What's the Best All-Purpose Hunting Dog?

M

Mainah

New member
I'm an experienced dog owner. I've owned a Dobie, a Shepherd, a Border Collie, a Bull-Terrier, two Rotts, and a couple of mutts. Currently we've got two Boston Terriers. We are involved in dog rescue, so we often end up with older dogs with bad backgrounds. I don't want or need an expensive pup, or even a puppy- an older dog would be fine.

But I've never had a hunting dog. What breed (or mix) would be most versatile? By that I mean what dog could I use to hunt as many critters as possible in Maine. And I'd also like a dog that will let me know if there's someone on the property. Not a guard dog, but a good watch dog.

I guess I'm looking for a dog that serves as many roles as my 870. Any thoughts? Thanks.
 
Hunting dogs are specialist. For birds I have alwasy owned (have one now) the Vizsla. They are considered the gentlemans bird dog because they don't range like most other pointers. I have found that to be true. Most spaniel's will hunt but they are best as retrievers (which is not hunting but instead is "finding and bringing back") But even that is specalized to the extent that some are better water retrievers. Labs make great duck hunting dogs. hounds are trackers.

Overall? You need to decide what you want to hunt.
 
In my area we hunt a lot of ducks, pheasants, some quail and chuckers up north. Most people around here favor the lab for it's versatility.
 
"Hunting dogs are specialist."

Need to define what you want the dog to do: warn if intruders are about, return dead birds, trail running animals, bay critters in trees, catch dog and hold , etc.

Kind of like asking what is the best athlete without knowing the sport: football, basket ball, tennis, swimming, etc.

Lab will get killed as a catch dog on wild hogs.
 
In the opinion of many, the most versatile hunting dogs are the Continental Breeds. There is a organization dedicated solely to dogs that are exceptional at all facets of hunting. It is known as NAVHDA or the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. According to them, the organization defines versatile dogs as "the dog that is bred and trained to dependably hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water, and to track wounded game on both land and water." The group asserts that "The versatile breeds, as we know them today, are products of Europe. No distinctive versatile hunting breed has been developed in North America."

Take that anyway you want. The breeds they associate with versatility tho, are all exceptional hunting breeds. My choice for the last 35 years has been German Wirehair Pointers. Not only are they exceptional hunting dogs, they are exceptional family pets and companions.

http://www.navhda.org/

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Thanks, and I'll clarify. I'd like to hunt birds and rabbits, that could include waterfowl (doesn't have to). No pigs in Maine, yet. And while bear is legal with hounds in Maine I have no desire for that.

In terms of a watchdog I don't ask a lot. My Shepherd and Dobie barked if someone was walking down the road 150 yards from the house, I ended up ignoring them most of the time. When the Rotts or the Border Collie barked I knew I had to get up. A happy medium would be great, although pretty much anything would beat the Bostons I have now (though I do love them).
 
Beagle!

I agree with Strafer Gott; A beagle is damn good dog!

I had one years ago and she was equally good with rabbits and birds.

That damn dog had a sixth sense - I would start to get stuff together in the house (she was outside) and would start getting ansty! By the time I had the stuff together and loaded in the veh, she was would be (almost) busting the gate fence gate down!

I truely miss that dog.... :(
 
The shorthair is a hard dog to beat. It will hunt birds, fur, feather, track blood trails from wounded animals and bay when it finds the game. Mine will also keep the kids safe, :) people come around, that dog lets me know, hair up on the back ready to do whatever needs to be done.

Kills varmints, and lays at my feet at night. A pleasure to have inside and a beast out in teh fields.
 
A shorthair is hard to beat, but I'd opt for a Lab for an all around dog. They can hunt all day, and you will never have a better friend.
 
My young Boston Terrier is a year old, and he fears nothing. He ran a herd of deer off the property a few minutes ago. I'm gonna' gun test him.

I love Beagles, my mom had one. But I live within a half a mile of busy two-lane road and I need a dog who with recall that exceeds scent.
 
It's not the most popular breed, but the little Jagdterrier is a fearless little hunter. They will pursue any animal on 4 legs from squirrel to bear. For such a small dog, the germans created a dog that is a versatile hunter. People use them on wild boar, squirrel, rabbit, bear, mountain lion, raccoon, and pretty much anything else that walks on 4 legs in North America.

Search google images for "jagdterrier hunting" and you will see the huge variety of animals this breed is capable of being an effective hunting companion for. Truly an all purpose hunting breed.
 
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not all dogs are specialists. now if we are talking a dog that can hunt pheasants, geese, hogs, cats, and bear then you're not likely to find one but for a general bird dog Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Chocolate Labradors are good dogs. we used to have a Chocolate that would turn back and glare at you whenever you missed a bird... liked to try and run down deer too but she never caught them.
 
Alex, funny you should mention that breed. I saw my first Jag the other day at a local gunshop. Just a pup, but an impressive attitude. The guys who own the store know hunting, they've got a beautiful pair of GSPs. I was surprised to see such a small dog in there.
 
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