| "> | | | | retrievers are the most popular for this purpose. |
| Some dog breeds are quite useful in the role of a | | | | You can get these dogs as a pups with no |
| hunting dog. Dogs are smart and have a natural | | | | training, younger dogs with some early |
| hunting instinct that makes them good | | | | fundamental training, or finished Field Trial Dogs |
| companions for a hunter. | | | | who can hunt upland game birds, and compete in |
| There are specific breeds that are bred and | | | | local, regional and national field trials. |
| trained for nothing else but hunting. Dogs like | | | | Pointers and Setters use their bodies to point to |
| hounds, gundogs and terriers are the most | | | | the general direction of the prey and sit down |
| recognized breeds. Many hunters consider a dog | | | | when they have pinpointed exactly where the |
| just as much of a necessity to their hunting as | | | | prey is. This gives the hunter a location to fire and |
| their shotgun! | | | | score their game just from observing the |
| When it comes to tracking and chasing down | | | | behavior of the dog. |
| game there is no better hunter than the hound. | | | | The Terrier is a well respected and is bred for |
| Sighthounds use their keen eyesight and speed to | | | | hunting and killing vermin. This breed is hyperactive |
| follow, catch and kill game like deer, gazelle and | | | | with an energetic no fear attitude. Terriers hunt |
| hare. The Whippet is a popular sighthound used. | | | | prey like rats, rabbits and foxes, above ground |
| Scent hounds, like the Basset Hound, are a | | | | and below ground. Beagles are especially efficient |
| different type of dog than the sighthound. They | | | | for rabbit hunting. |
| are usually slow but possess incredible endurance | | | | Just remember that hunting dogs, despite being |
| and a heightened sense of smell that allows them | | | | so smart and useful, still need the attention, love, |
| to follow prey for a long distance from their | | | | care and positive reinforcement of any other dog. |
| scent alone. | | | | The more time and training you put into your |
| Gundogs are usually specialized in bird hunting. | | | | dog, the more their innate ability to hunt is |
| Retrievers can remember exactly where prey fall | | | | fostered and cultivated. A good dog is not only |
| and return it to the hunter unmarked thanks to | | | | there to enhance your game hunting but it's also |
| the dog's soft mouth. Labrador and Golden | | | | there to be a friend and companion as well. |