Dogs are man’s (and woman’s) best friend! It’s only natural that many hunters want to bring their best buddy on the hunt. Hunting with a dog that has been specifically trained to hunt can add efficiency and an intimate camaraderie to your experience. Choosing the right hunting dog can be difficult, especially if you’ve never had a canine companion on your North Texas hunts. Here are some things to keep in mind as you search for the right four-legged hunting partner:

1. Gun Dogs and Hound Dogs

All hunting dogs can be classified into gun dogs and hounds.

Hound dogs are proactive in the hunt. They are sniffing out the game, flushing it out, and maneuvering it into an ideal position. These dogs are typically used for deer, rabbits, bears, boar, and other mammals. Hounds have two subcategories: scent hounds and sight hounds. Scent hounds, like Beagles, Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, and Coonhounds, track scents over great distances and for extended periods. They also have loud voices to alert the hunter once the prey is within sight. Sighthounds, like Salukis, Wolfhounds, Whippets, and Vizsla, are agile, fast, and have keen sight, making them best for quick game like rabbits and deer.

Guns dogs are primarily bird dogs. They typically fall into one of three subcategories: pointing, flushing, and retrieving. A pointer’s job is to point at the prey with its nose to signal which direction the hunter should shoot in. Pointer breeds and Setters, Brittanys, and Weimaraners make great pointers. A flusher’s job is to rile the birds from their hiding spots so they expose themselves to the hunter; Spaniels make great flusher dogs. A retriever’s job is to collect the bird without damaging it once the hunter has shot it down. Labrador, Golden, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, as well as the American Water Spaniel, are all breeds that make excellent retrieving dogs.

While you can absolutely train gun dogs to do certain hound dog tasks and vice-versa, these dogs are bred for specific jobs. They are carefully bred to retain traits that suit their natural characteristics. Some breeds have innate qualities that will not be suited for certain hunting styles. Finding a breed with the qualities you seek in a hunting dog is the first step toward finding the right companion.

2. Hunting Environment & Style

Do you like a fast-paced hunting experience? Do you prefer a slower, more evenly-paced hunt? Can you keep up with a dog? Can you stay focused and ready to shoot for an extended period while your dog flushes out prey? You need to think about your hunting style before you choose a dog. A pointer best accentuates a focused and steady hunting experience, whereas a flusher will give you a more fast-paced hunt.

You should also consider your location and the environments in which you will be hunting. Some dogs thrive more in colder climates than others. In contrast, cold-weather dogs may not be conditioned to strenuous activity in the heat. While any dog will need to be conditioned to your preferred hunting environment regardless of breed, it’s not likely a thick-coated dog will adapt to Texas heat as well as other breeds. If you are hunting in wet areas, a dog with a naturally water-resistant coat will make them more adept at retrieving waterfowl. The environment you hunt in should fit the dog you choose.

3. Choosing the Right Pup

Finding a trustworthy breeder with a good reputation and a sterling bloodline is important. You can ask fellow hunters, post on hunting forums, and look into local breeders. When you find a breeder you are interested in, ask about the parents and grandparents of the litter. You can ask if they are certified through OFA, The Canine Health Information Center, or if they have any other accreditations. You will need to ask about the puppy’s health records. Most reputable breeders will sell their pups with a genetic health guarantee.

If you make the decision to meet a puppy in person, look for a clean coat, clear ears, and healthy eyes. Puppies naturally have different energy levels, but for a hunting dog, you should look for a confident, lively, and outgoing pup.

Some major breeder red flags are:

• Puppies are for sale year-round
• Puppies are sold younger than 8 weeks
• Your request to meet the parents is rejected
• You cannot meet the puppy prior to purchase

4. Train Early and Consistently

Training with your pup will start on day one with basic obedience commands like sit, stay, and come. Your dog’s puppyhood is the time when your bond will be formed the most, so it is crucial to establish a relationship of respect and trust in the early days. It is also a good idea to get your puppy exposed to the great outdoors and the sound of guns as soon as possible.

Once your puppy has mastered basic obedience training and your bond is established, you can begin specific hunting training. A training routine will look different depending on your needs and what kind of hunting dog you have. You can train the dog yourself or work with an experienced trainer to achieve the desired results. You will need to research methods, tools, and training equipment specific to your dog and hunting tasks. The most important factor here is consistency. Train early, train often, and continue to reinforce your dogs training even after they have mastered the skills.