Why Are Dogs Good for Hunting?

You may wonder why are dogs good for hunting, which may be because it serves as a loyal companion. So, getting them to hunt can be difficult to achieve.

Or is it so?

Dogs can serve hunting functions as they have better hearing and smelling abilities than humans. In this post you will find out why are dogs good at hunting.

Why Are Dogs Good for Hunting? 

Even though dogs have proven to be loyal pets and companions, they have also served more than that purpose. They have functioned as hunting partners because of their sharp senses and how loyal they can be. 

Hunting dogs may be more reliable and effective hunters than humans for three major reasons. They are:

• Dogs are athlete animals as they run faster than humans can.
• Dogs have an acute sense of smell which helps them identify their prey much easily.
• Dogs can pick up sounds faster than humans.

To take advantage of all of this, humans need to take them through a training program.

What is the best hunting dog?

Several dogs are best for hunting, and in this section are some of the best hunting dogs out there. Since you already know that dogs are good for hunting, here are the breeds that you could try out:

American Foxhound

The foxhound is just as the name suggests as it was originally bred for the sake of hunting down prey. When you pair their heritage together with how loyal they can make them a suitable choice for hunting, tracking, and more.

For the sake of specificity, the American Foxhound can be more effective when hunting down foxes. Even though some may see them look like beagles, the foxhounds can be a lot taller and leaner. This structure gives them the ability to be quite athletic and hardworking hunting animals.

Maintaining the American foxhound is also something that can be done without much stress. After hunting, they can be tended to just as you would a family dog. They also have an easy-going demeanor that makes them lovable by both adults and children.

American Pit Bull Terrier

Unlike what people know, pit bulls were originally designed as nanny dogs for kids to be both loyal and caring. With the right training, they can be one of the sweetest animals available for children. However, they are more than that in other circumstances.

Pit bulls are physically tenacious, robust, and dangerous animals, making them one of the best hunting dog breeds.  They are great options for a scrappy, large and daunting game that involves the wild boar.

They have remarkably strong jaws and muscular frames that help them overcome their prey much easier. Pit bulls are quite sporty and may or not need a dog vest to go on a hunting trip.

Beagle

The beagle is a perennial family dog that can be curious, playful, and yet cute. However, that does not take away the fact that they were originally designed to be part of the hunting game. 

It belongs to part of the deer hunting dog breeds available, and they are often mistaken for the American Foxhounds. The major difference between the two dog breeds is that the beagle is a bit stouter than the foxhound. But the beagle is equally tenacious and a reliable choice for a hunting dog.

Bloodhound

The bloodhound is commonly referred to as the Sherlock Holmes of canines due to their impressive investigative skills. Their heritage and experience are standout and helps them in hunting down prey. With a dog bell attached then you could also track them while they are out hunting.

Not so many dogs are quite reliable hunters like the bloodhound because they are great at picking up their quarry’s scent. Even law enforcement agencies make use of them when hunting down hard drugs and missing persons. However, after a hunt, they can be trained to be docile and easy-going when not hunting and only active during hunt hours.

Weimaraner

The Weimaraner comes as a lean and energetic animal and has a floppy ear like other hunting dogs available. Yet, this one has a hunting pedigree because of how it was originally bred to have the capacity to take down big games and even predators. As top hunting dogs, they are athletic, highly intelligent, and capable of dealing with situations.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Are golden retrievers good hunting dogs?

The golden retriever is a popular dog in the United States, and it has been a choice of a hunting dog. However, it is not an option for large games; rather, it is specified for bird hunting purposes. For those that use the golden retriever for hunting, you may be wondering why the dog howls. Well, it does indicate either a high-pitched noise, another dogs’ howl, or human noise.

Summary

For those wondering why are dogs good for hunting, well, they are good for several reasons. They have superior hearing abilities and can be athletic enough to catch up with prey.