What Dogs Were Used For Hunting?the Unique Characteristic Of The Hunting Dog

Not only normal obedience training is required for a retriever, but there must also be a few "extras" in order to be a good retriever. What makes them different from ordinary pets? There are some unique traits you can look for in a dog that will tell you if they are a solid hunting dog!

The first characteristic is irritability. This refers to a dog's five different senses. In dogs, their sense of smell is the strongest, and a good hunting dog (no matter what breed) should have a good nose. If the dog can make good use of its senses, especially its nose, you're off to a great start.

The next characteristic to look for is a good response. The ability to quickly change direction when they smell a new smell or retrieve something is very important. Their responses will also reflect their athleticism and stamina. Hounds often run for miles while hunting, so dogs need to be in good shape and have a body that's conducive to running. Good stamina is an essential characteristic.

Emotions are the next trait, and behaviors like tail wagging or whimpering are always present in any dog, but a good hound will always share its feelings. Many people may think that an overly emotional dog is a bad thing, but the opposite is true. A dog that shows emotion will make it easier for the two of you to bond and communicate.

Don't forget to check out our great article on hunting with your furry friends! 7 Tips for Training Hounds and Pointers, Flushers, and Bird Retrieval

Next on the list is intelligence. This is probably their most important feature. Hounds must be intelligent and able to understand what to do in different situations. Hunting presents a dog with many different scenarios, and it must be able to make quick and informed decisions. In addition, it must also have the ability to listen to the master at any time. You can see why intelligence is so important to hounds.

While these are the basic characteristics of a good hunting dog, these are not the only characteristics you might want to look for in a hunting dog. For example, if you are looking for a good duckhound who can retrieve your bird, you want a puppy who is not afraid of water and is a good swimmer. The pointer or flusher requires patience as it will find the birds for you.

final thoughts

A good hound varies from person to person. Fortunately, there are a few different traits to look for to ensure a dog can be the best hunting dog possible.