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A Hunter's Best Friend: Hunting Dogs
from: Maxx Sports GuidesYour hunting dog is the a great ally to the hunter. They sniff and scavenge for prey in the deepest and darkest brush of the forest. There are many possibilities for a hunting dog type you can bring on your next trip. The type of dog should be directly related to the type of hunting you're planning.
If you're hunting fur-bearing animals, for example, you'd be happier with a hound than a terrier. Regardless of what dog you choose, you can be sure you'll have made a new friend by the end of the journey.
The most common hunting dogs are hounds, which are divided into two categories: the sighthound and the scent hound. As the names implies, each sub-category of dog type refers to the skill the dog tends to be more proficient at. Sighthounds, like the Whippet, are adapted to hunting because of their visual attributes.
They practice a method known as coursing, which refers to spotting the prey from a long distance and following it in quick pursuit. Scent hounds, like the Coonhound, work by scent rather than sight. They tend to pick up on a trace of the prey from the ground and follow that scent to the prey. Scent hounds often work in packs and have some of the most sensitive noses of all other dog types.
The next classification of dogs used for hunting is the gun dog. These dogs are used mostly by short range hunters using shotguns. There are three sub-categories of gun dogs: flushing spaniels, pointing breeds and retrievers. Again, their names reflect their particular skill. Retrievers, once known as water spaniels, are great for finding and retrieving shot or killed game for the hunter.
If the hunter kills a duck, the retriever heads out to pick it up and brings it back to the hunter. The pointing breed, such as an English setter, tend to "point out" the prey by pointing at upland birds or other upland animals being hunted. The pointing breed of dogs sometimes also help flush the prey out from their hiding spot. The flushing spaniels, such as the English Cocker spaniel, are used to locate and spring the prey for the hunter. They're trained to remain close to the hunter, ensuring an easy kill.
Another popular type of hunting dog is the terrier. Terriers are used to mostly hunting mammals. These animals, such as the Lakeland terrier, are used to locate the den of the animal and spring or capture the animal. Some terriers are bred to kill the animal at the animal's den. A large number of terriers are used to hunt what are known as "pest species".
The pest species refer to groundhogs, hunted by the Jack Russel terriers, or the badger or fox, hunted by the Fell terrier. The legality of some of these hunts is questionable, so you may want to check your local regulations before you set upon and hunt a fox.
There are many particulars that make using hunting dogs a popular option for hunting. Whether you choose a sighthound or a scent hound, you're assured your companion hound will be working to find your prey. Using a gun dog can provide great companionship as well as bringing prey right to your doorstep and literally take the hunt out of hunting.
Terriers make a vigorous hunting companion, but they also make for a nice domesticated animal. Make sure you consider the hunting dog type before you go out on the hunt so you can bring the best breed with you and land the best kill for this hunting season.
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