The 10 Best Hunting Dog Breeds (Part 1)

The 10 Best Hunting Dog Breeds

Are you a hunting enthusiast and looking for the ideal breed of dog to accompany you? Do you want to adopt a dynamic, enduring and loyal dog? You have knocked on the right door.

We'll present the 10 best hunting dog breeds , and we start with 5 breeds in this article.

The different hunting dogs

Before starting this top 10 of the best breeds of hunting dog, it is necessary to provide some details on the different types of canine hunters that exist.

Indeed, you do not hunt with a German Shorthaired Pointer in the same way as with a Golden Retriever or a Griffon.

Therefore, it must be understood that there is not only one type of hunting.

There are 5 types of hunting dogs.

Hounds: they are used to pursue game and give direction to the hunter (Beagles, English Foxhounds, Redbones, etc.).

Pointing dogs: these are breeds that roam the land in search of small game. Once the bird is spotted, the dogs mark the stop to indicate to the hunter where the animal is (Braques, Spaniels, Griffons…).

Hunting dogs: they are used to hunt small game birds. Lifters work close to their master. They flush out the game, force them to take flight so that the hunter can hunt the animal (Cockers, Springers).

Retrieving dogs: these are animals that bring small game to the hunter (Labrador, Golden Retriever).

Bloodhounds: their role is to look for injured big game with their sense of smell (Labrador, German Pointer, Weimaraner, German Shepherd, etc.)

Top 10 Best Hunting Dog Breeds

There is no “best hunting dog”. However, some breeds have characteristics that make them more suitable partners depending on the type of hunting chosen. Either way, these 10 best hunting dog breeds are also lovable, loyal pets that are ideal for family life.

1-The Beagle (hound)

Originally from Great Britain, the Beagle is a popular dog in France. Mainly used for hunting with hounds, he is also an excellent dog to live with on a daily basis.

Like most common hunting dog breeds, the Beagle is a real ball of energy!

He is also known to bark often and to be a canine who does not tolerate loneliness well. Sometimes stubborn, he is nonetheless adorable and loyal to his family and his master.

The Beagle measures between 30 and 40 cm at the withers. It weighs 8 to 15 kg. He is a small dog with short and dense hair. In the vast majority of cases, the Beagle's coat is tricolor and composed of black, white and fire orange. However, there are some dogs with a two-tone coat, or even exclusively white.

Rustic and enduring, the Beagle has an iron health. They are small dogs that can stay healthy all their lives. However, watch out for the food! The Beagle is a voracious and is greatly exposed to obesity.

The Beagle does not require much maintenance.

2-The English Cocker Spaniel (lifting dog – retriever dog)

From its full name “English Cocker Spaniel”, the Cocker Spaniel is both a retriever dog and a game-raising dog. Like the Beagle, the Cocker is a dog of English origin. It is one of the oldest breeds of British spaniels.

The Cocker is a hunting dog by nature, he is naturally very athletic. With him, be ready to take long walks and why not practice canicross.

Extremely faithful, he can sometimes seem like a pot of glue as he follows his master on the trail.

Medium-sized dog, he is a doggie with long hair and a silky coat of solid color (black, red, fawn, chocolate…), two-tone (white and black, orange and brown) or tricolor (black – white – tan, orange – lemon – brown…).

With a life expectancy of 15 years, the English Cocker Spaniel is a robust hunting dog with excellent health. However, pay attention to its diet. The Cocker is prone to obesity.

The maintenance of the English Cocker Spaniel is not the most difficult. On the other hand, we recommend that you clean your dog's ears regularly to prevent ear infections and other infections.

3-The Fox Terrier (retrieving dog – lifting dog)

Originally used for fox hunting, the Fox Terrier is a breed of hunting dog originating in England. The first traces of this dog date back to the 17th century.

The Fox-Terrier is probably the result of a cross between the Beagle, the Manchester Terrier and the Dachshund.

Intelligent, hyperactive, playful and tenacious. Here is how to describe this hunting dog. The Fox Terrier is not known for having a calm temperament. On the contrary, it is an electric battery that needs to be constantly spent. Despite this overflow of energy, he remains a pleasant dog to live with and a very good everyday companion.

The Fox Terrier is small in size. It weighs up to 8 kg and measures 39 cm at the withers. His hair is short, hard, dense and abundant.

You will have no problem recognizing a Fox Terrier. His dress will betray him (a dominating white, black and tan spots).

This animal is in good health and is not exposed to any particular pathology. But, once again, beware of your dog's diet, it also tends to gain weight quickly if it does not exercise enough.

The Fox Terrier can live up to 13 years.

4-The Golden Retriever (Retrieving dog)

World famous, the Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dogs with the German Shepherd.

The origin of this four-legged friend is controversial. The most important thing to know is that it first appeared in 1909 at a dog show.

Sociable, affectionate and particularly gentle, the Golden Retriever owes its notoriety to its beauty but also to its character which makes it an ideal pet (in addition to an excellent hunting dog).

The Golden Retriever is a dog with long hair and cream beige color, even white.

His mouth gives him the air of a thoughtful and kind dog. At the withers, the male measures 55-60 cm, the female measures 50-55. These animals are large dogs that can weigh up to 30 kg.

This breed of dog loves water. This implies that you owe his health a little more than with the best hunting dogs presented above. Although it is robust, care must be taken to dry it well when it comes out of the water. Also, the Golden presents predispositions for the following diseases:

cancer

hip dysplasia

cataract

5-Wirehaired Pointing Griffon(pointing dog)

The Griffon Khortals is one of the best dog breeds for hunting. It is also one of the most famous. Of French origin, the Khortals would have appeared in 1860 and would be the result of a cross between a French braque, a barbet and a pointer.

If you are looking for an active dog that loves to run, the Griffon Khortals is definitely for you. Very playful, he loves to exercise and go out with his master.

Easy to train, he is a docile, loyal and protective dog. Be careful though, this dog is not made for life in an apartment!

A medium-sized dog, the Khortals measures 50 to 60 cm at the withers and weighs between 20 and 30 kg. His hair is hard, coarse and semi-long. The Khortals is recognizable by its mustache and its marked eyebrows.

Like the vast majority of hunting dogs, the Griffon Khortals is very robust.

This ball of fur fears neither the weather nor the cold. Unfortunately, Griffons have predispositions to hip dysplasia as well as risks for prostate-related diseases.

To be continued....