These Dogs Enjoy the Hunt! - Family - Pets

There is no doubt that dogs make awesome companions in our day to day lives. They accompany us in the car, on vacation, and even while we lounge around the house on those lazy days. Butour furry friends are capable of much more than that. Many dogs also make excellent companions in the wild and are even trained to assist those who hunt game.

Hunt1

Over the last several thousand years hunting has shifted from necessity to sport - but the importance of the role hunting dogs play has not changed. We no longer need the leather, fur and hides for shelter and clothing. We are no longer faced with the pressure of finding food to survive or facing certain starvation. We have evolved from spears, bow and arrow, and trapping to gunpowder and bullets. Despite these changes, what remain unaltered are our loveable hunting dogs providing a critical assist in our outdoor ventures.

Types of Hunting Dog

Hunting dogs are broken down into several categories and sub-categoriestoo many to name herebut the primary categories for hunting dogs are hounds and Gun dogs, although there are feists, terriers, and curs as well.

Hunt2

Gun dogs are further sub-categorized into Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, and Spaniels.

* Pointers are responsible for locating and pointing to the game, so that the hunter can shoot or flush the game out. * Retrievers are utilized for bringing the downed game back to the hunter, and are easily the most popular sub-category of Gun dog. * Spaniels are mainly used for flushing birds and game out into the open, allowing the hunter to get a clean look at the target (also known as driving). * Setters have been used as flushers and pointers. They earned their moniker because of the distinctive crouch position (or set) they take when preparing to spring into action.

Hounds are further sub-categorized into sight hounds, scent hounds, and lurchers.

* Scent hounds are used for tracking prey by smell and include Basset Hounds and Dachshunds. Their large nasal cavities allow them to pick up particles of scent-filled air and many of these breeds have a very loud, deep bark that they use while tracking. * Sight hounds have a high agility and visual acuity and are known for using a hunting method called coursing. Coursing involves locating an animal that is out of range and stalking it while remaining undetected. * Lurchers are commonly used to chase after small game such as rabbits, foxes, etc. but because of their speed and power can also be used to assist in bigger game hunting of deer or wild boar.

The world of hunting and hunting dogs is so expansive that there are several magazines and television shows specifically dedicated to the subject. There are even competitions such as those sponsored by the North American Gun Dog Association (NAGDA) and the National Bird Dog Challenge Association (NBDCA).

Thanks for tuning in for a super-brief overview on hunting dogs. Until next time - happy BARFing!

Automatic blog by iAutoblog