| Hunting dogs, as their name suggests, are simply | | | | back game, to flush and point, and to show |
| those dogs that have been bred - and trained - to | | | | where waterfowl may be located on the shore |
| assist human hunters in their activities. Originally, | | | | areas in rushes and weeds. Some of them are |
| these dogs were responsible, at least partially, for | | | | also used for on-land game bird shooting, a type |
| bringing home the meat for the family's dinner | | | | of hunting in which setters and pointers have |
| and, without them, the job of hunting was much | | | | become specialized. These dog breeds are very |
| more difficult. The dogs assist the human hunter | | | | patient and will wait, without moving, for long |
| to scent and track, retrieve, flush, point or even | | | | periods of time until they are finally told to do so |
| chase down game. The skills developed will be | | | | by the hunter. They are also used to swimming |
| specific to each breed, depending on the type of | | | | great distances into the water and back to |
| game that the dog has been trained to hunt, and | | | | retrieve a duck or goose without damaging the |
| the hunting style used with that particular type of | | | | bird or even piercing the skin with their teeth. |
| game. Hunting dogs love to be outdoors and work | | | | Dog breeds included in the group of gun or water |
| with their owners. They usually become noticeably | | | | dogs are: |
| excited and active when they notice that | | | | · Retrievers - Labradors, Golden, Chesapeake |
| preparations for the hunt are getting under way. | | | | Bay |
| Since each breed of hunting dog has unique skills | | | | · Spaniels - English, Cocker, Water, Brittany |
| and attributes, we shall look at each general type | | | | · Setters - English, Irish, Gordon |
| of hunting dog separately. It is important to | | | | · Pointers - Pudelpointer, German Short |
| remember that hunting dogs are not aggressive | | | | Haired, English |
| by nature and are actually some of the best | | | | It is interesting to note that the standard Poodle |
| natured and calm mannered of all the breeds of | | | | is an excellent gun and hunting dog, although |
| dogs. | | | | nowadays it is rarely used as a hunting dog |
| Hounds | | | | anymore. |
| Hounds, used as hunting dogs, can be subdivided | | | | Terriers |
| into two types: scent or sight hunting dogs. They | | | | Terriers are a group of hunting dogs, mostly |
| are used to hunt many types of mammals such | | | | developed during the industrial revolution, in the |
| as raccoons, coyotes, and other larger mammals. | | | | United Kingdom and Europe, to kill the vermin in |
| As you might imagine, sight hounds hunt by visual | | | | houses, factories and farms. These small- to |
| contact with the game. They are very fast and | | | | medium-sized dogs are energetic, lively and very |
| tend to be relatively smaller than scent hounds - | | | | independent. These dogs are a little different, in |
| although this does not mean that all of the breeds | | | | that they are actually trained to kill their prey, |
| of sight hunting hounds are small dogs. Sight | | | | unlike the hounds or water dogs listed above. For |
| hounds include: | | | | that reason they tend to be a bit more |
| · Whippets | | | | aggressive towards other animals if not socialized |
| · Greyhounds | | | | properly. The most common terrier breeds |
| · Rhodesian Ridgebacks | | | | include: |
| · Saluki | | | | · Jack Russell |
| · Afghan hound | | | | · Cairn |
| · Basenji | | | | · West Highland White |
| · Irish Wolfhound | | | | · Skye |
| Scent hounds tend to be heavier-set, | | | | · Boston |
| deeper-chested hunting dogs that excel for their | | | | · Yorkshire |
| endurance rather than their speed. Their voices | | | | · Fox |
| tend to be deep and baying and in this way | | | | · Airedale |
| hunters can follow them to where they have | | | | · Scottish |
| treed or cornered the game. Scent hounds include: | | | | However, there are many other types of terriers, |
| · Bloodhounds | | | | all with unique coat colors and characteristics. |
| · Bassets | | | | If you are looking for a hunting dog, you need to |
| · Beagles | | | | bear in mind, first, exactly which breed is best |
| · Coonhounds (all varieties) | | | | suited to your requirements. As a hunter, be sure |
| · Foxhounds | | | | to research each breed and talk to dog owners |
| · Scottish Deerhound | | | | to find which will most closely match your needs. |
| Some hounds are versatile and can track using | | | | However, remember that you needn't be a |
| both sight and scent. | | | | hunter to own one of these dogs - hunting dogs |
| Water Dogs | | | | can make excellent, good-natured companions. If |
| The name "water dogs" is the original name for a | | | | that is the case, simply make sure that the breed |
| large group of hunting dog breeds that are now | | | | you choose fits in with your present - and |
| often referred to as gun dogs. These dogs were | | | | projected lifestyle. |
| bred to go into the water and retrieve or bring | | | | |