Dog and Cat Articles

Some dog breeds are quite useful in the role of a hunting dog.  Dogs are smart and have a natural hunting instinct that makes them good companions for a hunter.

There are specific breeds that are bred and trained for nothing else but hunting.  Dogs like hounds, gundogs and terriers are the most recognized breeds. Many hunters consider a dog just as much of a necessity to their hunting as their shotgun!

When it comes to tracking and chasing down game there is no better hunter than the hound.  Sighthounds use their keen eyesight and speed to follow, catch and kill game like deer, gazelle and hare.  The Whippet is a popular sighthound used.  Scent hounds, like the Basset Hound, are a different type of dog than the sighthound.  They are usually slow but possess incredible endurance and a heightened sense of smell that allows them to follow prey for a long distance from their scent alone.

Gundogs are usually specialized in bird hunting.  Retrievers can remember exactly where prey fall and return it to the hunter unmarked thanks to the dog’s soft mouth.  Labrador and Golden retrievers are the most popular for this purpose.  You can get these dogs as a pups with no training, younger dogs with some early fundamental training, or finished Field Trial Dogs who can hunt upland game birds, and compete in local, regional and national field trials.

Pointers and Setters use their bodies to point to the general direction of the prey and sit down when they have pinpointed exactly where the prey is.  This gives the hunter a location to fire and score their game just from observing the behavior of the dog.

The Terrier is a well respected and is bred for hunting and killing vermin.  This breed is hyperactive with an energetic no fear attitude.  Terriers hunt prey like rats, rabbits and foxes, above ground and below ground.  Beagles are especially efficient for rabbit hunting.

Just remember that hunting dogs, despite being so smart and useful, still need the attention, love, care and positive reinforcement of any other dog.  The more time and training you put into your dog, the more their innate ability to hunt is fostered and cultivated.  A good dog is not only there to enhance your game hunting but it’s also there to be a friend and companion as well.