Dogs and humans have been hunting together since these canine species were domesticated more than a thousand years ago. Dogs are known to the great companions for hunting.
The categories of hunting dogs comprise terriers, sighthounds, scenthounds, gun dogs, cur-type dogs, and dachshunds. Here is the list of dog breeds that are best for hunting.
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Type: Gundog
Labrador Retrievers are known for their energetic, and outgoing personality. They are known to be bird dogs as they help hunters when hunting quail, ducks, and pheasants.
Labrador Retrievers are specially bred for water retrieving and their thick muscular tail, webbed feet, and waterproof coats help them with hunting ducks in water.
Type: Scenthound
Bloodhounds are widely known for their sense of smell. Apart from their nose, these canine species' wrinkly skin helps them trap scents, and droopy and long ears act as scent sweepers.
They were originally bred to hunt wild boar, deer, and rabbits.
Type: Sighthound
Azawakhs are known to be the rare dog breeds from West Africa. These breeds of canines have independent, fierce, reserved, and loyal personalities.
Azawakhs are always alert, have great eyesight, and have incredible speed to catch prey. These canines are good at hunting antelope and boar.
They are also known to be great watchdogs due to the aforementioned features.
Type: Gundog
Golden Retrievers are widely known for their friendly and kind nature, but this canine breed is also versatile hunting dogs.
These furry animals love water, are fast at short and long-distance running, unique sense of smell, and can jump high. They are best at hunting waterbirds.
Type: Setter
Irish Red and White Setters were originally bred to hunt gamebirds. They are known to hunt quail, sand grouse, willow grouse, partridge, and pheasant.
These breeds of setter have their own unique style of pointing and creeping along the ground during the hunt. They are lively, friendly, and spirited in nature.
Type: Scenthound
Bluetick Coonhounds are smart, fun-loving, and affectionate breeds with incredible tracking skills. They are amazing night hunters and also have good eyesight.
Bluetick Coonhounds' long droopy ears help them trap scents and enhance their tracking abilities during hunting. Their muscular body features give them endurance and strength.
They are commonly used as raccoon-hunting dogs.
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Type: Gundog
German Longhaired Pointers were originally bred to flush game for net hunters and falconers. They are calm and affectionate in nature but can be tenacious hunters.
German Longhaired Pointers are known for hunting small animals like rabbits and waterbirds like ducks. They are good at all types of hunting situations such as searching for upland game birds, waterfowl hunting, or retrieving furred game in prairies or woods.
Type: Sighthound
Sloughis were originally bred to hunt animals such as jackals, foxes, hares, wild pigs, and gazelles. They have great speed, endurance, and agility over long distances.
Sloughis have a strong and lean muscular body, a dignified structure, and smooth coats from medium to large size.
Type: Scenthound
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are excellent hunting breeds due to their instincts, strength, and strong sense of smell. In ancient days, this breed was used to hunt lions.
These furry animals are muscular dogs with athletic and balanced build. They are known to be even-tempered, strong-willed and intelligent.
Type: Sighthound
Vizslas begin their hunting from an early age since they are capable of retrieving and pointing before they turn one year old. They can hunt both on land and water.
Vizslas have been hunting everything from geese, pheasants, partridges, and ducks to deer, boars, and rabbits. These breeds' noses and eyes color blend with its reddish-brown coat color making them camouflaged while hunting.
Type: Scenthound/Gundog
Weimaraners are versatile hunting dogs as they possess characteristics such as stamina, speed, a great sense of smell, and excellent eyes. They were bred to be great hunters of waterfowl, upland gamebirds, predators, and big game.
Weimaraners have an athletic and muscular appearance and have hound-like heads with dropped ears.
Type: Scenthound/ Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terriers was bred to hunt foxes, rodents, and badgers. These dogs have large heads, deep muscular chests, short legs, and medium-length wiry coats.
Glen of Imaal Terriers are known to be active, independent, fast, brave, and hardworking in nature.
Type: Gundog
English Springer Spaniels were mainly used flush, meaning they would chase birds so that hunters would then shoot. These furry canines excel as pheasant dogs.
English Springer Spaniels are highly intelligent, social, and playful in nature. Their appearance features medium to long-length coats, dangling ears, docked tails, oval-shaped eyes, and muscular and strong legs.
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Type: Scenthound
Basset Hounds were originally bred to hunt small game mainly rabbits and hares. It is known that they can follow a scent trail for miles.
These breeds' physical appearance is easily recognizable due to their short crooked legs, long floppy ears, droopy faces, wrinkly skin, and short coats.
Type: Scenthound
American Foxhounds have a strong sense of smell and boundless energy. They are bred to hunt foxes by their scent.
The foxhounds are strongly independent, strongly prey-driven, and can be stubborn at times. They have large eyes, slightly doomed skulls, straight muzzles, fox-like feet, and slightly curved tails.
Type: Scenthound/Gundog
Beagles have a keen sense of smell and strong hunting instincts. They are bred to hunt game such as rabbits, bobcats, birds, foxes, and wild boar.
Beagles are loyal, active, and friendly companions as well.
Type: Setter
English Setters hunt games such as pheasant, quail, and grouse. They catch the scent of a bird and let the hunters know their quarry is so that they can flush and catch it by shooting it down or with a net.
They are mischievous, friendly, gentle, and sensible in nature.
Type: Gundog
Lagotto Romangnolos were not only bred for retrieving waterbirds but also for hunting truffles. These canines are intelligent, alert, and lively in nature.
Lagottos' appearance features thick wool-like coats that are tightly curled into ringlets, and square body with long legs.
Type: Gundog
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers were originally bred to hunt waterbirds but are also excellent at hunting land games. They have good endurance and work with ease and efficiency.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are affectionate, loyal, intelligent, and energetic in nature.
Type: Gundog
German Wirehead Pointers not only hunt small game and birds but also track and hunt large animals such as wild boars or foxes. They are athletic, smart, and versatile in nature.
German Wirehead Pointers have coarse and wiry coats with spotted or patchy patterns.
