Hunting dogs
Hunting dogs are versatile and powerful companions that have been specially bred for hunting. With their keen sense of smell, stamina and obedience, they support hunters in tracking, retrieving and placing game. However, many hunting dogs also impress off the hunt with their intelligence and adaptability as family dogs.
Versatile partners with impressive skills
Hunting dogs are specially bred four-legged friends that have been helping hunters hunt for centuries. They impress with their keen sense of smell, their stamina and their adaptability. But hunting dogs are much more than just working animals - many breeds also impress with their friendly nature and are ideal as family dogs.
What tasks do hunting dogs have?
Hunting dogs are used for different tasks depending on their specialization:
- Scent hounds follow tracks and help to track down game.
- Retrieving dogs bring shot game back to their owners.
- Pointing dogs mark the position of game with their stance.
- Welding dogs are trained to track wounded game.
Each of these tasks requires a combination of intelligence, obedience and stamina, which many hunting dog breeds naturally possess.
Hunting dogs as family dogs
Away from the hunt, many hunting dogs show an affectionate nature and a strong bond with their humans. They are often active and need plenty of exercise and mental exercise. If you are considering keeping a hunting dog as a family dog, you should make sure to provide them with sufficient activity and exercise. With the right training and support, they will become loyal and balanced companions.
The 15+ best hunting dog breeds
In the next section, we introduce you to some of the best-known and most versatile hunting dog breeds. From the charming Beagles to the majestic Irish Setters, each breed has its own strengths that make them unique not only for hunting but also for everyday life.
English Pointer
The English Pointer is an elegant and persistent hunting dog that impresses with its strong sense of smell and its ability to present game. It is intelligent, capable of learning and shows an impressive willingness to work. With its friendly nature and active character, it is also suitable as a family dog, but needs sufficient exercise and mental exercise to remain balanced.
German Wirehair
The German Wirehair is a versatile and robust hunting dog that impresses with its keen sense of smell, stamina and willingness to work. With its wiry coat, it is ideally suited to challenging terrain and all weather conditions. The German Wirehair is intelligent, capable of learning and forms a strong bond with its owner. He needs plenty of exercise and mental exercise.
Irish Red and White Setter
The Irish Red and White Setter is an elegant and versatile hunting dog that impresses with its keen instinct and willingness to work. With its friendly nature and adaptability, it is also suitable as a family dog. He is intelligent, easy to train and needs plenty of exercise. His close bond with his humans makes him a loyal companion, whether hunting or in everyday life.
Styrian Wirehaired Hound
The Styrian Rough-coated Hound is an enduring and robust hunting dog that was specially bred for tracking hoofed game. With its keen sense of smell, independence and resilience, it impresses on every hunt. Despite its independent nature, it shows a strong bond with its human. She needs a lot of exercise and is particularly suitable for experienced owners.
Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier is a courageous and spirited hunting dog that impresses with its intelligence and willingness to work. With its friendly nature and loyalty, it is also suitable as a family dog, but requires clear leadership and sufficient activity. His wiry coat is easy to care for and he loves exercise and varied tasks. A versatile and loyal companion!
Boykin Spaniel
The Boykin Spaniel is a versatile and friendly hunting dog that was bred especially for waterfowl hunting. With its keen sense of smell, its willingness to work and its intelligent nature, it excels at hunting and as a family dog. He is adaptable, loves exercise and shows a close bond with his humans. His wavy coat gives him a unique charm.
Gordon Setter
The Gordon Setter is an elegant and persistent hunting dog that impresses with its intelligence and willingness to work. With its keen sense of smell and its ability to reliably present game, it is a valued hunting companion. His friendly nature and strong bond with his family also make him popular as a family dog. He needs plenty of exercise and mental exercise.
Bracco Italiano
The Epagneul Breton is a versatile and lively hunting dog that impresses with its keen sense of smell, willingness to work and intelligence. It is particularly adaptable and, in addition to hunting, is also an excellent family dog. With its friendly nature and strong bond with its people, it is a loving companion. The Epagneul Breton needs plenty of exercise and activity.
Basset fauve de Bretagne
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a small but robust hunting dog that impresses with its keen sense of smell and stamina. It is courageous, independent and particularly suitable for hunting small animals. With its friendly nature and adaptability, it is also a wonderful family dog. However, this lively dog needs plenty of exercise and mental exercise to be happy.
Basset blue de Gascogne
The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is an elegant and persistent hunting dog that is particularly appreciated for hunting small animals. With its fine sense of smell, its independence and its calm nature, it is also convincing away from the hunt. His friendly temperament and adaptability make him a loving family dog, but he needs plenty of exercise and activity.
Jura hound
The Jura hound is an enduring and elegant hunting dog that is known for its tracking skills and confident work. With its keen sense of smell and willingness to work, it is particularly sought after when hunting game. His friendly nature and close bond with his family also make him popular as a companion dog, provided he gets enough exercise.
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is an elegant and versatile hunting dog that impresses with its keen sense of smell, intelligence and willingness to work. He is an excellent hunting companion, but is also suitable as a family dog if he gets enough exercise and mental exercise. With his loyalty and close bond to his humans, he is a faithful and reliable partner.
West Siberian Laika
The West Siberian Laika is a robust and versatile hunting dog known for its independence, hunting instinct and endurance. Originally bred for hunting in harsh climates, it impresses with its adaptability and strong sense of smell. With its close bond to its human, it is also valued as a companion, but needs plenty of exercise and activity.
Galgo Espanol
The Galgo Español is an elegant and fast hunting dog that is particularly valued for hare hunting. With its slender build, stamina and hunting instinct, it is ideal for open terrain. Despite his energy, he is calm in the house and shows a strong bond with his family. The Galgo needs plenty of exercise and a loving home.
Pont-Audemer Spaniel
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel is a rare and versatile hunting dog that was bred especially for waterfowl hunting. With its curly coat, intelligence and willingness to work, it is a convincing hunting dog as well as a family dog. His friendly nature and close bond with his humans make him a loving companion. He needs plenty of exercise and activity.
American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is a versatile and enduring hunting dog that is particularly prized for waterfowl hunting. With its curly, water-repellent coat and keen sense of smell, it excels on any terrain. Its friendly nature and love of learning also make it a popular family dog. The American Water Spaniel needs plenty of exercise and mental activity to be happy.
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is a versatile and intelligent hunting dog that impresses as the largest terrier. With its robust, wiry coat and stamina, it is ideal for hunting small game and as a versatile working dog. Its friendly nature, love of learning and strong bond with people also make it popular as a family dog. Plenty of exercise and activity are essential.
Wirehaired Vizsla
The Wirehaired Vizsla is an elegant and versatile hunting dog that is prized for its willingness to work, stamina and keen sense of smell. Its robust, wiry coat makes it ideal for working in a wide variety of terrain. With its friendly nature, intelligence and strong bond with its people, it is also suitable as a family dog, but requires plenty of exercise and mental activity.
Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano is a strong and versatile hunting dog that impresses with its keen sense of smell, stamina and calm nature. With its dense, wiry coat, it is ideally suited for hunting in difficult terrain. The Spinone shows a strong bond with its humans and is also suitable as a family dog if it is given sufficient exercise and activity.
Podenco Ibicenco
The Podenco Ibicenco is an elegant and agile hunting dog that is particularly popular for hare hunting on the Balearic Islands. With its keen sense of smell, speed and jumping ability, it is an excellent hunter. Its friendly nature and adaptability also make it popular as a family dog, provided it gets enough exercise and mental activity.