21 Best Hunting Dogs for Tracking Any Kind of Prey (2024)

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Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever is one of the most popular gun dogs. This enthusiastic, energetic, and loyal dog breed can withstand cold temperatures and easily swim through cold water. Labradors are often considered best for duck hunting. When not on the hunt, Labs make an excellent companion and family dog thanks to their friendliness and willingness to please. Also, check out a related breed, the English Labrador.

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Golden Retriever

Similar to Labradors, golden retrievers also are gun dogs. They are excellent for hunting birds and other small prey. Goldens are enthusiastic, loyal, and very trainable. They also make wonderful family companions and have a reputation for getting along very well with children. But they do need lots of activity to exercise their minds and bodies.

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Pointer

The pointer, sometimes called the English pointer, is a bird dog with a high prey drive and a determined spirit. The pointer will pursue prey, such as quail and pheasants, with vigor. Plus, the breed is fairly heat-tolerant and therefore suited for hunting in warmer climates. Whether on the hunt or on the couch, a pointer makes a loyal, loving companion.

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Beagle

The beagle is a scent hound with an amazing nose and a loud voice. This breed is primarily used to hunt small game, especially rabbits. Beagles also make excellent companions for all kinds of households and are typically good with kids. They are known for being quite loving and eager to please.

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American Foxhound

The American foxhound is a scent hound full of determination. This running hound thrives on the chase. Bred from English foxhounds, the breed was first used mainly to hunt foxes. In time, the breed also was involved in deer hunting. Foxhounds make loving and loyal companions, but they do need lots of exercise each day to satisfy their high energy and endurance levels.

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English Springer Spaniel

The English springer spaniel is an excellent bird dog that is especially good at flushing out and chasing pheasants. This dog has retrieving skills that can match those of the Labrador and golden retriever. And the English springer spaniel's slightly smaller size makes them better suited to navigate smaller spaces on the hunt. When not at work, the springer makes an excellent family dog.

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Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is a determined and athletic gun dog. This breed is intelligent and typically quite devoted to their family. Like the Lab, the Chessie is suited to cold water, as their oily coat gives them a natural resistance to the water. But, unlike the Lab, this breed is not necessarily everyone's best friend. A Chessie is fiercely loyal to family but can be wary of strangers.

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Bluetick Coonhound

The bluetick coonhound is a scent hound that can pursue and tree just about any creature they find. This breed has even been known to chase cougars and mountain lions. These are high-energy dogs with excellent noses. They can be quite vocal, even when not pursuing game. While not typically ideal for apartment living, the bluetick makes an excellent companion for very active households.

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English Setter

The English setter is a gun dog known for pointing, running, and hunting skills. These dogs also can be trained to retrieve, making them excellent at bird hunting. As the popularity of setters rose, they were split into two categories: conformation and field. Field dogs are smaller and more lightly feathered, making them best for hunting. Conformation dogs are suited to be show dogs and pets due to their larger frames and long feathers. However, the field setter can be an excellent companion as well.

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Irish Setter

The Irish setter is a gun dog known for their beautiful red coat and graceful agility. Like English setters, the breed is divided into show-quality and field dogs. The Irish setter is tougher than they look; this breed is rugged, hard-working, and determined to pursue birds. Irish setters also make friendly, affectionate, and gentle companions for all kinds of families, but they need lots of exercise to keep them happy.

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Pudelpointer

The pudelpointer was bred to help hunters by using their strong sense of smell, which gives them the ability to track scents easily. Despite their prey drive, they can get along with other pets, particularly when they’re introduced to other animals while they’re puppies. And they love being around their family, developing a strong bond to their humans, so they make lovely pets as well.

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Bloodhound

The large bloodhound has the strongest sense of smell of all the dog breeds, so they are outstanding at tracking a scent. In fact, even police use them for scent tracking. They have wrinkly skin and long ears, and are known for being gentle and laidback. However, these are active dogs and need a lot of exercise. Also, because they are pack dogs, they need to be around others and will get along well with other dogs.

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Brittany

The Brittany is a gun dog that can help bird hunters. They are tireless and intelligent, and can make great pets because they are devoted and crave companionship. In fact, if they are left alone for too long, they can develop separation anxiety. So, in addition to using these dogs for hunting, they can also be playful and loving companions for families. Like other sporting breeds, they do need a lot of exercise, so active families are best for this breed.

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Mountain Cur

Another breed that was bred for hunting is the Mountain Cur, also known as the “All-American Pioneer dog.” These dogs really enjoy being outside, so adventures in the great outdoors are a perfect way to allow them to let their energy out, and they will gladly accompany you on a hunting trip or hike. They also like having a job to do, so you can train them to perform a wide range of tasks.

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Boykin Spaniel

The lovable and devoted Boykin spaniel was bred to retrieve waterfowl in South Carolina, so they can easily navigate lakes and swamps. These are energetic dogs that are affectionate and a perfect match for active families, including those with children. Plus, they can also get along well with other pets, particularly when they’re introduced while they’re young. When given plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation, this dog makes a wonderful pet.

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Plott Hound

The Plott hound breed was developed in the United States using Hanover hounds and local hunting dogs. This scent hound is the state dog of North Carolina. They are fearless, eager to please, and loyal, as well as protective, so they have all of the characteristics of a good hunting dog and family companion. However, they might view other small pets as prey, can be wary of strangers, and need a lot of physical activity to be happy.

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German Shorthaired Pointer

Also known as GSP, the German shorthaired pointer has a lot of attractive qualities. They are friendly and intelligent, and make a great family dog. They’re also athletic, energetic, and can help hunters with tracking, pointing, and retrieving. They like to work, are eager and quick learners, and can be trained to do a variety of things. Because of their strong prey drive, though, they may not be suitable for homes with other pets.

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German Wirehaired Pointer

The energetic and muscular German wirehaired pointer was bred for hunting in harsh conditions, so they have a weather-resistant coat and webbed feet. These dogs like to have fun and play, and they need a lot of exercise, so they are ideal for active families. Plus, they’re affectionate, loyal, intelligent, eager to please, and friendly, so they have a lot of the qualities that many people look for in a dog.

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co*cker Spaniel

The co*cker spaniel is a popular breed from England that was bred for hunting birds. These dogs are affectionate and loving, so they make wonderful pets for families, including those with children and other dogs. This is another sporting breed that has a lot of energy and needs a lot of exercise in the form of various outdoor activities. They are also eager to please and smart, so training these dogs usually is not challenging.

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Black and Tan Coonhound

The large black and tan coonhound makes a loyal hunting companion, with a strong sense of smell that allows them to track scents with ease. They don’t have the same high exercise requirements of other breeds on this list, but still require daily exercise and do well in active households. They also make loving family pets because they’re gentle and easygoing, and will gladly lounge around with you.

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Redbone Coonhound

The redbone coonhound is a scent hound with a distinct voice. They’re energetic, intelligent, and lovable, but they have a short attention span and can be stubborn. Though helping hunters comes pretty naturally to them, training them can be challenging. As a family pet, the redbone coonhound is wonderful, as they are affectionate, good with kids and other dogs, and laidback when they aren’t working