Hunting Breeds and Behaviors

If you don't know a Scenthound from a Sighthound, or understand why your pup regularly points her paw, it's time to read up on hunting dog behavior.

Although dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they are direct descendants from their wild cousin, the wolf, and are natural hunters. Consequently, many behavioral traits that are seen in wolves are also present in dogs. This behavior can prove to be quite disconcerting, for instance, if your dog brings home a dead squirrel, rabbit, bird or worse still, the neighbor's cat.

But just as some dogs are more inclined to guard and others to herd, some feel the thrill of the chase. This may lead them astray in search of that elusive fox, or tempt them to dig up your garden tracking that gopher, or necessitate them to run off the high energy they would otherwise be using in the hunt.

You can learn to rein in your dog's hunting instinct with patience, training, several hours of aerobic exercise daily, and constant reminders that you are the pack leader and their role is to follow you.

Sporting Dogs -- Sight and Scent Trackers Extraordinaire

Certain breeds are specifically bred for hunting. These breeds are among the most cooperative in obedience training and are generally friendly and outgoing. They include:

• Spaniels: Bred to pick up ground scents and flush birds out of hiding, spaniels have been used to hunt land birds such as pheasants and quail. Spaniels are well suited for working through undergrowth or over marshy terrain.
Breeds include the Brittany Spaniel, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, and Irish Water Spaniel.
• Setters: Bred to locate game birds from body scents in the air – then stop and signal by "setting" (crouching down) – setters approach game with a sinuous weaving or twisting motion, as their tails beat from side to side with increasing swiftness. This rhythmic tail-swing pattern alerts the hunter to anticipate when the bird will break cover and take flight. Breeds include English Setters, Irish Setters, and Gordon Setters.
• Pointers: Bred to locate game birds from body scents in the air, then stop and wait by "pointing," pointers have the ability to move in a very slow, precise, and silent manner. Pointers are used for hunting on land and in water. Sometimes hunters use two dogs as a team to triangulate their target – the position where the lines of sight from the two dogs cross marks the exact location of the quarry. Good pointers can hold a point for an hour or more if necessary. Breeds include German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Weimaraners, Vizlas, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.
• Retrievers: Used to retrieve waterfowl, retrievers possess an amazing ability to mark a trajectory and pinpoint where an object will fall. Breeds include Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly-Coated Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers.
• Hounds: Bred to hunt land mammals, Hounds are not naturally aggressive. Two of the main groups are comprised of Scenthounds (bred to hunt by scent) and Sighthounds (bred to hunt by sight). Scenthounds include Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, and Scottish Deerhounds. Sighthounds include Irish Wolfhounds, Afghans, Greyhounds, Whippets, and Salukis. The larger of these breeds need lots of exercise or space.

Owner Know Thy Breed
Knowledge of a breed's instinctive intelligence and the types of triggers that set off certain behaviors will inform you on how to best train your pet. Sighthounds, for example, chase things that move so it wouldn't be a great idea to train your whippet or greyhound in a crowded area, such as in a park where kids are running around.

Scenthounds, such as bloodhounds and beagles, tend to ignore visual stimuli, but are easily distracted by livestock or other dog scents. Because these breeds keep their noses to the ground, it's difficult to teach them hand signals. You'll want to bone up on your voice commands.

If you want to train your dog to hunt, a knowledgeable instructor will help you establish good leadership skills for your dog to follow, teach your dog manners, and give her the opportunity to practice self-restraint around people and other dogs. To prevent unwanted hunting incidents, limit her roaming opportunities and keep her in a fenced-in area when she's outside.

All hunting breeds need space to run, such as a park or large backyard. Long walks and regular games of Frisbee will help them burn off stored up energy.

Keep in mind, man took a wild creature that was naturally timid and afraid of humans, who scavenged and hunted to survive – and turned it into one who not only craves our company but depends on us for food and shelter. So, be sensitive to your dog's non-human characteristics and learn about her individual needs; your dog will fit right in, be raised and trained without much fuss, and grow into a comfortable companion and happy pet.