These four-legged friends of man hunted for more than one millennium next to the person, helping in this difficult matter. And although on today, hunting has lost its paramount importance in life humans, and most breeds have successfully retrained, yet there were dogs with pronounced working instincts. Exists different types of game hunting, and in each of them are used certain breeds of dogs, some cleverly drive the beast out of the holes, others – they pull wounded animals out of the water, others – they only drive them— To understand this issue in more detail, you should get acquainted with classification and find out the most popular hunting breeds dogs.
Content
- 1. Best Pointing Dogs
- 2. The most popular breeds among greyhounds
- 3. Spaniels – Spanish hunters
- 4. Dachshunds – Short-footed Hunters
- 5. Terriers – burrow hunters
- 6. Hounds – swift, active, hardy
- 7. Retriever – hunters who love the water element
Best Pointing Dogs
The group of gundogs includes many breeds, representatives of which combines the ability to detect game, freeze in a certain position – stand up. These dogs are used as gun mates, involved in the production of game birds. The most popular cops The following breeds are:
- Irish Setter. This chestnut, handsome handsome man never remains without attention, appearing in public places. Dog large, harmoniously complex, but not heavy and very elegant. This breed was bred in Ireland specifically for hunting. for small animals and birds living in the marshy terrain.

- Drathaar. According to experienced hunters, this German wire-haired cop is the best in its group. Dog possesses unique technique – hunting in an open place, they move “shuttle” that does not allow game to hide from him. From the drathaars excellent companions – reliable and devotees.

- English Pointer. This smooth-haired cop turned into the result of painstaking selection. In work consistently Spanish cops, several types of foxhounds, Bulldogs, Setters, Greyhounds and Old French Marriages. From all breeds english pointer took positive qualities that made the dog a successful hunter with an aristocratic appearance.

- Poodle Pointer. One of the hardiest dogs that can to hunt in the most difficult conditions. This hybrid breed turned out by crossing a poodle and a pointer, from which its representatives inherited high intelligence and excellent hunting skills. Dog not only active and courageous, but also capable thanks to the mind and savvy, outsmart any beast.

- French Gascon Pointer. Compared to previous breeds, these dogs are not so popular that in no case belittles their working abilities. Pointers from France are excellent take a stand, work confidently before and after shots, and perfectly apportion and sensitively take a trace.

The most popular breeds among greyhounds
Representatives of these breeds were used to persecute the beast, i.e. hunting without a gun. According to the dictionary, “greyhound” means – agile, agile, fast, and these dogs are fully consistent with this. They are run very fast, hardy and better than others are suitable for work in an open area. Their vision is arranged in such a way that able to cover a large area without losing sight of pursued prey. These include:
- Afghan hound. Three times the indigenous name of this ancient breeds – bakhmul, these dogs were actively used for hunting ungulates – mountain goats, rams, as well as feline, foxes and wolves. “Afghans” are able to work in pairs, alone, rarely in a pack. Today this breed not only has not lost its popularity, but also successfully leads in various ratings, most often associated with the most beautiful dogs, and also shows off at the show rings.

- Irish Wolfhound. The ancestors of these giants are dogs, dwelling in the Celtic tribes. For a long time, practically about them nothing was known, and the breed was slowly disappearing, however, interest in wolfhounds erupted in the 19th century and allowed her recover. The representatives of the breed are very tall, muscular, efficient and brave. Previously, even a couple of such guards could repel a herd from a pack of wolves.

- Italian greyhound. This small greyhound of Italian origin more often start as a pet, however, hunting instincts in Italian greyhound in the blood. It was once used to hunt rabbits, but more often these lovely creatures, since the time of the Pharaohs, reclined on pillows of royal persons and nobles.

- Polish Greyhound (Hart). These are dogs with traditional greyhounds. appearance – lean, graceful body and narrow muzzle. Them hunting skills allow you to use dogs to hunt different animals – hares, foxes, roe deer and wolves. The horty ones are very hardy, strong dogs that can also be good companions.

- Russian canine greyhound. Representatives of this breed were once very popular in their homeland, and although they are found today quite rarely, attract the attention of others. Russian canine the greyhound is second only to the Irish Wolfhound, beautiful, aristocratic. They were used as an etching dog on various animals, as well as in hunting for wolves.

- Whippet. This little English greyhound is the standard of elegance, different speed, courage and endurance. The breed was brought to Great Britain, using greyhound and Italian greyhound, specially for hunting hare and rabbits, these dogs are excellent coped with their duties.

Spaniels – Spanish hunters
Many will agree that representatives of this group are unusually adorable. The first spaniels came from Spain, where they were used to catch poultry from dense thickets. Later appeared several pedigree species that had particular orientation: some hunted on land, others got name “water”. Spaniels include:
- English Cocker Spaniel. Small dogs compact, harmoniously folded, active and fun. Cockers are very friendly handsome with a long, silky coat, which often start up as pets, and I must say, this breed is pretty popular all over the world.

- American Cocker Spaniel. Another charming pet whose ancestor was the English cocker. During selection, special attention was paid to the appearance of the dogs, so the animals turned out unusually beautiful. Today they are more common during show programs, rather than hunting. They are recommended to start as family dogs, they get along with children and other domestic pets.

- Russian hunting spaniel. Popular at home this breed is so and did not receive recognition from the International Cynological Association. Russian hunting spaniels were bred for hunting, so dogs possess innate working qualities, they are strong, active and need compulsory training. Taking such a pet into the house, without subsequent hunting trips, it is necessary to provide it daily long, active walks.

- Irish Water Spaniel. This curly dog is the most a major representative in his group. The breed was bred at 19 century, and still uses one standard, it was not divided into exhibition and working type. It is not known for certain, but in breeding “Afghans” participated, signs of which are visible in appearance Irish Water Spaniel.

Dachshunds – Short-Footed Hunters
Small doggies with an easily recognizable appearance – elongated body and short, slightly curved legs, used to rut almost any beast – from hares to deer. They successfully showed themselves when hunting boars, roe deer, wolves. 
Going along the trail of a large beast, the dachshund does not cause animal fear, and it plays into the hands of the little hunter. Doggie stops him, successfully dodges, teases him, attracting Attention. The hunter focuses on the barking of the pet and goes on prey.
Dachshund is very good at tracking down animals on earth, but the owner should not be distracted, since the doggie can be too carried away and not respond. As for animals climbing trees, the dog drives them and barks, being under a tree.
Representatives of the breed are divided into several types – by type wool coat:
- smooth-haired;

- wirecoat;

- long-haired.

In addition, in each form there are three sizes:
- standard – larger than other types;

- dwarf – have average dimensions;

- rabbit – the smallest of the dachshunds.

Not all pedigree species formed naturally In most cases, people carried out breeding work. Them hunting abilities, features of appearance and general character traits depend on what was laid during the activity dog handlers.
Terriers – burrow hunters
This is a fairly large group of breeds, the first of which were “burrow” dogs intended for hunting animals living in burrows, as well as for the extermination of rodents. Some of the terriers kept in warehouses, ships, warehouses, protecting them from rats and other small pests.
Today, the group of breeds has grown, in addition to hunting, appeared decorative and service terriers and some of them use very popular:
- Airedale. These curly, charming dogs appeared in 19 century in England. The creators of the breed pursued a goal get the right dog, successful in hunting water animals. Researchers are still arguing about the ancestors of the Airedale terriers, but most of them believe that the hounds participated in the selection otterhounds, black and tan terriers and otterhounds. Representatives the breeds are compact, muscular, suitable for housing conditions, since they practically do not fade.

- Irish Terrier. Among other terriers, he is considered typical. representative. Like the previous breed, the “Irish” were bred in 19th century and almost immediately became widespread. Later on hitting to Russia, they immediately interested local dog handlers and here actively engaged in their breeding. Being originally a Pied Piper, dogs of this breed have successfully changed occupation, becoming excellent security guards and companions.

- Yagdterrier. This German hunting terrier is bright representative among hunters. He helps the hunter to get burrowing animal: badger, raccoon, foxes. Highest Efficiency is given by a pair of yagd terriers or terriers paired with a dachshund. In addition, they show themselves well in the hunt for wild boars – the dog is not able to overcome so many large animals, but he can hold.

Hounds – swift, active, hardy
Hounds are a special group of hunting dogs intended for detecting game and rutting it along the trail with a bay bark. Considering a similar description, a hot dog with long paws, all kind of talking about his activity and lightning fast reactions. However, not all representatives of the group look like that, dogs are often so original that you won’t think that it’s beagle:
- Basset Hound. Here is a vivid representative of a canine whose appearance in no way reflects the essence. Big dog with short paws, overweight body and a phlegmatic look. Basset Hound Smelling game literally transforms, its pretense of laziness disappears, and the dog becomes very mobile and gambling.

- Venus. This is a breed of small Anglo-French hounds that They need compulsory hunting trips. Dogs are different endurance, high performance, quick response. Them they take both small and large animals for hunting, moreover, they show high results in almost terrain with different conditions.

- Sabueso. This hound native to Spain is versatile hunter, as she is able to work not only on a hare, but also successfully drives other animals: foxes, wild boars, wolves. Such a pet able to work in the pack, but still more often he is a couple to the hunter. About Sabuezo they say that the dog is tireless, and, indeed, a dog can chase prey for hours, and by take a short break, continue to drive her.

- Beagle In the US and the UK have long been appreciated these small, funny and gambling hounds, but also in our country interest in them appears. Beagle – a hound that works great by rabbit, hare, fox, and thanks to the excellent scent, such a pet quite easily detects prey.

Retriever – hunters who love the water element
Representatives of this breed were originally used for hunting waterfowl – ducks, geese, coots, but also on land they could give a head start. Here they are good at working with pheasants, quails, woodcocks, as well as wood grouse and black grouse. Their working qualities not enough for the dog to catch a hare, however, he can catch up on the hunter.
If the pet is trained, then he can do the work of the cops, and, in addition, they create a beautiful tandem. Among retriever hunters distinguish:
- Labrador Retriever. A highly intelligent hunter who can not only find the beast, but can also wait for the hunter, then effectively raise the game. And after the shot it’s perfect to file it, without tooth damage. Labrador has good manners, not barks at a beast or a stranger. Difficulties may arise with shots, some dogs of this breed are afraid of them.

- Golden retriever. One of the most popular breeds, representatives of which are rarely used in hunting today. Most often they are used as companions, guides, rescue dogs, and their charming appearance makes them frequent exhibitors.

There are several more breeds belonging to this species, but according to popularity, they are significantly inferior to Labradors and Goldens.
Hunting dogs – a special caste, animals possessing unique skills that they inherited from their ancestors. At some of them are more pronounced, while others were able to easily retrain, but this must be taken into account, acquiring a puppy of a similar breed.
