American Woodland Hunting Dogs

Hunting dogs are working companions that assist their owners. American game hunters use dogs to help find and retrieve their prey. Man and dog hunt in the woods and travel over uneven terrains; together, they work in and around water. American woodland dogs use their special skills to coordinate and enhance hunting excursions with their masters.

  1. Locating and Retrieving

    • A gun dog, or bird dog, heads into the woods with a hunter and his shotgun. This dog’s locating and retrieving skills are valuable hunting assets. When an experienced hunter reaches a field where birds are usually found, the dog is directed to a large circle. The dog begins working near his handler and goes back and forth. The canine ranges out slowly in search of prey. When a bird is detected, the dog stops and points or couches. After hunter shoots the bird, the dog retrieves the downed game.

    Gun Dogs

    • Some popular American gun dogs are Flushing, Sussex and Field spaniels. They are good hunters and retrievers with slow methodical hunting patterns. The primary targets are birds such as quail, duck, geese and pheasant. If water is involved, the American Water Spaniel and the Boykin Spaniel have excellent water skills. Also, various types of retrievers are mainly used as water dogs. They spend long hours working with a hunter, and they are able to spot and remember the location of downed prey,

    Scent Seekers

    • Other American woodland dogs are hunting helpers because they have an excellent sense of smell. Their larger nasal cavities give them the necessary hunting sensitivity for processing scents. These dogs have noses that are able to locate rabbit, raccoon, coyote, deer and other furry prizes. They are not necessarily valued for speed but rather for endurance. They stay with prey and follow its scent for long distances and over rugged, wooded terrain. They can do this for many days, and they can even follow a scent over water.

    Hunting Breeds

    • Some popular scent seekers that work well with hunters are the Basset Hound, Beagle, Bloodhound and Dachshund. Others are the Black and Tan Coonhound, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Plott Hound and Redbone Coonhound. These dogs make good hunting companions because they are intelligent and easy to train. They enjoy their work and go about it with enthusiasm. Above all, they are obedient and willing canine servants.

    Speed and Agility

    • The American Foxhound also has a good nose and will go after an interesting scent. This hunting dog is very energetic and tireless. This dog is different than the bird dogs or the slower scent dogs because of its speed when giving chase. Known as a good tracker, many hunters use the American Foxhound as a companion dog when hunting wild animals.