While hunting, a dog can be a helpful companion. Studies show that dogs have accompanied humans on hunting expeditions for thousands of years. Their resilience, acute hearing, and sense of smell make them worthy hunting partners. Not all dogs are reliable hunting partners. Hunters must be careful when selecting a hunting partner, choosing one out of the bunch of breeds better suited for this purpose.
The dogs who make efficient hunting partners fall under two categories: scent hounds and gun dogs. Scent hounds follow a prey's trail with their powerful sniffers. They are excellent at tracking and locating games. Even when the dog is out of sight, their loud calls guide the hunter in the right direction. Some are "treeing" dogs that would pursue the prey to the tree's base, trap it there till the hunter shows up.
The gun dogs, also called bird dogs, can hunt smaller animals like birds and rabbits. They find prey and lure them out to sight where the hunter can get a good shot. Sometimes they collect the catch after it has been shot.
One of the most popular and beloved dog breeds, Labrador retrievers are effective gun dogs. They are intelligent, eager to serve, jolly, diligent, and relentless. As puppies, they are also easy to train. Labrador retrievers can tolerate cold temperatures and swim easily across cold water with a sturdy and water-resistant double coat, making them an excellent company for duck hunting.
The American Foxhound dogs are formidable scent hound dogs. Determined to some and stubborn to others, the iconic breed has enviable stamina and impressive running skills, making them worthy hunting partners. They can run for hours, only stopping when they have caught the prey or lost its scent. But if the American Foxhound catches its prey, it decapitates it almost immediately. Judging by the name, the original purpose of the American Foxhound was to hunt foxes. But in modern times, they mostly hunt deers.
Bluetick Hounds are excellent block-headed and big-eared scent dogs. With roots reaching back to the English foxhound and the French bleu de Gascogne, Bluetick Hounds can take on cougars and mountain lions. They have the strength and stamina to go after dangerous animals. When they "tree" and trap prey, they howl until the hunter arrives. They howl even when they are not pursuing any game.
Boykin Spaniel dogs are excellent hunters of turkey and duck. Determined and armed with a generous amount of focus, they flush out and retrieve prey at an impressive rate. They originated from South Carolina in the 1900s. They accompanied turkey hunters who plied swamps in small boats. Today, the Boykin Spaniel can navigate heavy brush and wetlands, catching quails, marsh hens, and woodcocks.
Many consider the Beagles breed of dogs to be America's iconic hunting dog breed. They are the choice breed for rabbit hunting. For nearly two centuries, Beagles have hunted small game and continue to maintain their proficiency at the sport. Their acute sense of smell causes them to detect their prey easily.
The German Wirehaired Pointer, natively called Deutsch Drahthaar, has been a superior gun dog in Germany since the 20th century. They are beloved by hunters because of their versatility and ability to track a wide array of games on both land and water. Although they have a generally calm temperament, they are remarkable hunting partners with their powerful nose, strong coat, and impressive tracking skills.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks originated from South Africa and primarily served their owners by keeping lions at bay. The Rhodesian Ridgebacks are famous for their courage and fierceness. They can tackle and kill animals like baboons and wild pigs without any help from their owner.
