The Many Faces of Hunting Dogs - Family - Pets

The Many Faces of Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs have been part of our social structure for literally thousands of years. In the early days of canine and man joint hunting expeditions, large Mastiff type dogs were used by Greeks and then the Romans to track escaped prisoners and army deserters, to hunt and kill predators such as lions, bears, and wolves, and to run down faster game until human hunters could finish the job off. The relationship between man and his hunting dog is a strong one, and one that continues to this very day in almost all regions of the world.

There are essentially three types of hunting dogs, and many sub varieties within each type. The most ancient type of hunting dog is a Sighthound. These dogs have a very particular body structure, including elongated heads and noses to enable better visual acuity. Their legs are long and lean, and their bodies are contoured in such a way as to allow the dog to be extremely fast on its feet. A sighthound works by pinpointing prey from afar, before they prey has noticed the hunter or the dog. The sighthound then very quietly stalks its prey- much in the same crouched, stealthy way that large felines hunt. When close enough, the sighthound will burst from cover and quickly capture and kill its prey. Sighthounds include Greyhounds, Whippets, Borzoi, and Salukis. As a testament to their effectiveness, Salukis have been hunting for man for well over 5,000 years.

Another type of hunting dog, and perhaps the most widely utilized in modern times, is the Gundog. These dogs are trained to work very closely with their hunter, and perform a wide variety of tasks. The most popular of these is the Spaniel. Spaniels are a highly adapted hunting dog. They methodically locate game, flush it, run it to ground or tree, and in some cases retrieve it safely to their master. Hunting dogs of the Spaniel type include English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Water Spaniels, and the Sussex and Boykin Spaniels.

Retrievers are almost as equally popular, and are primarily used to retrieve waterfowl. A retrievers main duty is to retrieve game that has been shot down, typically over water. The retrievers oily coat help it to repel water, and its webbed toes make it an excellent swimmer. Retriever types include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and Flat-Coated Retrievers. However, retrievers also include water dogs that may have significant differences in appearance and coat types, but generally work and function in the same manner. Examples of these include Otter Hounds, Poodles, and Portuguese Water Dogs.

Another popular and hard working gundog is the Pointer. A pointers chief duty is to locate game discreetly, and point at it until a hunter arrives. This involves extreme discipline, and the dog may be required to remain on point for quite some time. When the hunter arrives, the game is flushed and killed. Pointer types include German Shorthair Pointers, English Pointers, Irish Setters, English Setters, and Gordon Setters.

Two other major types of hunting dogs are Terriers and Curs. Terriers have been used for hundreds of years to hunt rats and other varmints, rabbits, and most small to medium sized mammals. They locate and track their prey, and often give chase into dens and other animal lairs, even those underground, and return triumphant. Terriers can even be trained to hold their prey and not kill it while waiting for their master to arrive. Examples of Terrier breed include Bull Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Airedale Terriers, and many more. Curs, on the other hand, are bred entirely to kill large game. Curs are exceptionally fast dogs, and have a deep, baying sort of bark that alerts their hunters to their location. Curs often work in groups to bring down prey such as mountain lions and cougars, boars, and even bears. Types of Curs include Catahoula Curs, Black Mouth Curs, and the Leopard Cur.

The hunting dogs listed here are only a small fraction of the types of dogs actually used, and primarily represent American favorites. However, there are many more breeds and types of hunting dogs that are available around the world; therefore, intense study is recommended prior to choosing one for yourself. Happy Hunting!

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