The Best Hunting Dogs, Matched to the Game You Hunt

Side by side

Figures are from AKC breed profiles. Pointer: 23 to 28 inches, 45 to 75 pounds, 12 to 15 years. German Wirehaired Pointer: 22 to 26 inches, 50 to 70 pounds, 14 to 16 years. English Springer Spaniel: about 19 to 20 inches, 40 to 50 pounds, 12 to 14 years. Boykin Spaniel: 14 to 18 inches, 25 to 40 pounds, 10 to 15 years. Labrador Retriever: 21.5 to 24.5 inches, 55 to 80 pounds, 11 to 13 years. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: 17 to 21 inches, 35 to 50 pounds, 12 to 14 years.

Treeing Walker Coonhound: 20 to 27 inches, 50 to 70 pounds, 12 to 13 years. Norwegian Elkhound: about 19.5 to 20.5 inches, 48 to 55 pounds, 12 to 15 years. Jobs: pointers locate, spaniels flush, retrievers fetch, hounds track and tree, spitz dogs bay big game. Energy: high for all of them. Best for: hunters who will also train, walk and play with the dog every day of the off-season.

Dogs that find and point game

The AKC describes the Pointer as a noble, medium-sized dog that has pointed out game since about 1650, with hunting instincts that can show at two months old. The German Wirehaired Pointer suits harsh terrain on land and water; its wiry coat acts like armor against thorns and weather and is somewhat waterproof. Both are tall, athletic dogs built to cover ground.

The German Shorthaired Pointer, No. 9 in AKC popularity, is a versatile hunter that VCA calls energetic and protective, gentle with children but possibly too boisterous for small ones. VCA says it needs a long walk or, better, a long jog daily, a well-fenced yard, and is not a breed for an inactive owner; hunting is its favorite exercise, with swimming and retrieving close behind.

Dogs that flush birds

Spaniels were bred to push birds into the air. The AKC calls the English Springer Spaniel an excellent hunting partner despite its moderate size. VCA describes Springers as exuberant, eager to please and quick to learn, but excitable and easily distracted, good with other dogs and fond of retrieving and swimming. Their feathered coats need regular grooming after days in the field.

The Irish Water Spaniel, the tallest spaniel, has a water-repellent curly coat for flushing waterfowl in rough country. The Boykin Spaniel is an American original whose compact size suits a small boat, and the AKC notes it will flush and retrieve. For a hunter who works marshes from a canoe or jon boat, a Boykin's size is a real advantage.

Dogs that retrieve

Retrievers were bred to bring back downed birds, especially waterfowl. The AKC describes the Labrador as energetic, intelligent and eager to please, with a short, waterproof coat that suits cold water. VCA adds that Labs need significant daily exercise, shed heavily and are prone to weight gain, which worsens joint disease, so keeping a hunting Lab lean in the off-season matters.

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a specialist. The AKC explains that its red, foxlike look draws curious ducks within range, a technique called tolling, and the dog then retrieves them. At 35 to 50 pounds it is smaller and quicker than a Lab. Ask breeders about hip and eye screening for any retriever headed for hard field work.

Hounds and big-game dogs

For small game, the AKC points to the Treeing Walker Coonhound, which trails raccoons, trees them and uses its voice to signal the find, and the Pharaoh Hound, a sighthound that chases rabbits and works with ferrets to corner them. Expect hounds to be loud and to follow their noses; secure fencing, a well-fitted collar and reliable leash habits are essential.

For deer, moose or bear, the AKC names the Norwegian Elkhound, which has hunted since Viking times and holds big game at bay until the hunter arrives, and the Karelian Bear Dog, a fearless spitz that hunts silently and barks only once it has found its quarry. Both are bold, independent and best with experienced handlers.

Living with a hunting dog between seasons

A hunting breed does not switch off when the season ends. Plan for daily running, retrieving, swimming or scent work, plus regular training sessions to keep field skills sharp. Without that, VCA warns, breeds like the German Shorthaired Pointer can become overactive and destructive. A tired, trained hunting dog is usually a calm house dog.

Before and after the season, book a vet check: working dogs pick up cuts, foxtails, ear infections and tick-borne disease, and your vet can advise on vaccines and parasite prevention for the areas you hunt. Check paws, ears and coat after every outing, carry water and a basic first-aid kit, and use a blaze-orange vest so other hunters can see your dog. Browse hunting dog collars with a GPS tracker for dogs that range out of sight, and a dog life jacket for water work.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.