The 11 Best Dog Breeds for Hunting, According to a Dog Training Expert

Dogs can be trained on a variety of skills—etiquette, tricks, seizure response or support for humans and more, just to name a few. While some training can be fairly universal for dogs, other training is more specialized and easiest for specific pup types. For example, there are particular breeds that fall under the "best hunting dogs" category.

On the hunt for the perfect pooch to accompany your days out in the woods or fields? Professional dog trainer Bob Deeds of Canine Connection is here to help. "Taking dogs that already have tendencies in place, due to genetics, makes the job easier," he explains about training man's best friend to help in your hunting pursuits.

While Deeds' background in hunting has been more geared toward saving people who were trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings or the wake of natural disasters than the retrieval of a shot duck, he's no stranger to the concept of training dogs for hunting game.

If you're looking for the perfect breed of dog to be your hunting companion, then look no further, we have the best dog breeds for hunting right here.

What Is a Gun Dog?

According to Deeds, "A gun dog is a term for hunting dogs used to retrieve game [and] track wounded game—almost all under [the] obedience of the handler. The broader 'hunting dog' term covers dogs that are trained to locate game—in some cases tree them [AKA force the animals to run up a tree], in some cases track game." In his opinion, gun dogs require more training than any other working dogs.

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What Is a Scent Hound or Sighthound?

Deeds tells us, "The scent hound is a dog that uses its olfactory capabilities to find the quarry." 

He goes on to say that you would need to look at what a sighthound is to have a clearer understanding of what a scent hound is. A sighthound does exactly what it sounds like, they rely on their visual acuity—not to mention speed—to chase quarry down. 

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11 Best Hunting Dog Breeds

1. Labrador Retriever

Most prominently used in hunting as a gun dog, Labrador Retrievers are the number one dog that comes to mind when duck hunting is the topic of discussion. Why are they good for retrieving game? First and foremost, they love water and aren't afraid to trek whatever terrain necessary to bring you back your prize. They are also fiercely loyal and reliable with a strong work ethic and friendly temperament. 

2. Golden Retriever

Also used in hunting as a gun dog, Golden Retrievers have a naturally strong hunting instinct. Mostly used for retrieving hunted waterfowl, they are also used for any other small game you need to be retrieved. Their versatility and popularity as the family dog has made Goldens one of the top picks for families looking to add a dog to their number—not just for hunting.

3. Curly or Flat Coated Retrievers

Notably the tallest of the retrievers, the Curly Coated Retriever was bred from the spaniel family and mostly hunts waterfowl and upland birds as a gun dog. According to Retriever Advice, Curly Coated Retrievers are a rare breed with only one hundred and fifty breeders! If you really desire one of these pups, be prepared to pay a pretty penny.

4. Nova-Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

An energetic, eager-to-please and intelligent breed, the Nova-Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is among the smallest of the retrievers and primarily used as a gun dog. Often referred to as a "toller," this strong and agile breed will be able to keep up with the most active of owners. Be sure that you have enough time to keep them entertained with hunting, swimming or hiking!

5. Standard Poodle

Bred as water retrievers, the Poodle is a great gun dog. Even though "retriever" is not in their name, they are extremely adept at retrieving waterfowl. Poodles can also be used to retrieve small game such as rabbits, squirrels and even chipmunks. Don't let their haircut fool you! These dogs mean business.

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6. Weimaraner

The Weimaraner is a great breed to have if you want a versatile hunting dog. They not only excel at hunting in general, but tracking, pointing and retrieving on land as well as in water. They also possess a strong desire to please their owners and do their best when they work and live with them.

7. German Shorthaired Pointer

Most often used as a general hunting dog, the German Shorthaired Pointer can do it all! Adept at hunting, pointing and retrieving, this breed has been known to hunt all kinds of game including raccoons, rabbits, all kinds of birds and even deer! Because of their hunting drive, these dogs may not do well around smaller fluffy creatures such as cats. Keep that in mind when adding a family member to your pack.

8. English Springer Spaniel

Specifically bred in order to "spring" or "flush" game, the English Springer Spaniel is a great gun dog. "Flushing" is a term that refers to the ability of this breed to find and chase birds into flight so their owners/handlers can then shoot the quarry. They also retrieve that quarry once shot and return it to their owners, never fearing the thickest brush. Fun fact: the English Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel used to be the same breed! The difference is mainly due to size, with Springer Spaniels being larger.

9. Boykin Spaniel

Although they usually don't do any pointing, the Boykin Spaniel will find and "flush" birds just as well as any other hunting breed. Used primarily as a gun dog, this breed is used to hunt pheasants, quail and ducks, even though they may do so a bit slower than the Labrador Retriever.

10. Treeing Walker Coonhound

A Treeing Walker Coonhound will follow the scent trail of a raccoon and chase them up a tree until the hunter can catch up with their dog and get their quarry. Although primarily a scent hound for raccoons, Treeing Walker Coonhounds have also been known to aid in the hunt of bobcats, cougars, deer and even bears!

11. Beagle

The Beagle gets its name from the type of hunting that it does. Hunting hare is known as "beagling" and therefore, the Beagle was coined. As a scent hound, this breed could also be considered a gun dog as it does a fair amount of "flushing" as well as hunting small game such as rabbits, birds, bobcats, foxes (while related to the Foxhound, the Beagle is much smaller), wild boar and the occasional stoat. 

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Search and Rescue Dogs

Deeds is most familiar with training certain breeds to perform search and rescue tasks. Of these, he's personally worked with Border Collies, Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers. According to him, these dogs all contain attributes that helped him to create the tendencies he needed for the tasks he was given.

Border Collie

Due to their extremely high energy levels and work ethic, the Border Collie makes for a great search and rescue breed. Known for their abilities as working dogs, Border Collies are primarily thought of as sheepdogs. The reality is that as long as they have a task to complete, this breed will be happy to do so!

Labrador Retriever

Not only do Labrador Retrievers excel at bringing back game, they also enjoy some of the most difficult search and rescue tasks. This breed has been used for bomb detection and many different types of disaster recovery.

Belgian Malinois

Belgian Malinois have an intense loyalty to their owners and are driven by their high work ethic. Not only are they extremely intelligent, they are one of the most highly trainable breeds having won plenty of obedience competitions as well as excelling in police work.

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