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Dogs, a hunter’s best friend and helper
Genetics and what kind of hunting you have in mind are points to consider when choosing one breed or another. Each dog has certain skills and it is worth knowing what they are before making a choice.
It is not that one kind of dog is better than another; rather each one has its own characteristics and skills liable to make it an ideal companion for a good day’s hunting. For example, hounds (Iberian, Canarian and Ibizan) are perfect if the quarry is a rabbit. According to the experts, hounds are hunting dogs by nature, born with the ability. Sight, hearing and smell are their infallible weapons. Also for rabbit-hunting, though able to adapt to bigger game, the German Pointer may be the right choice if what is sought is a docile and obedient dog.
Their acute sense of smell makes scent hounds loyal helpers in flushing and driving a quarry to where the hunter is ready to shoot and score a hit. Moreover the German Pointer is enviably robust and knows how to keep its distance, so as to assist the hunter without getting under his feet. With good training it can be used in hunts on any terrain. It also has a sense of obedience that is highly valuable in some circumstances. Other pointers are the Braque Francais, the Weimaraner and the Vizsla.
Though not often used, the Pachon Navarro is still sought-after by hunters who want a dog able to be effective on steep terrain and in adverse weather.
The fastest Europeans
Smaller than the above is the French Brittany, the fastest European breed, and which has a distinct hunting instinct. The setter (Gordon, English or Irish) is regarded as the British equivalent of the European pointing dogs. A peculiar feature of these dogs is their aptitude for marking a quarry from a crouching position – a trait that enhances their endurance. Some experts highlight pointers as the outstanding indicator gundogs (those which find the quarry and keep still, indicating the spot to the hunter).
It is seen more often as a pet than as a sporting dog, but the Cocker Spaniel has great hunting skills, especially as a flushing dog (to get a quarry out of cover). For hunting on horseback, nothing is better than a Beagle-Harrier. It is a perfect helper in a pack for boar and deer hunts, and an exemplary tracking dog, with a keen sense of smell allowing it to track a quarry that moved on hours earlier. A good flushing and burrowing hound is the dachshund, which despite its small size has powerful jaws.
Each breed has its pros and cons, so it is advisable to consult an expert to ascertain which one is best suited to any one hunter’s needs. As to age, some vets recommend getting a dog as a puppy, between its first and second month of life, or else from six months to one year.
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Published in Hobbies and Collecting by M. J. Arias on 08/03/2010
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