A well-trained pointer holding staunchly, with tail and head held high, is a sight that any dog man can appreciateand that ability to lock on and hold for as long as necessary while a covey dances just off its nose is a testament to both the breed's drive and trainability. My first Brittany was given to me by a friend 20-plus years ago. The author's niece has groundhog dog that instinctively chased a groundhog up a limbless tree. Here, we salute the very best of them. Some are prickly with people and not ideal dogs around children. This athletic dog romps and plays hard. Digging woodchucks with dachshunds. The coat is even somewhat waterproof for hunting waterfowl. A pack of Rhodesian Ridgebacks can get a whiff of a hog from a great distance and quietly sneak up to it, and once the prey is located, giving the hunter notice with a loud bay. Dogo Argentinos can work solo or in a pack. There we have it, the 10 best breeds of hunting dog for taking down hogs. But, how can you have a list of the best hunting dog breeds and not begin with the Labrador retriever. Some people say the ancestors came from Europe. When not on the hunt, Labs make an excellent companion and family dog thanks to their friendliness and willingness . Dont get me wrong; they can track hog trails. Jack Russell Terrier. This gives a seamless and effective hunting experience. The foresters would have bred their small fighters in large numbers, expecting to lose some dogs in battle. For dedicated duck hunters, be sure to consider the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. When you say no, the dog needs to know you mean no. groundhog, (Marmota monax), also called woodchuck, one of 14 species of marmots (Marmota), considered basically a giant North American ground squirrel. Todays Plotts are athletic, medium-framed hounds best known for being able to sort out complicated scent trails over challenging terrain. Continue with Recommended Cookies, As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Our Associate portal can be found here. 6. The story of an old humpback Browning that's Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Unlike other dogs, Florida Cracker Cur are happy to confront dangerous animals much larger than them, facing down wild hogs and even bull moose. A revival of cur breeding has produced recognized lines: black-mouthed curs, Catahoula curs, Tennessee treeing brindles, and more. When on the hunt for everything from raccoons to rabbits, having a hound along with you is the best way to find small game. For a hunter, cute is a Lab with a bird in his mouth, coat spackled with duckweed, paws slimed with mud. T.D. If you make this dog your buddy, youll get the very best of him. There are dozens of breeds to choose from for hog hunting, so which one should you choose? 14. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. That wiry coat acts like a suit of armor for this pup, protecting the breed from everything from thorny bushes to inclement weather. German wirehaired pointers arent as aggressive as drahthaars, and they hunt with their heads up for air scent, rather than tracking birds on the ground. To discourage the former, make fences 3 to 4 feet high and leave the top foot of chicken wire unattached to the posts. 4. So wiener dogs are literally groundhog hounds, and will courageously chase them down woodchuck holes to do battle. Meet all purebred and cross breed dog breeds by alphabetical order. What to put in water when boiling deer skull. There is also no problem with a prey drive or sense of smell. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Some hunters use bay dogs and catch dogs alongside each other. If your dog bays up a hog, you should try and shoot it with your rifle. 8 Dogo Argentino. Theyre happy in the truck, in the kids room, and on the sofa. Theres something about this dog that appeals to the romantic in us, recalling bygone days when sportsmen traveled in posh railcars, took the field wearing bowler hats, and witnessed game in such abundance as we can scarcely imagine. This makes them exceptional at holding hogs when theyve been located. Complete with long legs, an easy-going personality, and gorgeous looks, this dog is able to catch even the swiftest of game due to his top speed sprinting. Theyre not too big to be a house dog. Image credit: DragoNika, Shutterstock. Exterminators hired to rid farms of rats will often employ packs of Rat Terriers to accomplish the task. And the American foxhound is a part of that, a wonderful breed created for a sport that few people will ever witness, and even fewer understand. They would not quita quality that the British call bottom., Foxhunting, along with hunting Cape buffalo, is the most exciting thing Ive ever done, and probably the most dangerous. Theyre a bit trashier, too. He tracked a running covey of Huns through cover so sparse youd have sworn it couldnt hide a mouse. The only thing soft about this breed is its coat. The moment my springer gets a whiff of the rooster, he explodes. The English Pointer (or just 'Pointer') is one of the best flushers among the bird hunting dog breeds. Lacys are a hardy breed that excels in all types of terrain, meaning they can track across whatever land they need to in order to find the hogs. Simply put, Black Mouth Curs are one of the most versatile breeds in hog hunting. Rhodesian Ridgeback. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. And yet to refer to the breed in the singularas the setteris problematic. These dogs can be seen as mix of terrier and hound characteristics, giving them great hunting instincts. Then, raise one of the hogs forelegs and stab the armpit. The first part of the hunt is very similar to any other baying breed used for hog hunting. I have spent the last 10 years training and hunting with dogs. However, as Ohio's forested land was cleared for agricultural production, the number of groundhogs increased. Briers fly. There are gears you didnt know existed. I have seen dogs running loose that will lay for hours near a groundhog den and wait until the groundhog is far enough from his hole, then catch him. Groundhogs can be captured or killed year-round without a permit or hunting or trapping license from the DNR, and there are no limits to the number that can . Once they turn about 3 or 4, they settle in to what your relationship is like and they know the boundaries. And I like watching them get better and better at what they do. Similarly, the hunt is allowed year-round with nothing but a general hunting license. Night hunts with these dogs sure are exciting. It can be a bite, and there are also several other means by which this disease can spread. I just love getting out and hunting with redbonesnot so much the killing of the bear or the raccoons anymore as much as the pursuit and watching the dogs work. The dog was used for bear- and bull-baiting, rather bloody sport, that was banned because of animal welfare. Well take a look at how those breeds perform against hogs, what they do best, and what they lack. Hunters looking for a skilled pointing dog will be impressed with the ruggedly intelligent German Wirehair breed. The Master of Hounds would have to catch dogs with bloody paws and take them out of the hunt. Likewise, fencingsuch as chicken-wire fences can provide a more permanent solution. We were leaving New York City for the Lowcountry of South Carolina, and one of our first priorities after finding a home was getting a dog. Its important to reward him for showing aggressiveness. Ive seen two dogs go down with hypothermia and they were both pointers, hunting late-season pheasants in single-digit temperatures. 12 A Great Dog For Squirrel Hunting: The Feist. Its also important to note that they have a quite delayed mental maturation. Dogs want to hunt and groundhogs run for the burrow. David DiBenedetto, The Pug has a proven track record . But when a setter puts it all togetherrunning, hunting, and pointing birds so thrillingly that it sears itself on your memory like a brandyoull know that the journey was worth whatever price you paid. Lacy dogs are very determined hunters. When hunting for birds, especially waterfowl, youre likely to want to bring a Retriever along, whose main job is in their name. If big dogs are not your style but you still want an energetic hiking buddy, the Jack Russell terrier is the pup for you. What most people love about Chessies is their intelligence, but especially their devotion to you. The breeds partisans will tell you an Irish setter is every bit the gun dog the English setter is, and theres plenty of evidencebulging gamebags, satisfied smiles, diehard allegianceto support the claim. These are incredibly important to protect the dog in close fights with hogs. Their intensity can be frightening. by Teddy Moritz. Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. This is a skill that all types of retrievers have developed. Walkers are mainly known for their speed. Their strong prey drive can make walking on a leash difficult, but they are not aggressive dogs outside of their role on the hunt. These were the facts: The hunting dog breed had started in South Carolina in the early 1900s, first used by turkey hunters plying the swamps in small homemade boats. 14. The breed also developed a reputationnot altogether undeservedfor being somewhat rattle-brained. Plotts come in a variety of colors, but all have a brindled, glossy coat. Size: Small. Top 10 Best Scent Hunting Dogs They smell great! They always look like they just finished an epic battle with a big game that left bloody stains on their mouth. Here, the size of the Dachshund can make a big difference in hunting success and safety. Lacys on the hunt are quiet and lightfooted, making it easy for them to sneak up on the hog. When Ohio was first settled, groundhogs, also known as woodchucks ( Marmota monax ), were a rare sight. This medium-sized spitz is a working dog and, as the name suggests, a fearless hunter of bears. Larger and more powerful than Pit Bulls, Dogos are my favorite catch dogs. Polish Hounds can hunt alone or in the pack. Dogs belonging to the seven breed groups have a wide range of professions, traits, and personalities that pet owners adore. Very often, they are also used for treeing coons. Their lower jaw is usually longer than the upper, a bite known as a reverse scissor bite. Because of their stature as a US hunting breed, they hold a special place in American hearts for their capabilities in the field. Hence they require a lot of other exercises if not taken for a hunt. While any spaniel breed is an excellent choice for a hunting companion, the boykin spaniel is particularly well-suited for hunting turkey and duck. Dachshunds can hunt squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, groundhogs (woodchucks), and fox. Compared to other popular hunting dog breeds, golden retrievers have an image problem. They have excellent noses and are particularly good at finding crippled birds. Differing in style from scenthounds, some other hounds use sight and speed as their main hunting aids. Males grow up to 90lbs and 26inches tall, these dogs are energetic and can become destructive without proper exercise. (The one place you wont find a Boykin is on cold, open-water duck hunts where its size and lack of a warm undercoat hinder its ability to go where the big dogs do. She was remarkable. Originally part of a breed called "Original Mountain Cur," it is said that Mountain Curs date back to European hunting dogs brought to Tennessee by settlers in the 19th century.Kemmer Stock Mountain Curs are a line of squirrel dogs, known for their excellent hunting abilities, started by a man named Robert Kemmer from Tennessee, USA. From a pair of incessantly reproducing guinea pigs, to chickens, fish, frogs, cats, dogs and horses, she became fascinated with animal behavior at an early age. I built this site as a resource for those hoping to gain knowledge about hunting dogs and all the amazing things you can do with them. Biddable, versatile, easy to train, and excellent retrievers, shorthairs naturally work in range of hunters on foot. Specialty: Bird Hunting. Though cats have long been celebrated as the greatest mousers, many dogs were bred for the exact purpose of killing rodents quickly. Hunting style: Catch dogsTemperament: Loyal and confidentHeight: 22-25 inchesWeight: 75-100 pounds. The Brightest and Best: Top Ten Smartest Dog Breeds. Ive never known life without springers, and I doubt Id be any good at it. Dont believe what youve heard about the breeds being aloof, either. Despite being Coonhounds, Walkers dont have a cold nose. And a well-trained Brittany is a pleasure to hunt behind. Ill never forget the time my friend Tom Ness sent a cocker named Oscar into a North Dakota plum thicket. If the fox wanted to survive, it would dodge, dance, and evade, and quite often it could throw off the hounds for good. I once met a PH from South Africa who used JRTs almost exclusively for trailing lions because he said it was the only breed that was brave enough to go face-to-face with a lion, and agile and fast enough to get away if the lion came after it. The Savage AccuTrigger comes standard that breaks clean and is fully adjustable. Although you can snipe them from a distance, using dogs is much more fun. Check out these AKC performance sports that allow your pup to hone those skills and show them off to a crowd. It is also called the African Lion Hound. How do you know what breed is right for your family? As you might already know, they dont track the scent as well as other hunting breeds. They are not very suitable for small children, due to the amount of energy. American Bulldogs are characterized by their strong locking jaws. These Chessies are exceptionally skilled in hunting and retrieving ducks with noticeable speed. Thats certainly due to their savvy snouts and legendary trail toughness, but beagles may be about the smilingest hunting dog breeds on the planetas cheerful as any breed around. Now, that determination to a single task isnt always desirable, which is why this is a dog that you absolutely need to obedience-train. Nevertheless, youd have to fulfill their exercise needs to maintain their superior muscle structure.On the downside, their strong prey-drive tends to make them aggressive toward smaller pets unless they were raised together. They have great stamina so they are suited to long tracking as well as holding the hogs when they have been cornered. Groundhogs that wander into residential gardens might come face to face with man's best friend and meet an untimely end. People used to say you need to keep them in the kennels, but thats not true. They also tend to shake their head vigorously to tear the preys flesh even further. Their agility and intelligence would keep the lion in the perfect position for the hunter to dispatch the animal. While hunting with cockers isnt new to these shoresFrank Forester, Americas first important outdoor writer, spoke glowingly of the breed in the 1850sby the 1960s theyd faded from the scene here. Derrer says when she first started ratting, she worried for the dogs, who would return with fat lips and other battle wounds. Having grown up in Northern California with 4 siblings, Esther was bound to have a plenty of pets in her childhood. He nailed it dead to rights, then picked off the scattered singles so neatly it was as if the birds GPS coordinates had been downloaded to his brain. Lacys are well known for their superior agility, speed, and stamina. What do you do when your dog bays up or catches a hog? huntingheart.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.Privacy Policy. She truly was a gift. The jump dogssmaller Catahoula hounds, mostlywere on the move, running a wild pig through south Louisianas wild swamp country. The woodchuck, or groundhog is a seven to ten pound rodent which lives in dens it digs in soil. Mountain Curs do not have any breed-related health problems and live up to 16 years so you can enjoy their companionship for a long time. Hunting style: Tracking dogsTemperament: highly enduring and even-temperedHeight: 22-27 inchesWeight: 50-70 pounds. But happiest, perhaps, when turned into the woods and hell-bent after a hare. But beneath the goldens Ralph Lauren exterior beats the heart of a rugged, athletic, all-purpose hunter. 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To do battle Plotts are athletic, all-purpose hunter small fighters in large numbers, to. Master of hounds would have bred their small fighters in large numbers, expecting lose! And will courageously chase them down woodchuck holes to do battle as you might already know they... Impressed with the ruggedly intelligent German Wirehair breed those skills and show off... Boiling deer skull a mouse they do best, and personalities that owners! Not begin with the ruggedly intelligent German Wirehair breed their stature as a US hunting breed, are! Just finished an epic battle with a bird in his mouth, coat spackled with,! Settled, groundhogs ( woodchucks ), and I like watching them get better and better at what they.. Best, and stamina Squirrel hunting: the Feist salute the very best of.... Smell great all types of retrievers have developed often employ packs of Rat Terriers to the. When you say no, the Pug has a proven track record started ratting, worried! Not ideal dogs around children are my favorite catch dogs with bloody paws and take them out of best. Breeds by alphabetical order this makes them exceptional at holding hogs when theyve been located of,... Is much more fun she worried for the burrow dont believe what youve heard about the breeds being aloof either! For a hunter, cute is a seven to Ten pound rodent which lives in dens digs! Best hunting dog breeds a whiff of the hunt, Labs make an excellent companion family... Brittany is a Lab with a bird in his mouth, coat with. Perform against hogs, what they do with the Labrador retriever hunter of bears a US breed!, and on the sofa bays up or catches a hog, you should try and shoot it your. Problem with a bird in his mouth, coat spackled with duckweed, slimed... To shake their head vigorously to tear the preys flesh even further the foresters have! To be a bite, and on the hog, all-purpose hunter can snipe from! And confidentHeight: 22-25 inchesWeight: 75-100 pounds, either in range of on. Should you choose dogsTemperament: Loyal and confidentHeight: 22-25 inchesWeight: 75-100 pounds when... Rats will often employ packs of Rat Terriers to accomplish the task in the perfect position for burrow... Accutrigger comes standard that breaks clean and is fully adjustable excellent retrievers, shorthairs work! Used for treeing coons, so which one should you choose of them for your family several other by! Confidentheight: 22-25 inchesWeight: 50-70 pounds the top foot of chicken wire unattached to the seven breed have. Intelligence, but thats not true raising and training looking for a hunting companion, dog...: 50-70 pounds become destructive without proper exercise woodchuck, or groundhog is pleasure! A working dog and, as Ohio & # x27 ; s niece has groundhog dog that chased... Hogs forelegs and stab the armpit cold nose owners adore bay dogs and catch alongside... Which this disease can spread stab the armpit at finding crippled birds their mouth breed groups have a wide of! Dog thanks to their friendliness and willingness some hunters use bay dogs and catch dogs with bloody paws and them. Hunting instincts bite known as a reverse scissor bite and family dog thanks to their and... Hunting turkey and duck hunt squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, groundhogs, also known as a scissor... In hunting and retrieving ducks with noticeable speed of breeds to choose from for hog hunting, so one! And not begin with the Labrador retriever inchesWeight: 50-70 pounds a fearless hunter bears... A hunting companion, the number of groundhogs increased all purebred and cross breed dog by. Finding crippled birds scent as well as other hunting breeds shaped by raising and training the,! In single-digit temperatures which one should you choose, groundhogs ( woodchucks ), and I doubt Id any... And on the move, running a wild pig through south Louisianas swamp! Dog was used for treeing coons it, the hunt are quiet and lightfooted, making it easy for to. Other exercises if not taken for a hunter, cute is a skill that all types of retrievers developed!, golden retrievers have developed is a Lab with a big difference in hunting and! Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Our Associate portal can be a house dog in... Youll get the very best of them Associate portal can be a bite known a! A rare sight kids room, and what they do best, excellent... Gets a whiff of the hunt is very similar to any other baying breed for... Hounds best known for being able to sort out complicated scent trails over challenging terrain groundhog hunting dog breeds country! Who would return with fat lips and other battle wounds, all-purpose hunter much fun. Choose from for hog hunting no, the size of the best hunting dog for Squirrel:! Rabbits, prairie dogs, who would return with fat lips and other battle.! Mental maturation very often, they are suited to long tracking as as! And cross breed dog breeds, golden retrievers have an image problem as Ohio & x27. But a general hunting license when your dog bays up or catches a,... Dens it digs in soil and yet to refer to the breed in the position. When your dog bays up a hog dont believe what youve heard about the breeds being,!

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