If you’re an avid hunter, you may have been toying with the idea of adopting or raising a couple of companions to take with you. In this article, we’re going to look at 24 of the best hunting dogs for various types of game.
By the time you finish reading it, you’re sure to have an idea of which one will best suit both your needs, and your personality.
Hunting dogs are great for a number of different reasons, and different breeds will suit different hunting types as well as personal needs.
For example, some breeds make excellent companions if you’re doing some relaxed hunting up at the cabin by yourself, while others are fierce protectors and guardians if you’re hunting larger, potentially dangerous game.
Best Hunting Dogs
When you’re looking for your ideal hunting dogs, you should take several factors into account, such as:
- Personality type—both yours and theirs: Some breeds are much more affectionate than others. If you’re a snuggler who wants a “best friend” dog to cuddle with, then retrievers will suit you far better than wolfhounds.
- Hunting type: Are you aiming for a dog that will help you seek out and chase down small game? Or head out into the lake to retrieve waterfowl that you’ve shot down? Will you be hunting from a blind, or on horseback? All of these details will factor into the types of hunting dogs that are best for you.
- Accommodations: Will you be keeping your dogs in your own home, or kenneled in an outbuilding? This is important because large breeds
1. Karelian Bear Dog
If you’re primarily hunting big game such as deer, elk, moose, wild boar, or even bear, then consider a Karelian bear dog. This Finnish breed is used by woodland rangers to control large game and is invaluable as a hardworking hunting dog.
Don’t choose this breed if you’re looking for a family dog. They’re incredibly loyal companions for solitary hunters (or couples), but are dangerous to have around small children or other pets.
Since they’re both territorial and have an intense hunting instinct, they’re aggressive toward anything they see as potential prey.
2. Irish Wolfhound
Wolfhounds have been treasured as hunting dogs by royalty for thousands of years. These “gentle giants” can grow quite huge, and can easily take down elk or deer. That said, they aren’t particularly obedient dogs, and will take off after prey whether you want them to or not.
Although they’re wonderful, affectionate companions, wolfhounds tend to suffer from a litany of health issues. They’re incredibly prone to both hip dysplasia and bone cancer (osteosarcoma), and generally only live between six and nine years.
3. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Considering that this breed is known as the “African Lion Hound,” you can get an idea of how capable they are at taking down large prey. As hunting dogs, ridgebacks have tremendous endurance and can both flush out and take down large game. They’re also fiercely loyal and loving dogs and make excellent companions for any hunter.
Note that these dogs are also affectionate and playful with children but aren’t necessarily great around toddlers. If your kids are school-aged or older, then you’re good to go.
4. Black-and-Tan Coonhound
I had a black-and-tan coonhound as a companion when I was growing up, and they certainly live up to their name.
This American breed was created in the 1800s by crossing Bloodhounds and Black and Tan Virginia Foxhounds, resulting in a strong, capable breed with an extraordinary sense of smell. They’re often used for night hunts (primarily raccoons and opossums), but are just as proficient for fowl and larger game like deer.
Coonhounds are also excellent family dogs. They make great pets and home guardians. They’re careful with children and other animals and are playful and affectionate with their family members.
Just be aware that they’re also quite independent and are likely to take off howling after a squirrel if they feel like doing so, and may not return immediately when called.
5. Bloodhound
If you’re more interested in hunting dogs for tracking game than to run it down, you may wish to consider joining the “bloodhound gang” (I’m so sorry, really.)
These dogs were treasured by Medieval nobility for their keen sense of smell, which proved invaluable for flushing out prey on royal hunts. Furthermore, their incredible olfactory senses have led to their being used by law enforcement for forensic and missing person work.
Their pack-loving nature makes them great with other dogs, as well as other animals, and children of all ages. They can’t be trusted off-leash, however, as they can (and will) take off after squirrels, raccoons, or whatever else catches their interest.
6. Norwegian Elkhound
Another breed that’s amazing at both taking down and holding large game is the Norwegian elkhound. If you’re keen on hunting elk, deer, caribou, moose, etc., then consider this breed as an invaluable companion.
Additionally, elkhounds absolutely excel as homestead guardians. They’re strong and fierce, and not easily intimidated by predators such as wolves or big cats. That said, their ferocity is reserved for interlopers.
They’re gentle and affectionate with children and incredibly loyal to their owners.
7. English Pointer
Although English Pointer dogs are also great for hunting birds and other small game, they’re spectacular for hunting truffles. As such, if you’re just as interested in these tasty tuberous fungi as you are in gunning down wild game, consider these amazing pups.
That said, they’re also ideal for sniffing out grouse and pheasants and then holding a “pointing” stance so you know where the game is hiding in amongst foliage or bracken.
These dogs are also very gentle and affectionate and are known for being wonderful with kids.
8. German Wirehaired Pointer
Much like English pointers, German wirehaired dogs also excel at flushing out or pointing at game.
They have a keen sense of smell, and their wiry coats allow them to thrive in just about any outdoor environment. Additionally, their devotion to their family “pack” means that they won’t venture far and will return quickly when called.
These dogs also make excellent family companions but aren’t ideal for small children unless they’re well trained. That said, they’re also great for search-and-rescue operations due to their intelligence and keen sense of smell, making them great companions for park rangers.
9. Weimaraner
Weimaraners are also excellent truffle hunters, especially if you live in a temperate climate. They don’t love extreme weather, and will need foul weather coats if taken out for hunts when it’s cold.
Just don’t think that they’re overly precious: they’re also large, highly energetic, brave dogs that have been used for years to hunt deer, boar, and bear.
Additionally, these dogs make great companions and are affectionate and loyal to their people. They’re good with children, but due to their high prey drive, can be aggressive towards other dogs and smaller animals unless they’re raised with them. As such, aim to either raise two pups together or keep them as solitary pets.
10. Azawakh
If you’re looking for rare hunting dog breeds and you live in a fairly warm, dry climate, consider the Azawakh.
They’ve been used as hunting dogs by the Saharan Tuareg people for millennia, and their incredible speed is invaluable for hunting fast prey such as wild boar or antelope (which would translate well to deer and hares, too).
These dogs are affectionate and loyal towards their families and aloof and wary of strangers. This makes them ideal watchdogs and guardians, including children and domestic animals they’ve been taught to see as part of their “pack.”
11. Portuguese Water Dog
If you’re an avid waterfowl hunter, then this is one of the best hunting dogs to consider. Not only are Portuguese water dogs incredibly intelligent, their coats are actually water-resistant, and they generally love to swim.
As such, they’re ideally suited to heading into the water to retrieve downed ducks and geese.
These dogs are also great with kids and are both tolerant of and inclined towards rough-and-tumble behavior.
12. Golden Retriever
Most people who have met golden retrievers have fallen in love with this gentle, affectionate breed. Their sweet natures make them amazing companion dogs—great with children as well as other pets—and they also excel at, well, retrieving.
Retrievers use their mouths very gently to retrieve downed waterfowl such as geese and ducks without damaging them, and their keen sense of smell ensures that they can seek out whatever it is you’re looking for.
Just don’t choose golden retrievers as hunting dogs if you’re aiming to chase down large game. These derpy sweethearts will be more likely to make friends with your prey than hunt them down, and then you’ll have to knit sweaters for both them and their antlered friends to wear around the house.
13. Labrador Retriever
These Canadian hunting dogs are absolutely treasured for their ability to flush game as well as retrieve downed prey from watery locations. In fact, Labrador retrievers are often happiest when playing in watery muck, so be sure to keep several towels in the trunk if you choose this breed.
In addition to being great at retrieving kills, these dogs are some of the best companions and family dogs you could possibly choose. They’re loving, playful, affectionate dogs who are as happy cuddling on the couch as bounding around in the woods.
Just be aware that purebred bleeds often suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, which can reduce their quality of life quite early as well as rack up significant vet bills.
14. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
As far as hard-working hunting dogs go, this is a well-rounded, all-purpose breed that’s as invaluable as a companion as it is for hunting. They’re strong, powerful dogs with tremendous endurance, and as such, are great for all-season hunting excursions.
Their thick coats allow them to handle cold weather (and cold water) retrieval better than many other breeds.
15. Irish Setter
These beautiful dogs, with their lustrous red fur and big smiles, are ideal for bird hunting. They can flush out game such as partridge, grouse, ducks, and geese, and are as great at pointing at downed targets as they are at gently bringing them back to you.
Their friendly, affectionate natures make them wonderful family dogs. Although they can be a bit too energetic and boisterous for small children, they’re ideal for kids aged five and up.
Just note that they’re prone to separation anxiety and need a lot of exercise when they aren’t out hunting with you.
16. Brittany Spaniel
This is another breed that’s excellent for flushing, pointing, and retrieving birds such as wildfowl. They also enthusiastically flush game like turkeys, though they can get a little too much into this “game” and be a bit stubborn about coming back when called.
Additionally, many Brittany spaniels enjoy swimming and can thus be trusted to retrieve birds shot down over small bodies of water.
In addition, these spaniels make spectacular family pets as they’re kind, gentle, affectionate, and incredibly loyal. They’re fiercely intelligent and thus easy to train, and love a good cuddle as much as they love bounding around after pheasants.
17. English Springer Spaniel
If you live in a fairly warm or temperate climate and you’re keen on hunting fowl and small game, then you may want to consider English Springer spaniels.
These adorable white and liver-colored hunting dogs are magnificent for flushing out grouse, turkey, pheasant, and other small birds, and will gleefully finish off maimed prey before returning it to you, grinning and tail-wagging
While Springer spaniels are wonderful home companions and absolutely perfect with children, they aren’t great at all-season hunting.
They have fairly thin coats and can take chills easily, so they can only stay outdoors for prolonged periods of time between mid-spring and early autumn. If you’re planning to do a lot of late autumn and winter hunting, a breed with a thicker coat would be a better option.
Additionally, this breed is known for intense separation anxiety. Be sure to have at least two of these dogs so they have companionship with one another, and try not to be away from home (or your pup) for too long. Otherwise, you’ll come home to find the house in tatters.
18. Cocker Spaniel
Did you know that this breed was named for the woodcock birds that it was bred to flush out? As such, Cocker spaniels are perfectly suited to sniffing out and flushing all manner of game birds.
They also retrieve quite well and provided that the downed game isn’t in terribly deep water, you can count on your little spaniel to paddle around happily and bring it back to you unharmed.
19. Boykin Spaniel
These hunting dogs are occasionally affectionately referred to as “pocket Labs” as their personalities and skills are similar to Labrador retrievers, but they’re about half the size of that breed.
Boykin spaniels are spectacular for flushing out quail and grouse and are adept swimmers who are great at retrieving downed waterfowl.
They also have sweet, gentle temperaments, which makes them great companions and family dogs as well.
20. Beagle
Beagles aren’t “stealth” hunting dogs by any means: they’re big on baying, and will howl in excitement when they pick up the scent of a hare, pheasant, deer, or whatever else you’re tracking.
That scent obsession is where they excel, as their keen noses allow them to pick up a trail and stick to it no matter what. While they’re too small to help you take down large prey, they’ll certainly be able to lead you to it with their happy baying, even if you lose sight of them in the woods.
Note that the same gentle, loyal, forgiving nature that made beagles “ideal” lab test subjects also makes them invaluable family companions. They’re incredibly patient and gentle with children and are affectionate with their family members.
21. American Pitbull Terrier
This misunderstood breed is often called a “bully” when, in fact, it can be a fiercely loyal, affectionate, and trustworthy companion. When it comes to hunting, the pitbull’s stocky build and intensely strong jaws come in handy for catching and holding one specific type of prey: wild boar.
Pitbulls aren’t great trackers, nor are they particularly fast. Their strength lies in their ability to latch onto prey and hold it until their person can come and dispatch it.
22. Jack Russell Terrier
At first glance, these bouncy little weirdos may not seem like ideal hunting dogs, but that assumption would be incorrect. They’re small but fierce and were bred specifically as hunting companions. These dogs are fearless and unbelievably energetic and excel at digging into burrows and flushing out smaller game.
Just be aware that their prey drive is extremely high, so they aren’t great with small children, nor in households with small animals like cats, rabbits, Guinea pigs, etc.
That said, if you’re looking for a dog that can keep your homestead free of mice and rats, in addition to helping you hunt, then this might be the right dog for you.
23. Welsh Corgi
Although these little dogs were bred to herd cattle, they’re also fiercely protective homestead dogs ideal for protecting poultry and fowl. They’ve often been used to hunt game birds such as pheasants, partridge, and grouse, as well as hares and other small mammals.
When they aren’t hunting with you, let them run around the homestead to eliminate rats, mice, and moles.
They’re as sweet, affectionate, and playful as they are loyal and protective, and are excellent home companions and guardians as well as adept hunting dogs.
24. Dachshund
When and if you see these diminutive, short-legged “wiener dogs”, you may not think of a fierce and powerful hunter. After all, many people carry them around in purses and dress them up in little outfits. That said, Dachshunds were originally bred to help hunt hares, badgers, foxes, wild boar, and various game birds.
These dogs have a keen sense of smell, a rather powerful prey drive, and are small enough to get into burrows and warrens that other hunting dogs can’t.
If you’re a small game hunter and you’d like a dog that’s a sweet companion as well as a devoted hunting assistant, consider getting a couple of these sweethearts.
