Tracking game animals is one of the most important tasks in hunting. You rely on tracking dogs to find the deer or other game first and then follow them if they run away after being shot.
It’s the point where one wrong move can make you lose the game, so having a dog with sharp senses, more olfactory receptors, and a keen nose is crucial.
A hunting dog that can follow scent trails for long distances across bushes and rugged terrain without getting tired. And some breeds are just phenomenal at whatever they do.
While tracking dogs are best at following trails, there are also versatile hunters that can do multiple hunting tasks. They can point upland game, flush, retrieve waterfowl, and even tree game.
We have shared seven hunting dog breeds in this guide with a strong sense of smell. We will also discuss their hunting style and what else they can do to help hunters. You will also learn about their training, exercise, and grooming routines.
Outstanding Dog Breeds for Deer and Game Tracking
1. German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers are energetic, intelligent, and fiercely loyal companions. They are affectionate and deeply devoted. GSPs are also known as ‘bird dogs’ as per PetMD because they were bred to track and retrieve game birds, though they also have versatile hunting ability.
These medium-sized dogs have highly sensitive hearing, relentless prey drive, and impressive physical stamina, which is best for trailing wounded game. These Pointers use their air scenting and ground tracking ability to pick up blood trails. They can also be good for catching waterfowl.
GSPs have very high exercise needs and require 60 to 90 minutes of exercise. They are highly intelligent and eager to please but require experienced owners to manage their independent nature. They have average shedding and a short coat.
2. Basset Hound
Basset Hounds are sweet, calm, and laid-back companions with a charming and slightly stubborn streak. They were bred to track large and small game such as rabbits, hares and deer across dense cover. However, these Hounds have a great nose, heavy skin folds, and long ears that help in tracking.
They are exceptional at ground tracking deer and other game animals. Basset Hounds also do well in tracking trials and therapeutic roles. They were built for endurance, not speed, as the AKC shared, and have moderate exercise needs.
They are famously independent and scent-driven. These Hounds require patient and reward-based training. They do well with families or owners looking for a calm and low-key companion. They have a short coat that sheds year-round moderately.
3. American Foxhound
American Foxhounds are mild-mannered, easygoing, and independent hounds with an affectionate and social heart. They were developed in the U.S. to hunt foxes and track deer across vast rugged terrains. These tracking dogs have great hunting instincts and incredible stamina.
They track game animals through ground scenting and ring bay to alert hunters. American Foxhounds are also good blood trailing dogs and have very high exercise needs. They require around 1-2 hours of physical activity for mental stimulation.
They are moderately challenging to train due to their strong-willed nature and require positive reinforcement. They are best for homeowners and hunters with securely fenced yards. Plus, they have a very low-maintenance short coat that sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing.
4. Redbone Coonhound
Redbone Coonhounds were developed to track and tree raccoons, bear, and deer, so they have innate hunting instincts. These are even-tempered, affectionate, and cheerful dogs with a rich, melodious voice and a gentle indoor presence. These tracking dogs use both air and ground scent trails.
They are also good at water retrieving, hiking, and being good family pets. Redbone Coonhounds have high exercise needs and require about 90 minutes of daily physical activity. These Coonhounds also have very short attention spans and require active owners.
These medium to large hounds respond well to consistent and reward-based positive reinforcement. They have a short, smooth, and coarse coat that moderately sheds and is very low maintenance. Redbone Coonhounds require weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush.
5. Bluetick Coonhound
Bluetick Coonhounds are famous for their blue ticked or blue ticked and tan patterns. But the most amazing thing is they are typically born white, and the patches develop later in life, as Purina also described. These dogs are courageous, intelligent, and super affectionate when at home.
They were bred as hunting dogs to track and tree elusive game, so they inherit intense trailing and treeing instincts. They are also known for their cold nose, so Blueticks are great at blood tracking of wounded deer even if it’s days old. They usually bay to alert hunters to the target.
They have high exercise needs and require 60-90 minutes of activity. Blueticks are eager to work, but their strong and stubborn nature requires consistent training. These large dogs have an average-shedding short coat that requires weekly brushing.
6. Bloodhound
Bloodhounds deserve to be on TOP of the list whenever it’s about tracking. They have about 220 million olfactory receptors, and their results can even be submitted as evidence in court. That’s the power of the Bloodhound’s nose, so it’s no wonder they are BEST at tracking deer and other animals.
Their loose skin, facial wrinkles, and drooping ears sweep scent particles directly toward the nose. They are masters of the cold nose and can detect trail blood that other dogs might not catch. Bloodhounds are good tracking dogs, but they also serve as search and rescue dogs.
They require around 45-60 minutes of daily exercise. Bloodhounds are moderately challenging and famously independent. They require patient and positive reinforcement training so they don’t follow every trail. They have a short coat, but their wrinkles require regular cleaning.
7. Brittany Spaniel
Brittany Spaniels are hyper-alert and deeply affectionate companions. They were bred in the Brittany province of France as all-around gundogs for French poachers and peasants. They possess strong and natural pointing, tracking, and retrieving skills.
These medium-sized dogs track primarily through air and ground scenting abilities. They move at a fast pace that allows them to pinpoint scent trails and hold game tightly until the hunter arrives. These Spaniels have very high exercise needs and require intense activity.
Their intelligence and eager-to-please nature make training easier, but they are also sensitive with high prey drive. So train them by being gentle and patient. Brittany Spaniels have a dense, flat or wavy coat with light feathering that moderately sheds but requires weekly brushing.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned seven dogs are perfect for tracking small game or large ones. They work best for finding rabbits, hares, deer, beagles, ducks, and many other animals.
Some of them are all-around hunters, so they can track on land, in water, in woods, and in forests. Make sure to read the details carefully before choosing one, as they differ quite a lot.
