Not only do dogs make great companions, but many of them also make terrific hunting partners. If you enjoy hunting, you most likely want to find a good hunting dog. There are many breeds that excel as hunting dogs, and they come in all sizes and varieties. While the list of these breeds is a bit extensive, you will find five of the best hunting dogs described below.
Labrador Retrievers
The Labrador Retriever is an extremely active dog that originated in Canada where it was developed to be an outstanding waterfowl hunting dog. These are short-haired dogs that can be black, chocolate or various shades of yellow. Some Labs tend to mature slowly and can be quite rambunctious; however, they are very gentle and patient with kids. These are medium-sized dogs that average 25 to 36 pounds.
Beagles
Beagles have been popular hunting dogs since about the early 1800s. They originated in Great Britain where they were mainly used to hunt rabbits, hares and deer. These are small, short-haired dogs that can weigh anywhere between 20 and 25 pounds when fully grown. With their sweet temperaments and gentle nature, Beagles make great family pets.
Coonhound Breeds
Some of the best hunting dog breeds are Coonhounds, and the three most popular Coonhounds are Black and Tan Coonhounds, Bluetick Coonhounds and Redbone Coonhounds. Coonhounds have short hair and typically range in size from about 50 to 75 pounds. They are most known for their loud “baying” as they track raccoons, opossums, cougars, bobcats and bears.
German Shorthaired Pointers
No list of the best hunting dog breeds would complete without mentioning German Shorthaired Pointers. These dogs originally came from Germany where they were used to hunt various types of game birds. They are a short-haired breed that averages 45 to 70 pounds full grown. Pointers are great family pets ; however, they are happiest when they are in the field.
Brittany Spaniels
Brittany Spaniels are small to medium-sized gun dogs that can range in size from 25 to 40 pounds. They originated in France where they were developed to be excellent retrievers of various types of game birds. They have medium-length orange and white hair that is often longer on the ears, chest and legs.
These are just five of the best hunting dog breeds today. There is a vast array of other great hunting dogs you can choose from as well. You will find a few of these other types of dogs listed here: