“Use what you have” is an old idea, and when it comes to hunting with dogs, it is not an imperfect baseline. In the long term of evolution, each domestic dog has evolved through cooperation between species to meet the needs of humans and canines.
Fortunately for hunters, centuries of intentional pairing have created a plethora of breeds that make hunting easy, fun, and focused on the dog-hunter team at play. But owning a true hunting breed isn’t necessary. to go out hunting with your dog. You also don’t need to shell out thousands of dollars for a royal lineage dog to have a great hunting dog.
Sometimes the best dog is the dog you have at home, the dog that best fits your lifestyle needs, or the dog that best fits your budget. Truly, what makes a great hunting dog is your dedication to the effort.
So whether this article helps you rethink your dog’s current situation or encourages you to look for something beyond the norm, here are five options for hunting dogs that are worth a look.
5 Unconventional Hunting Dogs That Can Get the Job Done
The Jack Russell Terrier
![Jack Russell Terrier](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_56833036-700x466.jpg)
Meet Gator the Duck Dog, a Real Waterfowl Trevally
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of befriending a Jack, you’ll find yourself immersed in a web of both serious and comedic intensity. Historically, Jacks were bred to kill pests at will. But within this intense prey drive is also one of the most trainable and loyal breeds you will encounter. Many also have an insatiable drive to retrieve that rivals their retriever parents.
Jacks are also extremely compact, with many lines weighing between 10 and 12 pounds. They are not large stray dogs that you could hunt behind in a field, but if you want to hunt birds with a Jack, you will probably have a helluva marker and a retriever on your hands in the duck blind or field. doves.
Unlike many larger dogs, Jacks often live into their late teens, have extremely healthy lives, and will keep your home vermin free at limited cost to you.
The Border Collie
![Border Collie, hunting dog](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_280717715-700x437.jpg)
Another breed known for its intense trainability, the border collie is considered the smartest dog on the planet. Lucky for me, I have one and can vouch for their people-pleasing, no-holds-barred outlook on life.
Herding instincts mirror hunting instincts in many ways, and boundaries are key to easily resolving the issue at hand. Show your borderline what you expect, and she will likely calculate quickly and tenaciously.
My own border collie is an excellent companion for hunting big game and birds. He rode an elk 40 yards with me, packed supplies and 10 to 15 pounds of deer meat into his dog pack, and stayed patiently on his heels while we hunted with other bird dogs.
Poodles
![Poodle hunting dog](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1490101832-scaled.jpg)
Watch ‘Fluffy Poodle’ Chase Ducks
Some might be joking a bit here, as poodles are, at their core, hunting retrievers. But it’s hard to find poodles that come from dedicated hunting bloodlines and are in the realm of a normal price point. Centuries of breeding toward a royal life of leisure have certainly changed the poodle, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for a dog with a busy home life.
Regardless of size, Poodles – like the two breeds mentioned previously – rank highly in friendly trainability. The breed is intelligent and the hunting instincts to fetch, swim and cooperate still live within its royal bloodlines. Additionally, the poodle’s hypoallergenic coat makes it a perfect option for dog lovers with allergies.
Standard Poodles are the most obvious choice, but don’t consider smaller Poodles as equal counterparts in terms of abilities. One of my favorite bird dog stories highlights a toy poodle retrieving doves named Tom. Read it here in Garden and Gun.
German Shepherds (and similar working breeds)
![German Shepherd hunting dog](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_762944392-scaled.jpg)
Watch Sam the German Shepherd chasing birds here
The thing that all the dogs in this column have in common is a propensity for work, a tendency to train, and bloodlines up to the task. I would be remiss if I did not include the German Shepherd and its working Shepherd counterparts here.
If you are looking for a dog that is both protective and huntable, Germans are high on the list. Large, intense, loyal to a fault, and busy, Shepherds are always looking for something to do. Fill that void with a classic bird dog training routine, and you’ll likely have one heck of a hunting dog on your hands.
Although Germans make excellent companions, it is imperative to keep hip and joint health in mind. Where the other breeds on the list are more hardy, this is a breed that requires a little more maintenance and attention to its health.
A good old hunting dog
![Labradoodle hunting dog](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_1162018723-scaled.jpg)
Watch two Labradoodles on a duck hunt in Texas
One of the best ways to get a great hunting dog without the price tag is to find what many might call an “Oopsie Daisy.” A German Shorthaired Pointer meets a Lab in heat, and voilà, two great hunting breeds spawn an accidental litter of versatile hunting puppies who sing often.
A dog that has at least one parent of hunting heritage is likely to exhibit at least certain characteristics and instincts. Look for crosses involving two hunting breeds or perhaps a hunting breed with a working breed.
Or, let yourself be guided by the doodle craze sweeping the country. Many doodles are crossed between two hunting breeds, the most popular being the Labradoodle (Labrador x Poodle) or the Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever x Poodle).
The downside to doodles is that the “designer dog” trend means you’ll likely spend more up front on a puppy, but you’re looking at a puppy with plenty of benefits from two breeds, from being hypoallergenic to affable and family-friendly . , or bird.
Final Thoughts on Unconventional Hunting Breeds
Ultimately, a good dog is rarely born this way. A good dog is built through effort, routines, boundaries and exposure to many different environments. A good hunting dog often doubles this training effort.
Maybe this article gives you an opportunity to look at the dog you have differently, or it encourages you to look beyond the price tag of a luxury breed, or maybe you can meet a partner in the middle having certain canine preferences, so that both achieve a desirable result. And don’t neglect rescues. There are many dogs with suitable temperaments to hunt crowded shelters if you can find one young enough to undergo training.
This is a testament to the fact that the dog can transcend its defined traits to achieve multiple training outcomes. Lean into this, and you might not only have an unconventional bird dog on your hands, but also a great companion. Bragging rights, anyone?