Many of the active dogs were originally bred for hunting, tracking, and retrieving hunts and kills. Their athletic builds and high energy made them efficient at navigating challenging terrains and hunting for small game.
Now, with a more modern lifestyle, these sporting dogs have adapted to family life and are satisfied with walks, obstacle courses, and other training to let out their energy. They make for great hiking and sports companions and have the stamina and endurance to keep up with you on your outdoor activities.
Word of caution, though! These breeds may be small, but most of them have huge personalities and could be a handful for the inexperienced or lazy dog owner.
Small Sporting Dog Breeds
1. Jack Russell Terrier
These small dogs are a big bundle of dog in a tiny body. They are friendly, lively, and energetic companions at home. The breed is known for its intelligence,
and they will enjoy all outdoor activities. Their huge reserves of energy make them a great company for outdoor activities. They have a strong hunting instinct and can be prone to digging and barking if triggered.
As a matter of fact, WebMD recommends the breed for families that have an active lifestyle, as the dog will be able to keep up with everyone! They are also very fast runners and enjoy racing around after their humans.
Their boundless energy and low maintenance needs make them a great company for camping and other outdoor activities. Their coats require weekly brushing and bathing if they’ve gotten muddy.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This dog is a walking contradiction! It is small enough to be classed as a toy breed and looks regal with its wide eyes and floppy, soft ears.
A King Charles spaniel is, however, athletic enough to be a great sporting dog if its owners are. The breed descends from a line of hunting dogs and still retains some of its hunting instincts.
The dog is easy to maintain and will enjoy moderate exercises as well as a long day in the woods. This makes them a good choice if you are looking for a companion for seasonal activities like trekking and hunting.
While they can keep up with most sporting activities, they are not classified as high energy by the AKC.
3. Small Münsterländer
A crossbreed of hunters and gun dogs, the Small Münsterländer hails from the German hunting fields. The American Kennel Club defines its character traits as a small hunting dog with strong pointer instincts and a strong preference for water.
Their long coats require weekly grooming sessions, and regular baths help maintain coat health. The long hair around the thighs, tail, and legs can require trimming to maintain the natural contours of the dog.
Naturally sporting dogs, their instincts are still strong, and they are good hunting partners as they are agile enough to “retrieve” game from any sort of terrain. Affectionate and intelligent, they adore their families and love to spend time with kids. They can manage to get along with other pets as well.
As hunting dogs, they require extensive exercise and need to be supervised outdoors as they can be prone to chasing after prey like rabbits. Exercise should focus on their natural hunting ability to keep them happy.
4. Kooikerhondje
With a tongue-twister of a name, this is a small hunting dog breed that was initially bred to hunt birds, with their name meaning duck trappers. The breed is still rare, but is remarkably beautiful, with floppy ears that can end in black tips.
The breed makes for a loyal and fun family pet as they enjoy games with their families and are good with both older kids and other pets, provided that they are well-behaved. They will need regular exercise designed around their hunting instincts and natural agility.
Their coats are medium in length and are very soft. They require frequent grooming to remove tangles and to remove dead hair. The breed is a healthy one, with a life expectancy of over 12 years.
5. English Cocker Spaniel
This is another small hunting dog that enjoys both home life and long hunts for woodcocks, which it has been bred to hunt. These dogs have a high prey drive and may not get along with other animals if they have not been socialized and trained as pups.
The English Cocker Spaniel is often described as having a merry temperament. The AKC describes the breed as balanced, both for home as well as hunting. They make for good house companions and are alert and willing hunting companions when outdoors.
Their silky coats require detailed grooming at least weekly, as well as ear cleaning, as they can be infection-prone if they get wet. Their coats need monthly trimmings around the feet, face, neck, and tail area to keep them neat.
6. Bedlington Terrier
These good-looking dogs are more like sheep than terriers thanks to their white, curly coats. Bred as hunting dogs, the Bedlington Terrier loves to chase after small prey like rabbits, squirrels, and even cats if they are not trained as pups.
Indoors, they are playful companions to their families and love to romp around with their humans. Exercise needs are moderate, and should include walks on leashes, as they can run off after other dogs as well as tempting rabbits and other prey.
The breed needs regular grooming to maintain coat health and to prevent matting, which the curly hair is prone to. They will also need regular clipping to maintain the coat’s length.
7. Wire Fox Terrier
The Wire Fox Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds around. Like all terriers, they are alert to new smells and sounds and will bark to alert their owners about new happenings. This small hunting dog was developed to accompany English hunters but has now evolved to enjoy life indoors and is a fun and loyal pet to have.
They will enjoy walks in the woods for their variety of smells and sounds, but will also equally enjoy romps and games with their families. Walks will need to be on a leash, as they can forget all their training and chase after prey on their short legs.
These are small dogs and are easy to maintain, as they don’t shed a lot, and need regular brushing to keep their coats healthy. Training them can be challenging as the breed is intelligent and will not respond well to negative reinforcement.
Conclusion
Sporting dogs are typically high in energy, and many are independent animals with the inbuilt ability to smell, track, and catch prey for their owners. Many of these small hunting dogs need to be kept on a leash during outdoor walks and exercises, as they can chase after their prey and get lost.
For hunters, many of these breeds will be a great help in fetching and carrying small game over difficult grounds. Even if you are not a hunter, any of these breeds will be a great companion for your outdoor activities and will offer a whole lot of laughs and fun!
