Dog Breeds That Hunt in Packs

Dogs are naturally pack animals. Dog breeds commonly used in hunting can easily be trained to hunt in packs because it's in their nature to act as part of a pack. For some breeds, hunting in packs is instinctual. Many breeds are particularly good at hunting, and some are known to specialize in hunting specific types of animals, such as waterfowl or boar.

  1. Feists

    • The Feist is a small dog similar in appearance to the Jack Russell Terrier. These small dogs hunt small game in packs. They will run up to a tree, put their front legs on the trunk and bark up to alert the hunter that there is game in the tree. These dogs don't need to be taught to hunt as part of a pack because it's their instinct to do so.

    Hounds

    • Scent hounds in particular make good pack hunters. They work by chasing prey into a tree or corner and then barking to alert the hunter of their location. Because many hounds have a booming bark, they're good at letting hunters know where they are.

    Pointers

    • All kinds of pointer dogs are known to be good hunting dogs and are often used to hunt upland game. They serve as forward scouts in a hunting team. A pack of pointers may be used to scout a wide hunting area, each dog going in a separate direction and alerting hunters when game is spotted. They do this by freezing into position a short distance from the game and using their bodies to "point" to the prey. The pointer is an even-tempered and well-mannered breed, so these dogs have an easy time getting along with other dogs in the hunting pack.

    Retrievers

    • Retrievers are perhaps best known as family dogs, but Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and other types of retrievers all make excellent pack hunting dogs. Like the pointer, retrievers tend to get along well with other dogs in their packs and work cooperatively. In addition, they are known to be highly intelligent, obedient and willing to please. They are particularly good at hunting waterfowl because these dogs function well in the water by genetic disposition, thanks to their webbed paws. They are also known for having "soft mouths," meaning that they can pick up objects without biting down hard on them.

    Setters

    • The setter breed is one of the oldest "gun dogs," according to the Hunting Dog. These four-legged champs are particularly good at searching for game. Because they rely on their sense of smell, they hunt quietly. This means that a pack of setters would be able to comb through a field without alerting game in the area of their presence. Like pointers, setters will freeze in position once they find game, waiting for the hunter to take aim. Unlike the pointer, which "points," a setter crouches or sits down in wait.

    Spaniels

    • A spaniel will stay close to a hunter so that he can follow easily on foot. They are good at retrieving downed prey because they too have soft mouths. However, the spaniel was also bred to sneak up on prey and then flush it out of hiding and into the open air to afford the hunter a clear shot. As a pack, they can do this much more effectively. Because they are intelligent and affectionate, they do well as part of a pack both on and off the hunt.