounds to preserve the species.
6. Great Dane
Great Danes have been used as companions for centuries and are the best hunting dogs. German nobles have been keeping this breed as personal guardians or for hunting ever since medieval times. You can say that they have always been men’s protectors and loyal friends.
People have been using Great Danes for preying wild boars for centuries. Imagine the power of a canine that hunts a large and powerful boar weighing up to 500 pounds! Yes, just like their name, Great Danes possess great skill, agility, strength, and speed.
Since these dogs were used to hunt large game, they are comfortable working alone. Their independent nature allows them to stay calm and composed even if you are away from them.
They are calm around friends and family members. However, they become timid around new faces if not socialized properly. Great Danes can be easily trained with consistent and positive reinforcement.
Busy pet parents prefer keeping Great Danes because of their low-maintenance routine. These pups need very little exercise. Only gentle walks are enough to avoid the stress building in their joints.
7. American Foxhound
American Foxhounds are sturdy dogs used to hunt foxes. Primarily bred for hunting, this popular breed is muscular having medium coat. They are medium to large in size and can weigh up to 75 pounds.
These athletic dogs are friendly, docile, and affectionate. They are easy-going and good-natured. Plus, they are low-maintenance dogs that need monthly grooming.
American Foxhounds have long legs, soft eyes, and strong bodies. These characteristics make them good sporting dogs and hunters. They have the determination and ability to chase prey over long distances.
This breed requires regular exercise to stay mentally stimulated. We recommend taking your Foxhound for regular walks. Also, engage them in active play sessions to ensure their physical and mental well-being. Otherwise, they will face serious behavioral issues.
However, these energetic dogs are very loud. So, we suggest that if you live in an apartment building, do not keep this breed. Instead, opt for a quiet dog breed for your home. Quiet dogs are also a good choice for homeowners who love peace.
Conclusion
Many independent hunting dog breeds, like the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or German Shorthaired Pointer, are exceptional gun dogs that thrive on purpose and activity. While breeds such as bird dogs or those that retrieve upland birds are low-maintenance in temperament, they still need structured time with their humans. Even a loyal Golden Retriever bred for dog hunting benefits greatly from a consistent bond with their owner.
You can keep many hunting dogs as pets without giving them 24/7 attention and care. However, no pet, including independent dog breeds, deserves to be left alone consistently. Lack of proper care can cause anxiety and behavioral issues among dogs.
So, if you have a dog, make sure to give your dog the daily time, care, and attention required to keep them healthy and calm!
