There are six main categories of hunting dogs that are further divided into many sub-categories based on the query and upon the dog’s skill set and capabilities. Keep in mind that, while many breeds can hunt several species of quarry, most have a specific strength that commit it to one form of hunting/query over another.
HoundsHounds are the most recognizable and eldest type of hunting dog. They have a powerful sense of smell and great speed, which they use to assist hunters by identifying the location of prey, like fox, hare, deer and elk. Hounds are further divided into two categories - sighthounds and scenthounds.
Sighthounds
Sighthounds, also known as gazehounds hunt by following prey at speed - never losing sight of it - until their companion can catch up to the game. These dogs are typically very fast, agile and have a keen sense of sight and smell. Popular sighthounds include the:
- Irish Wolfhound
- Italian Greyhound
- Greyhound
- Afghan Hound
- Whippet
ScenthoundsScenthounds follow prey by tracking its scent with their remarkably powerful nose. Scenthounds have great endurance but are not the fastest runners. Their method is to relentlessly track and follow game until the prey is cornered or too tired to flee. Popular scenthounds include the:
- Beagle
- Bloodhound
- Basset Hound
- Coonhound
- English Foxhound
Gun DogsGun dogs, sometimes known as bird dogs, are a type of hunting dog developed to assist hunters in finding game (primarily birds), rousting the game from its hiding spot and retrieving it from where it fell in the field. Gun dogs are divided into five categories - retrievers, flushing spaniels, setters, water dogs and pointers.
RetrieversA retriever is a type of gun dog developed primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage. They are distinguished from other gun dogs by their non-slip retrieval function, i.e., soft mouths and a great willingness to please, learn, obey and carry game in its mouth without biting into it. Popular retrievers include the:
- Golden Retriever
- Labrador Retriever
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Curly Coated Retriever
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
SettersA setter is a type of gundog distinguished by its systematic and methodical hunting method, in which it silently searches for game by scent then, when prey is encountered, freezes in place rather than chase after the game, typically foul, grouse and pheasant.
The name “setter” derives from the distinctive stance they assume upon finding their quarry - a sort of crouch or "set". Setters are born with a natural proclivity to hunting and show great excitement and interest in birds in general. Popular setters include the:
- English Setter
- Irish Setter
- Gordon Setter
- Irish Red and White Setter
PointersPointers are keen, hard-working gun dogs, distinguished by the characteristic stance it assumes when it has found prey, in which they stand perfectly still with one foot raised off the ground and point their nose in the direction of its query. Popular pointers include the:
- German Short-Haired Pointer
- English Pointer
- Vizsla
- Portuguese Pointer
- Pudelpointer
Flushing SpanielsFlushing Spaniels are gun dogs that are well adapted to find, flush and retrieve a variety of game from many types of habitat. Spaniels are distinguished by their high prey drive and remarkable ability to track the fall of the gamebirds shot from the sky, then retrieve those birds for their master. Though there are many types of Spaniels, there are ten different Spaniel breeds recognized as capable hunting companions, including the:
- American Water Spaniel
- English Springer Spaniel
- Clumber Spaniel
- Boykin Spaniel
- Cocker Spaniel
Water DogsA water dog is a type of hunting dog developed to flush and retrieve game from aquatic habitats. They have a natural proclivity for the water, a thick water-proof and an eagerness to jump in and swim. Some even have webbed feet. Popular water dogs include the:
- Standard Poodle
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Spanish Water Dog
- Barbet
- Otterhound