Pampered Dog Blog

There are many unique breeds that make outstanding hunting dogs, but not all are classified exclusively as hunting dogs.  For example: hounds hunt small prey such as jackrabbits, raccoons, and other animals that make their homes in thickets and underbrush.  Not each and every hound hunts exclusively with scent, as some use their well-developed eyesight too (sight hounds).

Gun dogs are another common category of hunting dog.  Remember, not all hunting dogs are gun dogs.  Gun dogs are primarily used by hunters who hunt with shotguns, mainly those hunting for various types of fowl.  They encompass retrievers, pointers, setters, and spaniels usually.   Terriers and feists are also types of gun dogs and have been known to squeeze into rabbit holes and other hideouts to chase out game.  Curs are larger hunting dogs and are able to hunt bigger game, such as cougars.
There are numerous diverse breeds of gun dogs.  They are outstanding dogs when you are in the hunt for those to retrieve or even chase game.  Each breed has unique abilities and personalities.  A brief breakdown of these abilities and personalities:

Retrievers

Retrievers make excellent family pets and hunting dogs for a variety of reasons.  They enjoy swimming, and can retrieve birds that have been shot and landed in water.  They will have no trouble bringing back fowl, whether on land or in the water.  Retrievers learn the popular command “fetch” easier than most other dogs, as it is literally in their blood to retrieve items.

Spaniels

A few spaniels enjoy water, but their ability lies in finding game that hides in thick cover.  They are like retrievers in that they then bring the game back to you.  Cocker spaniels are particularly good family pets, but also fantastic hunters.  English springer spaniels and cocker spaniels are two of the most common spaniel breeds used for hunting, although field spaniels are also growing in popularity.   Spaniels can be used to chase game out of hiding and retrieve it on land and water alike.

Pointers

Pointers, such as the German shorthaired pointer, discover the prey for the hunter and point at it, thus their name.  This breed will traverse a much larger region than spaniels, but are dependent on the hunter to draw out the quarry.

Setters

Setters, similar to pointers, will both find and point at game, but will also track prey using excellent smelling abilities when ordered to do so.  Setters, such as English setters, are very skillful at tracking upland birds such as quail and pheasants.  They are very popular hunting dogs in places like Ireland and England.

Water Dogs

When we hear the word “poodle,” we often think of a lap dog with a convoluted hair-do.  However, the poodle is a sort of retriever that enjoys the water and is, in theory, a hunting dog.  Big traditional poodles are superior dogs to use for hunting when hunting close to the water.   Different from other hunting dogs, poodles have actual hair in place of fur and must be clipped every so often.  An odd aside: they are excellent hunting dogs for those with dog allergies.

The sort of hunting you plan on doing will influence the type of hunting dog that is suitable for you.  Try to plan for this in advance, so that when you hunt for your prey you have the proper expectations for the dog. Knowing what your dog is capable of in the field will help you train him to be the best hunting dog he can be.

When purchasing Bird Dogs you must also consider what kind of Hunting Dog Supplies you might need. A few supplies to consider are dog training collars, bird launchers, and electronic dog fences.