Characteristics of Some Hunting Dogs
Flushing spaniels combine hunting, flushing, and retrieving skills.
English Springer Spaniels are popular gundogs for a variety of cover but are
closely followed in popularity by English Cocker Spaniels.
Both breeds are adept at finding and flushing then retrieving game from thick
cover. Clumbers, Sussex, and Field Spaniels are also popular for their slower,
methodical hunting pattern. The American Water Spaniel and the Boykin Spaniel
are noted for their water work.
When trained, Beagles are particularly adept at chasing through thick briars
and brush after rabbits. However, spaniels are also excellent rabbit hunting
dogs. Spaniel field trials in the UK use both game birds as well as rabbits.
Many hound breeds are excellent at treeing raccoons.
Sighthounds are different from scenthounds in their methods and adaptations.
The long lean head of the sighthound gives it a greater degree of binocular
vision. Their speed, agility and visual acuity are particularly adapted for
coursing game in open meadows or steppes. They are independent in nature, and
are worked singly or in a “brace” of two or three dogs. Sighthounds are
generally quiet and placid dogs compared to other hunting breeds.
Retrievers are good swimmers so are used for retrieving game shot down over
water. Retrievers skin secretes an oily substance that sheds water.
Retrievers are good at retrieving birds on land or in water.
Hounds have sensitive noses that are used to locate small animals like rabbits
and squirrels. Hound breeds include the bluetick, red tick, walker, and redbone.
Flushers are frequently used for pheasant hunting and can be trained to work
within gun range. Other flushers, like the cocker, the Boykin and several types
of spaniels pursue game until it goes for cover.
