Dogs have been bred for the purposes of hunting with humans for
centuries. Whether hunting for food or sport, various breeds of
dog have been used to help flush the hunted animals out into
the open, to retrieve downed animals (especially ducks,
pheasant, and other birds), and to sniff out and track animals
for the hunter. It is with these potential duties in mind that
a hunting dog should be chosen.
When choosing a dog for hunting purposes you may want to
evaluate your needs and base the choice on what you want the
dog to do, how easily it can be trained, whether it is likely
to be "spooked" by the report of a weapon being fired, and how
good its nose is.
Hunting Breeds
There are several breeds of dog that have a natural aptitude
for assisting in various aspects of hunting. Hounds, for
example, make excellent trackers, especially bloodhounds. They
have a very acute sense of smell, even for a dog, and have no
problem following several scents at once. Retrievers are quite
keen at, well, retrieving. And make excellent bird-dogs.
Hunting breeds are separated into four general groups. These
are the general hunting dogs, gun dogs, retrievers, and bird
dogs. Some specific dog breeds may fit into more than one
category.
Retrievers
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are experts at
finding and fetching fallen prey. They are especially useful on
duck hunts because their oily coats help them move effortlessly
through water to find and retrieve the fallen waterfowl.
Pointers and Setters
These dogs are useful in hunting because they let the hunter
know when prey is nearby. They are most often used in bird
hunts and are trained to freeze and point their bodies in the
direction of the hunted bird (pointers) or hunker down low to
the ground when they locate a bird (setters). Spaniels also
make good pointers.
Hounds and Trackers
Bloodhounds and other dogs with heightened senses of smell are
used to track all manner of animals. Whether it is their
traditional use in the British fox hunt or their usefulness in
tracking down deer, bears, and other such game for hunters in
the US, they serve their purpose exceptionally well.
About The Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal
expert from Nashville, TN. Visit www.doghealth411.com
for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog
travel.
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