22 Best Hunting Dogs To Join You in the Field
Hunting is more fun with a dog. If you like to hunt and want a four legged friend, some puppies are better fits for the job than others. Here is what you need to know about the best dogs for hitting trips.
Types of Hunting Dogs
There are many kinds of hunting dogs, and each one was bred to do a certain job, like catching a certain animal or moving around on certain terrain. Many people in the U.S. like to hunt with bird dogs, hounds, curries, and terriers.
Bird Dogs
- Bird dogs, also called gun dogs, go hunting with people. They can be divided into three groups: pointers, flushers, and retrievers.
- Pointers use their helmets to “point” towards possible prey.
- Flushers make the birds fly, which lets shooters target them.
- Retrievers get the animal and bring it back to the attacker.
Hounds
- Although bird dogs work closely with hunters and shooters, hounds hunt for their owners. You can put these dogs into groups based on how they find their prey:
- Sight dogs can see very well and run very fast for short periods.
- Breeders train scent dogs to follow their prey for hours and long distances.
Curs
- Curs were the right-hand dogs of early settlers in the United States. They were often used to trap raccoons in trees so that their owners might capture them, a practice known as “treeing” food.
Terriers
The word “terrier” comes from the word “of the earth.” The name fits because these dogs were bred to hunt small game, such as foxes, rats, and mice, that live underground.
Labrador Retrievers are bird dogs that have long been used for work in the water. They have a thick double coat that keeps them cozy, and their tail helps them steer in the water. As the name says, these dogs are very good at taking things back.
1. Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are bird dogs that have also been used for work in the water for a long time. They have a thick double coat that keeps them warm, and their tail helps them steer in the water. As the name says, these dogs are very good at retrieving things.
2. Golden Retriever
Because they are so happy, golden retrievers are one of the most famous dogs in the U.S. They are also very good at catching ducks and other animals. The golden retriever is one of the best hunting dogs because it is intelligent and simple to train.
3. Pointer dog breeds
The English Pointer is another name for this dog. It was only ever meant to do one thing: hunt birds. They are smart, quick, and always happy to be outside with their owners, whether shooting, hiking, or just walking around the neighborhood.
4. Pudelpointer
A German bird dog breed called the Pudelpointer is a mix of the Poodle and the Pointer. The first people who bred these dogs wanted to make a smart dog that loved the water, had a strong sense for retrieving things, and was eager to please .These are also concidered for best hunting dogs.
5. Bloodhound
Bloodhounds are great scent hunters and have a famous sense of smell. They can follow a scent up to 130 miles! Hunters can trust these dogs to go after their game almost anywhere because they are powerful, driven, and focused. But that great smell could get them into trouble. When you take your Bloodhound outside, ensure they are in a fenced-in area or on a leash.
6. English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel gets its name because it can “spring” animals out of hiding. English Springer Spaniels are known for being strong and able to handle a lot, but they are also very eager to please, making positive reward training easy.
7. Beagle
With its floppy ears, the Beagle is a popular family dog that is also great at hunting. These friendly and social dogs do best when they hunt rabbits and birds as a pack, but they can be happy in any busy family.
8. English Setter
The English Setter is a tough-looking bird dog that is also very good at tracking. These dogs were bred to “set” quietly for a long time when they saw game eggs in tall grass. Known for as best hunting dogs .
9. Brittany
The Brittany, which used to be called the Brittany Spaniel, is a beautiful orangeand white dog that is friendly and sweet and very fast in the field. Brittany dogs were originally bred to hunt in France. They are great at pointing and recovering games.
10. American Foxhound
What do you think the American Foxhound was created to hunt? This scent dog is quick and quick on their feet. In the past, hunters in the southern U.S. liked this dog breed, but now it is one of the rarest dog types.
11. Mountain Cur
Americans liked the Mountain Cur in the early days. One story says that Daniel Boone had a pack of these dogs. These dogs are very persistent and naturally “tree” their prey. They can cover a lot of ground on the hunt.
12. Boykin Spaniel
Boykin Spaniels are the state dog of South Carolina. Their webbed paws and love of swimming make them great hunters in wet areas. These dogs were bred to hunt ducks and geese
13. Plott Hound
The Plott Hound was a confident and driven dog used to hunt big game like bears and boars. Although Plotts aren’t looking for mountain lions anymore, they still love being outside and need to exercise regularly to be happy.
14. German Shorthaired Pointer
The GSP, or German Shorthaired Pointer, is a sporty bird dog breed. They also make good family dogs as long as you can keep up with their fast pace. GSPs need to be active and mentally stimulated every day, so they do best with an active family that will keep them busy.
15. German Wirehaired Pointer
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a rough coated hunting dog with a nice, scratchy beard. The German Shorthaired Pointer has a short, smooth coat. This double coat protects them from water, thorns, and cold weather.
16. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Because the water in the Chesapeake Bay is so cold, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was bred to be the best duck shooter. These bird dogs have a double coat that is thick and slippery to keep them warm, and their webbed paws help them swim.
17. Cocker Spaniel
These dogs are called Cocker Spaniels because they like to hunt woodcocks. When these skilled bird dogs hunt, they use their strong sense of smell to find birds and scare them away. Cockers are great hunters, but most people keep them at home and let them lounge on their laps.
18. Black and Tan Coonhound
Black and Tan Coonhounds have existed since the first settlers in the United States. They are calm at home but determined when they are following a smell. Because they have a strong nose, this hunting dog can become focused on something interesting when they smell it. For this reason, it’s important to teach them to come back inside and keep them in a fenced-in yard.
19. Redbone Coonhound
Like many other coonhounds, the Redbone Coonhound comes from the early days of the United States. They liked to hunt raccoons, and the dogs were bred to be able to go through all kinds of landscapes with their hunter.
20. Irish Setter
The sweet Irish Setter is likely best known for its beautiful red hair but is also a good hunter. These dogs set down on their bellies to show they’ve found food, just like English Setters do. Irish Settlers need much love and time with their people when they’re not hunting.
21.Flat-Coated Retriever
Flat-Coated Retrievers are lively hunters who love catching fish. They are known for having smooth, shiny coats. People love these dogs because they are always joyful and full of energy. They make great pets and field companions. They are great at recovering waterfowl because they can swim well and have webbed paws.
22.Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
If you want to get ducks closer to the hunter’s blind, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the dog to get them. Waterfowl are interested in these retrievers because they move around like they’re having fun. When the ducks get close, they start retrieving them because they are small, quick, and great at getting around swampy areas.
Safety Tips for Hunting With Dogs
To protect their dogs, shooters should always be ready and ensure they stay safe.
Get your dog used to being around gunshots.
Wear a bright vest for your dog so that they can be seen.
Make sure that your dog has an ID tag and a microchip.
Vaccinate and keep your dog up to date on bug and tick medicine.
Ensure you bring enough food, drink, and first aid items to your dog.
You and your hunting dog will be ready for a fun day out if you train and get ready.
Advanced Training
After your dog has learned the basics, it’s time to train him in more complex ways. These skills will help your dog become a well-rounded duck hunter:
Using shades and learning how to whistle. Use hand signs or a whistle to teach your dog to follow directions. Start with small distances, making them more difficult as they get used to it.
To be exact, use whistle instructions. Whistle training helps you keep your dog under control from far away. First, use simple whistle commands that are the same as spoken commands. For more difficult jobs, combine whistle commands with hand signals.
Get used to being distracted. You can help your dog stay focused on catching by practicing with other dogs or toys nearby. Dogs train in different places to prepare for real shooting situations.
Getting good at steady catches. Show your dog how to wait for the word “fetch.” This teaches them patience and keeps them from jumping too soon, making the hunt more controllable.
Make sure that your workouts are regular and fun. Practice a few times weekly, but only 10 to 15 minutes. Take breaks to play with your dog and praise small successes to keep him inspired and eager to learn.
FAQs of this article
Conclusion best hunting dogs
Shooters have depended on their hunting dogs for unmatched skill, loyalty, and energy for many years. When finding animals in thick forests, getting birds out of the water, or chasing small animals, these specific breeds are the best at what they do. There are many hunting dogs, such as the water-loving Labrador Retriever, the lively Brittany, and the hard-working German Shorthaired Pointer.
If you train, care for, and monitor their health, they will do their best work and stay safe. When used properly and as a team, hunting dogs make the experience more efficient and enjoyable. If you want a trusted hunting partner, getting one of these amazing dogs and training will make your trips more fun.
