[beastmode986]

This thread might irritate some folks so keep that in mind....
what are some dog breeds that are good for hunting?Now im not to sure on rules of hunting because they differ,but i was looking at wolf hybrids, rottweilers and German shepherds.I was mainly going to have the dog track mid size game and retrieve small game.Now i was wondering if having a dog retrieve small game is ok for prairie dog hunting i've only heard people talk about retrieving ducks but i was going to have the dog retrieve prairie dogs.Can i do this?Also i've seen videos of people hunting and sometimes the animal they shoot runs away, so i would use the dog to either hold it down so i can catch up and finish the job if i happen to not kill it with one bullet or i would have the dog help me find where ever it ran to and died.

Sorry for these stupid questions like i said im not to familiar with hunting but im going to be doing my homework and reading up on it.After reading about German shepherds i found they were bread to guard things, I still think it may be possible to trail them but i have also heard they might bite to hard.Same thing with the other dogs listed, and the wolf hybrids instincts may take over and the dog might start eating whatever i hunt. I have had a lab before and heard they are great but i like the look and behavior of the dogs listed and as a bonus they can also protect my home.

[JTEX]

Originally Posted by beastmode986

This thread might irritate some folks so keep that in mind....
what are some dog breeds that are good for hunting?Now im not to sure on rules of hunting because they differ,but i was looking at wolf hybrids, rottweilers and German shepherds.I was mainly going to have the dog track mid size game and retrieve small game.Now i was wondering if having a dog retrieve small game is ok for prairie dog hunting i've only heard people talk about retrieving ducks but i was going to have the dog retrieve prairie dogs.Can i do this?Also i've seen videos of people hunting and sometimes the animal they shoot runs away, so i would use the dog to either hold it down so i can catch up and finish the job if i happen to not kill it with one bullet or i would have the dog help me find where ever it ran to and died.

Sorry for these stupid questions like i said im not to familiar with hunting but im going to be doing my homework and reading up on it.After reading about German shepherds i found they were bread to guard things, I still think it may be possible to trail them but i have also heard they might bite to hard.Same thing with the other dogs listed, and the wolf hybrids instincts may take over and the dog might start eating whatever i hunt. I have had a lab before and heard they are great but i like the look and behavior of the dogs listed and as a bonus they can also protect my home.

IMO a working(hunting) dog and a guard dog (everything you've listed) are very different.. A good working dog for what your wanting is going to be a type of hound or beagle, labs are also very loyal hunting dogs.. I've never heard of any of the dogs you listed working with hunting.. I've grown up with labs and they will do anything they can to please you in the field they IMO are the classic working dog but the beagles and hound dogs are going to be your best trailers (blood) dogs... Keep doing research, just my 2 cents..

[rifleman1]

the best hunting dog ive ever had was a springer spaniel very inteligent and easy to train,all i hunted with her was small game quail,pheasant and duck though.

[JTEX]

Originally Posted by rifleman1

the best hunting dog ive ever had was a springer spaniel very inteligent and easy to train,all i hunted with her was small game quail,pheasant and duck though.

Ahhh yes, the spaniels are good bird dogs as well!

[winds-of-change]

Depends on what you are hunting and how. There are pointers, retrievers, scent hounds, sight hounds, tracking dogs, etc. You have to get the right kind of dog for the job. They aren't so good at multitasking because of their genetics and instincts.

[c3shooter]

As said- one size does NOT fit all. My rabbit dogs were beagles- small dogs, LOVED to run rabbits- towards me. Pointers for upland birds are entirely different. Retrievers (Golden, Labs, etc) for bringing back the ducks. Hounds- Blue Tick, Redbone, etc, for giving chase to larger game (deer, raccoon). Shepherds and larger dogs HAVE been used as hunting dogs in Europe for years- for giving chase or bringing down deer, stags, pigs, etc.

You also need to check your state game laws- some areas do not permit deer hunting with dogs. Other areas (different terrain) it is a necessity.

Forget retrieving prairie dogs. With ANYTHING, including yourself. They are carriers of Bubonic Plague- the Black Death that killed off a large chunk of Europe. Transmitted by their fleas. Yes, here in the US- Few cases each year in CO, NM, etc. Leave them alone. Prairie dogs are rodents- they will clean up anything you leave.

[Durangokid]

Pay attention to C3s advice. We have a number of cases of the Plague every year. Never touch a dead P'Dog or let your pets range over towns. Camping near Dog Towns can be a danger.Never let small children play around Dog Mounds. I recall some 30 years ago when some nonresidents died on the trip home.

[jordan89]

Originally Posted by c3shooter

Forget retrieving prairie dogs. With ANYTHING, including yourself. They are carriers of Bubonic Plague- the Black Death that killed off a large chunk of Europe. Transmitted by their fleas. Yes, here in the US- Few cases each year in CO, NM, etc. Leave them alone. Prairie dogs are rodents- they will clean up anything you leave.

Holy smokes! Didn't know that. Thanks for sharing that bit of info.

[beastmode986]

yeah thanks for the info you probably saved my dogs life and or mine. ill probably get a shepherd then. How good are they for tracking?

[Marlinman]

Originally Posted by beastmode986

yeah thanks for the info you probably saved my dogs life and or mine. ill probably get a shepherd then. How good are they for tracking?

If your wanting to go tracking look into blood hounds, blue ticks, red bones, plotts, treeing walkers and such. Forget the German shepherd for that. The dogs I mentioned are all trail dogs born and bred. What are you specifically wanting them to trail because all have a basic thing/varmint they trail/do best.