For people who love the outdoors, dogs are not just a pet or a best friend, but also great hunting companions. The desirability of a hunting dog depends a lot on his training, the type of prey he is looking for and what exactly he expects the dog to do. From sniffing out prey to deftly retrieving downed birds, what follows are the top five hunting dog breeds money can buy.
1. Labrador Retriever. Along with the golden retriever, Labrador retrievers rank as the most popular breed in the United States. This breed is known as a complete hunting companion, regardless of the season. Due to their moisture-wicking coats and web-like feet, Labrador retrievers are known as water dogs that swim easily to seek out prey. Also important is their good temperament and high level of intelligence, which makes them ideal for training.
2. English Springer Spaniel. These medium-sized dogs are gaining popularity in the hunting world. His talent is pulling birds out of hiding places for their owners to shoot them. Although they are smaller than typical hunting dogs, they make up for it with guts and personality. And with strong legs, a high energy level, and a short, dense undercoat covered by a long topcoat, they’re ideal for long days of hunting in most weather conditions.
3. German shorthaired pointer. Another versatile hunter is the German Shorthaired Pointer, a breed that works just as well on land as it does in water. They are usually known as bird dogs, but they are also adept at tracking land animals. Instead of blushing like the spaniel, the pointer lives true to its name, freezing and pointing at tracked prey. Furthermore, they are very intelligent and obedient, which means that they are easy to train.
4. Coonhound. With their noses to the ground, coonhounds rely on smell rather than sight to track prey. Once they have found a trail, this breed will chase their prey, usually a small mammal such as a raccoon or opossum, up a tree and bark until their master arrives. Coonhounds are just as comfortable in the heat as they are in the cold and can tolerate a variety of weather conditions.
5. English Setters. Combining the best qualities of spaniels and pointers, English setters were originally trained as elite dogs in England. After silently tracking down prey, setters crouch down and wait for the hunter to come closer rather than flush the birds out of hiding. English setters have a lot of enthusiasm, intelligence, and energy that is best channeled through hunting.
