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10 Dog Breeds That Make The Best Hunting Companions

Tags: Best Hunting DogsUpdated on Sep 16, 2022

Dogs have been a part of human life for thousands of years. While we may have first domesticated dogs to assist in herding and guarding, it's believed that humans and dogs have been hunting together since the beginning of canine domestication, long before the age of agriculture. A good hunting dog should possess several skills—a strong prey drive, receptiveness to training, endurance, and athleticism.

Breed Characteristics

In general, scent hounds or gun dogs are the most commonly used hunting dogs. The type of hunting you plan to do should determine which breed of dog you choose.

Scent hounds run after their prey with their noses, making a lot of noise while they pursue it. Their vocalizations let hunters know where the dogs are even when they can't see them. Some scent hounds concentrate on hunting prey. Others are "treeing" dogs that chase the prey up a tree and wait at the base until hunters arrive.

Gun dogs - also called bird dogs because their prey is primarily birds - sometimes hunt small animals such as rabbits. These dogs locate the prey for the hunter and flush it out of hiding so the hunter can shoot. They usually retrieve the quarry for the hunter once it has been shot.

These are 10 breeds of dogs that make excellent hunting companions.

1. Labrador Retriever (Ducks)
2. Golden Retriever (Pheasants, Birds)
3. Beagle (Rabbits)
4. American Foxhound (Deers, Foxes)
5. English Springer Spaniel (Pheasants)
6. Pointer (Quail)
7. Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Sea Duck)
8. Treeing Walker Hound (Coons)
9. English Setter (Grouse)
10. Irish Setter (Birds)

Tip

Instinct and training do matter when it comes to making a good hunting dog, but the closer the bond with your dog, the better hunting partner that dog will be.

1Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever

Best For Hunting: Ducks

Labradors are the most popular dogs for waterfowl hunting. They can swim through cold water and hunt in cold temperatures, making them a great choice for duck hunters. When not hunting, these dogs make excellent companions and family pets.

Labradors mature faster than other dogs, allowing them to learn commands and perform tasks at a younger age. They can handle long-distance training with hand signals, as well as the complex concepts involved in field trials.

2Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever

Best For Hunting: Pheasants, Birds

The Golden Retriever was created as a versatile hunting dog, able to retrieve game on land or in the water, and excelled in cool-weather upland bird hunting for pheasants, chukars, grouse, etc. His excellent nose found birds that other dogs missed.

These dogs are easy to train and tend to be very fast and attentive. They also do not seem to notice gunfire, making them great companions for hunting during both rifle and bow hunting seasons.

3Beagle

Beagle

Best For Hunting: Rabbits

The tri-colored Beagle, a small, energetic dog known for its ability to hunt small game, has been popular for two hundred years. A scent hound, they have one of the best noses in the breed - the Bloodhound is the undisputed leader of the pack when it comes to scent, with Basset Hounds and Beagles following as close runners-up. That supreme scenting ability combined with speed and agility makes the beagle a top choice for rabbits; Their tendency to bark ensures you never lose track of their whereabouts.

Beagles are even-tempered, friendly dogs that make good family pets. They don’t need a large house or yard, so even suburban hunters can have a beagle.

4American Foxhound

American Foxhound

Best For Hunting: Deers, Foxes

American Foxhounds are intelligent and friendly scent hounds that make loyal companions. The breed was developed in the United States from English Foxhounds to suit local conditions. These dogs love to chase the game and are excellent deer hunters, but they do need a lot of exercises each day to keep them happy and healthy.

Foxhounds, unlike some other scent hounds, are running hounds, not treeing hounds. They love the chase more than the end result of the hunt.

5English Springer Spaniel

English Springer Spaniel

Best For Hunting: Pheasants

The most important qualities of the English Springer Spaniel, according to experienced hunters, are its nose and stamina.

The English springer spaniel is an excellent bird dog, especially good at flushing out and chasing pheasants. It has retrieving skills that can match those of the Labrador and golden retriever, plus a slightly smaller size that makes it better suited to navigate smaller spaces on the hunt. When not at work, this dog makes an excellent family pet.

6Pointer

Pointer

Best For Hunting: Quail

The Pointer, or English Pointer, is a bird dog with a high prey drive and a determined spirit. The breed will pursue prey such as quail and pheasants with vigor. Plus, the pointer is fairly heat-tolerant and therefore suited for hunting in warmer climates. Whether on the hunt or on the couch, it makes a loyal companion.

Pointers are known for being aloof and independent, but those that are socialized with the family from an early age can become very affectionate pets. This is a very energetic breed that needs exercise. Their notable intelligence can make them stubborn and mischievous.

7Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Best For Hunting: Sea Duck

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the only retriever breed native to the United States. These dogs were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl shot with punt guns on Chesapeake Bay Retriever, where they served as faithful hunting companions.

They are as determined as they are intelligent, making Chesapeake Bay Retrievers perfectly suited for the challenging task of hunting sea ducks.

8Treeing Walker Hound

Treeing Walker Hound

Best For Hunting: Coons

The Walker hound is one of the best all-around hunting dogs, prized for its great nose, prey drive, speed, voice, and ability to chase down everything from cougars, bears, and coyotes to raccoons, squirrels, and deer. Coon hunting is one challenge of hounding that requires a dog with intelligence and endurance, which makes Walker dogs perfect for this role.

These dogs are more likely to be active and energetic than some other hounds, including the bluetick coonhound. They can make good competitors in hunting competitions and perform well on “quick” hunts; those where you track an animal for a short time across a few counties.

9English Setter

English Setter

Best For Hunting: Grouse

English Setters' keen sense of smell and ability to handle a wide range of terrain make them ideal for hunting ruffed grouse. The English Setter combines a cheery search with a fine point, heralded by a feathered tail pointing straight out, or at twelve o'clock. They are graceful and agile and remarkably adaptable to their hunter's pace. With their heads held high and long lissome necks, their posture characterizes their airy scent.

English setters are playful, sweet dogs that are great with children and strangers alike. Since the breed does not make a good kennel dog, you should provide it with plenty of exercise and attention.

10Irish Setter

Irish Setter

Best For Hunting: Birds

The Irish Setter is a handsome breed of dog that can be used as an all-around hunting dog, but it is especially adept at hunting game birds. With its super speed and superior sense of smell, the Irish Setter is skilled at tracking, hunting, retrieving, and pointing.

Irish setters are friendly, affectionate, and gentle dogs that make great companions for families. But they need lots of exercise to keep them happy.

The Bottom Line

Training a puppy to be a hunting dog requires that you get them used to the sound of a gun, teach them how to wait and retrieve, sharpen their nose to the smell of game, and more. Many people (including professional hunters) train their dogs on their own, but some turn to specialized facilities for help.