While many different breeds are capable of hunting various game, here is a list of dog breeds that are notorious hunting dogs, along with the prey that they are known best for capturing.
The Labrador Retriever: Duck Hunters
One thing is for certain, the Labrador Retriever is known as the best all-around waterfowl dog, hands down. Through the years, Labradors were bred for marking, retrieving and delivering waterfowl directly to a hunter’s hand. Here is how the Labrador is suited physically to duck hunting. The Labrador has a double coat to keep him warm, webbed feet, a thick tail like an otter and a compact muscular body.
Dogo Argentino: Hog Hunters
Ready to go hog hunting? Whether you decide to go night hunting or hunting during the day, the Dogo Argentino can be your best friend. It has massive jaws and a muscular body, which is perfect for taking down a full-sized wild boar. As a side note, the Dogo Argentino makes an excellent guard dog. He is known to protect his master to his death. Bred to hunt big game in Argentina, Dogo Argentino is excellent at hunting cougars and wild boars.
The Beagle: Rabbit Hunters
Their excitement and excessive barking make the beagle a fun and spirit-filled rabbit hunter. They are great for chasing rabbits in a circle, to give the hunter a chance at a good shot. According to Outdoor Life, the Beagle has been used for hunting small game for the last 200 years. They are known for having one of the best noses in the canine world. The Beagle’s speed and agility, along with their propensity to bark make them easy to track and your best friend for hunting rabbits.
Appalachian Turkey Dogs
Exactly as the name suggests, if you are looking for a Thanksgiving bird, the Appalachian Turkey Dog is a great hunting companion. What breeds make up an Appalachian Turkey Dog? They are a mix of a setter, pointer and Plott hound. What make them such a great choice for turkey hunting is a “drive for feathers,” stamina, speed and strong prey drive. They are good at scattering birds in all directions so that the group goes into singles for the hunter to shoot.
The American Foxhound: Deer Hunters
The Foxhound has a rich American history, as it was George Washington’s favorite dog. As the name suggests, they were originally used for fox hunting. Today, they are known best for running deer drives in the Maryland and Virginia area. Running hounds, the American Foxhound loves the chase. They have plenty of energy and stamina and a good hunting nose.
Mountain Cur: Squirrel Hunters
Though almost every dog enjoys chasing squirrels, the Mountain Cur are bred to do so. Outdoor Life magazine explains that the Mountain Cur dominate the Squirrel Dog World Championship. Also used for hunting and protection, the Mountain Cur was brought over by European Settlers who moved into Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Arkansas.