Field Guide / Hunting Dogs
The breeds hunters rely on for waterfowl, upland birds, small game, and treeing. Search by breed or job, or filter by type, what it hunts, and energy level.
Breed is only a starting point. Individual dogs vary a lot, and a dog's training, exercise, and the breeder you choose matter as much as the breed. Sizes and lifespans are typical ranges. Rules on hunting with dogs differ by state, so check your state's regulations.
19 breeds
RetrieversA tough, independent retriever bred for icy Chesapeake Bay duck hunting, with an oily, wavy coat and the stamina for the worst weather.
Size: 55 to 80 pounds · High energy
RetrieversA gentle, biddable retriever with a soft mouth and a love of water, a favorite for family hunters who want a calm, affectionate partner.
Size: 55 to 75 pounds · High energy
RetrieversAmerica's most popular retriever and the standard duck dog: eager to please, built for cold water, and easy to train, with plenty of drive for long days.
Size: 55 to 80 pounds · High energy
RetrieversThe smallest retriever, a red, fox-like dog that lures ducks within range with playful movement along the shore before retrieving.
Size: 35 to 50 pounds · Very high energy
Pointing BreedsA compact, close-working pointing dog with a big nose and a big heart, popular with foot hunters for grouse, woodcock, and quail.
Size: 30 to 40 pounds · Very high energy
Pointing BreedsThe classic bird dog: a lean, fast, wide-ranging pointer with an intense nose, bred to find quail and grouse across big country.
Size: 45 to 75 pounds · Very high energy
Pointing BreedsA gentle, elegant pointing dog with a long, silky coat and a flashy, close-to-moderate range, popular for grouse and woodcock.
Size: 45 to 80 pounds · High energy
Pointing BreedsA versatile, athletic pointing breed that finds, points, and retrieves upland birds, and also works water for waterfowl.
Size: 45 to 70 pounds · Very high energy
Pointing BreedsA lean, rust-gold pointing dog from Hungary, known for a close, affectionate bond with its owner and a soft temperament.
Size: 44 to 60 pounds · Very high energy
Pointing BreedsA sleek, silver-gray pointing breed, versatile and strong, bred in Germany for big game and now a bird dog with a strong bond to its owner.
Size: 55 to 90 pounds · Very high energy
Pointing BreedsA shaggy, versatile, wire-coated pointing dog that points, flushes, and retrieves from heavy cover and cold water.
Size: 35 to 60 pounds · High energy
Flushing SpanielsA small, tough, brown spaniel from South Carolina, bred to flush turkeys and doves and to retrieve from small boats and swamps.
Size: 25 to 40 pounds · High energy
Flushing SpanielsA small, merry, tireless flushing spaniel that works thick cover for woodcock and grouse and is easy to carry and keep.
Size: 26 to 34 pounds · High energy
Flushing SpanielsA friendly, tireless flushing spaniel that works close, springs birds into the air, and retrieves, a favorite for pheasants and grouse.
Size: 40 to 55 pounds · High energy
HoundsA small, tough scent hound with a loud voice and a tireless nose, the classic dog for cottontail and hare hunting.
Size: 20 to 30 pounds · High energy
HoundsA mottled, blue-ticked trailing hound with a deep voice and a great nose, used to track raccoons and other game and bay them up a tree.
Size: 45 to 65 pounds · High energy
HoundsA tough, brindle-coated hound from North Carolina, bred to trail and bay bear and wild boar and the state dog of North Carolina.
Size: 40 to 60 pounds · High energy
HoundsA fast, lean, loud tricolor coonhound that trails hot and trees raccoons, the most common competition and hunting coonhound.
Size: 50 to 70 pounds · Very high energy
CursA rugged, loyal Appalachian dog bred to tree squirrels and other small game and to guard the homestead, with courage and stamina.
Size: 30 to 60 pounds · High energy