| A hunting dog is any type of dog who | | | | commands from a long distance away. They |
| helps humans when they go hunting. Each | | | | are renowned for their 'soft mouths' |
| breed of hunting dog has their own | | | | which means that they don't leave a mark |
| particular skill, so a hunter would | | | | on the game that they have retrieved. |
| choose their dog according to which kind | | | | Spaniels are excellent for finding game |
| of hunting they prefer. True hunting | | | | and flushing it out of any hiding place. |
| dogs get huge satisfaction from what | | | | They are also greats swimmers, good |
| they do and a good dog can make all the | | | | family dogs and fiercely loyal. |
| difference on a hunt. Let's take a look | | | | Pointers are also loyal. They're happy |
| at the different hunting dogs. | | | | and affectionate dogs. Although they are |
| Hounds | | | | bred to hunt, they make great pets as |
| There are three main kinds of hunting | | | | long as they get sufficient exercise. |
| hounds: Sighthounds, scent hounds and | | | | When they are hunting, they literally |
| lurchers. | | | | point! They find the game and then stop |
| Sighthounds, like the Whippet, have | | | | dead, letting the hunter know where it |
| amazing eyesight and are extremely fast | | | | is. Once they are commanded, they flush |
| runners. Their way of hunting is called | | | | the prey out for the hunter to shoot. |
| 'coursing'. They see their prey - often | | | | Setters are good pointers. |
| from a huge distance - then they stalk, | | | | One of the most famous pointers was |
| chase and kill it. These dogs are | | | | Judy, a ship's dog during the Second |
| athletic, fast, very quiet and extremely | | | | World War. Her special skill was to |
| independent. They are very affectionate | | | | point where Japanese planes were coming |
| and loyal to their owners and are good | | | | from - long before any of the humans on |
| with small children. They make hopeless | | | | board could even hear their engines! |
| guard dogs as they're so trusting! | | | | Judy was awarded the animal equivalent |
| Scent hounds, as you would imagine, use | | | | of the Victoria Cross (the Dickin Medal) |
| their sense of smell for hunting. | | | | in 1946. |
| Beagles, Basset Hounds and the American | | | | Terriers |
| Coonhound all use their noses to track | | | | Most of the animals that terriers help |
| the prey. They very often hunt in packs | | | | to hunt for are pests. For example, Jack |
| and can chase game for a very long way | | | | Russells go after ground hogs and foxes |
| before cornering it or killing it. These | | | | in America and Terriers hunt badgers in |
| dogs have characteristic booming barks | | | | the UK (legally and illegally!). Hunters |
| and soulful expressions. | | | | who work with these dogs are called |
| Lurchers are primarily some kind of | | | | terriermen. |
| sighthound bred with a working dog. | | | | Curs |
| Gun Dogs | | | | These are used in a similar way to |
| Hunters take a gun dog along with them | | | | terriers but the game that they hunt is |
| to bring back whatever has been shot. | | | | usually larger, such as boars, raccoons |
| Retrievers are very good at remembering | | | | and even cougars. Staffordshire Terriers |
| where prey has fallen and love to | | | | and any other kind of hunting dog are |
| retrieve ducks or geese that have been | | | | often bred together to produce hunting |
| shot and landed in water. A typical gun | | | | curs. |
| dog is very well trained and can follow | | | | |