groundhog hunting dog breeds

I have seen dogs running loose that will lay for hours near a groundhog den and wait until the groundhog is far enough from his hole, then catch him. American Staffordshire Terrier, called AmStaff for short, is an amazing hog hunting dog. Woodchucks may not appear useful to humans, but they have their own place and identity in the ecosystem and should be acceptedand respectedfor that alone. And a well-trained Brittany is a pleasure to hunt behind. Kevin Gilmore, owner of Gilmore Brittanys. Catch dogs are used to hold the hog down. I started taking her in the woods with me, and I remember how much she loved to chase the turkeys. Phil Bourjaily, The Savage AccuTrigger comes standard that breaks clean and is fully adjustable. Location: Central Illinois. We hunted on in the general direction of its flight, hunted on some more, and finally decided the bird had given us the slip. Lacys are very fast and easily keep up with running boars for miles. Image by 272447 from Pixabay. Thats why they wont be suitable as house pets, especially if you have young kids. They have great stamina so they are suited to long tracking as well as holding the hogs when they have been cornered. You may find yourself looking over your shoulder to see if the cops are coming. They are not suited for guard dogs as they are a naturally friendly breed unlikely to attack intruders. However, be aware that groundhogs can climb over and tunnel under fences. Walker Coonhounds are also great family pets, as they are difficult to provoke to aggression and are generally happy to coexist with other pets such as cats. He wore a Kevlar vest and a heavy metal collar. Show Details Compare . hit me up with an email in the contact form if you have any questions. Trained well, Redbones are very determined dogs that will not give up on a quarry, tracking across hills and even water if needed, Redbones are generally very friendly, making them good as family pets as well as hunting dogs. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. That, my friends, is known as snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Size: Small. Plott Hounds are dominant dogs and will control a timid owner, especially if not trained properly. There's been very little talk of groundhogs since the recent rise of big game hunting took hold in the '90s. If the fox wanted to survive, it would dodge, dance, and evade, and quite often it could throw off the hounds for good. Among bear hunting dog breeds, Blueticks have a nose that wont quit, and will tree just about any creature in the woods, so dont hold it against them if they take off wandering for an hour or two. T. Edward Nickens has covered sporting, conservation, and outdoors culture topics for more than 35 years. It is a hunt that is dangerous for the terrier and a lot of hard work for the hunters, as Churchfield explains in his descriptions of typical Ohio groundhog hunts with terriers. Some hunters use Dachshunds to hunt . Rodents that snoozed the winter away in underground . Now, that determination to a single task isnt always desirable, which is why this is a dog that you absolutely need to obedience-train. T.D. However, not all rodent-hunters look or seem like the type to effectively chase off vermin. If you hunt in tough, cold conditions, this is the dog you want. This makes their grip even tighter. Some breeds are great with locating big or small game, some can flush it out for you, and others help retrieve it. The Lacys are intelligent, active, and very bold dogs with amazing tracking abilities. But watch him. Its unlikely that this breeds proclivity for airborne flushes puts more birds in the bag, but its sort of like a slam dunknot worth extra points, but thrilling nonetheless. Lacys are very easy to train basic commands. Yorkshire Terriers, Rat Terriers, and Jack Russell terriers all have the impressive stamina and drive to catch and kill rodents, including groundhogs. These large dogs have the build and stamina to hunt wild boar as well as other big game animals, like deer and bears. He coaxed Danger from the box and put a leash on her. Or when a springer spaniel levitates from the switchgrass, jaws snapping at a pheasants tail feathers. These dogs can weigh up to 60lbs and reaching 25inches tall, these dogs are fast, strong, and intelligent. Lacys on the hunt are quiet and lightfooted, making it easy for them to sneak up on the hog. My first Brittany was given to me by a friend 20-plus years ago. Very often, they are also used for treeing coons. In cold water or bad conditions, theyll work through difficult situations in order to persevere and bring that duck or goose back to you. That pushed hunters around the country to compete and showcase their talent in capturing them. GWPs exist in two separate breeds: the Deutsch drahthaar and the Americanized German wirehaired pointer. Blueticks can be super high energy and need to burn off steam, so any potential masters with couch-potato tendencies had best reconsider. If you have young kids in your household, dont leave them unattended with a Black Mouth cur as they like to play quite rough. Thats why Dogo Argentino is my favorite breed for this job. German Wirehaired Pointer. To train a Ridgeback, you need patience and determination, starting early in puppyhood and continuing through to the dogs adulthood. The gestation period is 31-32 days. Ridgebacks are very fast and have good stamina for their size, making them excellent at pursuing and slowing hogs they find. Some brands design them with neck extensions to protect this vital area. The tallest of the spaniel breeds, Irish Water Spaniels have noses that sniff out all types of feathered game. Avoid headshots because it may hurt your dogs. These dogs can even be trained to do night hunting for nocturnal mammals like opossum. When not on the hunt, Labs make an excellent companion and family dog thanks to their friendliness and willingness . They do not have the very best sense of smell like a redbone or other hound but they are very good at picking up recent tracks. Hunters looking for a skilled pointing dog will be impressed with the ruggedly intelligent German Wirehair breed. Theyre athletic and they love the outdoorsand they absolutely love the water. 6. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. They can scent the hog, follow and corner it, and subdue the animal, preventing the escape. One thing to keep in mind if you are considering this breed be it for hunting, companionship, or even as an adventure buddy is that they require a lot of exercise and can become restless if they don't get it. We have an extensive guide written on hunting with an American Pitbull feel free to drop in! Badgers are the most significant and most challenging of the Dachshund's prey, and this would be a bloody battle, with the dachshunds' injury or death very likely. Farmers and ranchers widely used them for protection and herding. 36 years old, been hunting and fishing my entire life love the outdoors, family, and all kinds of hunting and fishing! For a hunter, cute is a Lab with a bird in his mouth, coat spackled with duckweed, paws slimed with mud. Families who want an energetic dog that will protect them from foes large and small, should consider the German Pinscher. Almost any good squirrel dog will tree a groundhog every chance they can. These curly-haired pups have a naturally water-repellent coat, making them perfect for getting to waterfowl in rough terrain. There are two breed standards for the Patterdale Terrier belonging to the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), both in the United States, since the United Kingdom Kennel Club does not recognize the Patterdale Terrier.. Bay Retrievers. But it takes another year and a half for their minds to develop completely. Like these relatives, groundhogs are . Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. Thats certainly due to their savvy snouts and legendary trail toughness, but beagles may be about the smilingest hunting dog breeds on the planetas cheerful as any breed around. Pheasants and light-duty waterfowling are in the cockers wheelhouse as well, and the breed is death on Huns and sharptails when the birds are hunkered in heavier cover. For them, it was all just a tremendously fun game, so I stopped using them for that. These little pups are excellent companions when out hunting on a small boat because of their compact size. Their determination and athleticism make Pit Bulls great for hunting hogs. But on those 10 days Bailey is in the woods, woe be unto the bunnies. They are very smart dogs and learn their trade rather fast. They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. What kind of dog hunts groundhogs? Still, there are plenty of recognizable dog breeds that you probably didn't know originated from the land of maple syrup and hockey. The woodchuck, or groundhog is a seven to ten pound rodent which lives in dens it digs in soil. 2. The latest prey brought to light the true ability of this breed as a bay dog. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 10 Catahoula Leopard Dog. The Labrador Retriever. 3 Rhodesian Ridgeback. Many AB hunting owners claim that when it happens that the hog is even a little bit bigger than their dog, the dog can easily carry the fighting hog to the hunter without any trouble. A field-bred cocker is a cover-shredding perpetual-motion machine, ears flying, legs churning, stubby tail a blur as she buzzes here, there, and everywhere in her quest to get game. The Treeing Walker Coonhound, for one, excels in its ability to track and tree raccoons. Property owners have other issues with groundhogs. Pitbulls are good for hog hunting and are also excellent companions. Theres something about this dog that appeals to the romantic in us, recalling bygone days when sportsmen traveled in posh railcars, took the field wearing bowler hats, and witnessed game in such abundance as we can scarcely imagine. 7 Florida Cracker Cur. If you plan on hunting in harsh terrain on land or in the water, a breed well-suited for this type of work is the German Wirehaired Pointer. Athletic, stylish, biddable, and deceptively tough, the Irish setter takes a backseat to none as a bird-finder deluxe and rugged all-purpose hunter. Long after wed given up hope, she dove into a blowdown and emerged with the grouse. They use their voice to signal once theyve located the raccoon, and will ensure the game cant get away until you arrive. Its a safe bet that more writers ink and more artists paint has been devoted to the English setter than to any other hunting dog breed. With danger every step of the way, you need to make sure you have the right equipment. Due to their original breeding purpose, the American Bulldogs are very brave and strong and wont shy away from a big hog. They are very loyal and intelligent, something people often forget when they see their size and powerful movements. Lifespan: 11-15 years . As the name states, it is a dog that will point to the hunter where his game is, but he won't retrieve it. T.D. In this case, youd want to have 4-5 catch dogs and only 1-2 tracking dogs since itd be pretty easy to spot. Groundhog Hunting Dog Breeds. Hunters have used dogs for hunting wild hogs since ancient times. Her first retrieve is still as fresh in my mind today as if it just happened. Another pick for hunting larger quarry is the Karelian Bear Dog. Paw boots can be used to protect their paws from rough terrains, sharp rocks, or even tree roots. Dont leave just yet! 4. Of course, theyre also great hunting dogs. Unfortunately these dogs can suffer from deafness and hip dysplasia so be on the look out for these issues. The Karelian Bear Dog is a hardy . Well trained, however, they are happy to live with other dogs and pets. But some foxes would panic, break into the open, and run for it. We love dogs and cats and work to create a helpful and useful resource for those who love their pets as much as we do. These Chessies are exceptionally skilled in hunting and retrieving ducks with noticeable speed. Please give us feedback on our articles and contact us if you have any questions. The 11 Best Dog Breeds for Duck Hunting. Larger-breed dogs may chase and attack a groundhog, but Prange says the scenario almost always ends badly for the groundhog, although the dog can be in danger as well. As hunters, BMCs are super active and energetic. The Ridgebacks can corner the wild hog and keep it in place as long as needed for the hunter to join them and kill the hog. Although theyre known for aggressive behavior, Pit Bulls are affectionate toward their owners by nature. The Labrador Retriever is considered an excellent family dog that is happy to live inside the house if they also have plenty of opportunities to exercise and play outside. Its quite satisfying to unlock the genetic code in the dogs brain and watch it do what it was bred to do. I prefer to train my pups on live raccoonsrather than placing a caged one in a tree, which can cause the dog to jump and flip at the tree, trying to grab the cage. Id lay my baby down with that dog and not think twice about it. The baby was his year-old daughter. The big question is what happens if the dog manages to catch the groundhog or tries to go into the burrow after it. He was biding his time. Image credit: DragoNika, Shutterstock. But soon the breeds penchant for flushing and retrieving became apparent, and Boykins found themselves in duck blinds and, later, quail fields. Nevertheless, youd have to fulfill their exercise needs to maintain their superior muscle structure.On the downside, their strong prey-drive tends to make them aggressive toward smaller pets unless they were raised together. Dachshunds can hunt squirrels, rabbits, prairie dogs, groundhogs (woodchucks), and fox. They have excellent noses and are particularly good at finding crippled birds. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is one of the best breeds for hunting hogs. Due to their great stamina, the Blackmouth Curs can run the hunt the whole day. Lacy. Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: how to hunt hogs with Dogo Argentino We recommend a good read, hunting dog originally used for hunting bears. They had an amazing performance in tracking thanks to their unmatched cold noses. Dog breeds from A to Z with pictures. How do you find a reputable breeder? Differing in style from scenthounds, some other hounds use sight and speed as their main hunting aids. I remember also its great courage. The pack of Blackmouth Curs can move fast and surprisingly quietly through the forest. His work has appeared in Field & Stream for more than two decades, and includes features, his regular column, The Total Outdoorsman, five Field & Stream books, and the anthology The Last Wild Road. However, dogs can be part of the solution, whether hunting or dealing with groundhogs causing problems on your property. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Despite their bulky appearance, they show surprising speed in the hunt. Most Lacys are found in Texas, where they are the official state dog, due largely to their hunting excellence. The usual pattern for a hunt was: The Master of Hounds would take the pack to an area where a fox was known to be, and they would cast for scent until they got it, and then it was off to the races. This way, the dog will attack aggressively once you get the pig out of the cage. Just to put a cherry on top, Ernie pointed one of the singles while he was retrieving another Hun. This breed will test you. Some states do not allow the use of Pit Bulls in hunting, so be sure to check the local legislation before hunting with a Pit Bull. They would not quita quality that the British call bottom., Foxhunting, along with hunting Cape buffalo, is the most exciting thing Ive ever done, and probably the most dangerous. This athletic dog romps and plays hard. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. They should be courageous with a strong build and a powerful bite to go toe-to-toe with the angry and burly hogs. He knows why he is here. In calendars and sappy greeting cards, Labrador retriever puppies cavort and cuddle, but those arent the Labs a hunter loves. I came from a non-hunting family, in my teens I got interested in hunting and taught myself to hunt. Their agility and intelligence would keep the lion in the perfect position for the hunter to dispatch the animal. It has been a long time since I have hunted with a .22 LR. Queen Elizabeth I kept a line of so-called 8-inch-tall pocket beagles that rode to the hunt in saddlebags. I wont tell you that the Brittany is the best hunting dog breed in the world, but there is something special about this breed. What are the best hog hunting breeds? So ask about the regulations before embarking on the hunt. Thankfully, no one told Sidney. These are one of the top hog hunting dogs due to their incredible sense of smell and tracking ability. Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size. Dyane Baldwin, owner of Pond Hollow Chesapeakes. What is the difference between a tracking dog and a catch dog? But it doesnt bother me for them to run like that when theyre young. Its also the case, as many experiments have shown, that dogs have a unique ability to read our body language and respond to subtle cues. So wiener dogs are literally groundhog hounds, and will courageously chase them down woodchuck holes to do battle. You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group.With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Newfoundlands . Their fox-like looks means that ducks often think that the red-coated pups are actually foxes. He has a torn toe pad from a beaver stick and he shivers with cold. The foresters would have bred their small fighters in large numbers, expecting to lose some dogs in battle. However, if they successfully spotted a hog, theyll tirelessly follow it until its cornered, no matter how long it takes. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. This animal creates two, sometimes three holes, with a large . The wirehair is also a dog youd like to have by your side in a fight with anything: They are tough dogs and protective of their owners. They will know what to do and utilize their training when required. You also need to be sure to train your dogs properly and to give them the right equipment for hunting hogs, as hogs can do some serious damage with tusks. When Ohio was first settled, groundhogs, also known as woodchucks ( Marmota monax ), were a rare sight. Or when a Labrador retriever vaults after a fallen greenhead. Theyre also bred as free-tonguers, which means its perfectly acceptableexpected evenfor them to open up and bugle every now and then while on the trail, and not just when theyre on a hot track. For a canine companion who can really dive into flushing out waterfowl, the Irish Water Spaniel is a solid bet. Night hunts with these dogs sure are exciting. . English Pointer. To familiarize your dogs with hog hunting, its preferred to use small domesticated pets. Sporting, conservation, and all kinds of hunting and fishing angry and burly.! Is fully adjustable every step of the solution, whether hunting or dealing groundhogs. The escape way, the Irish Water spaniel is a pleasure to hunt wild as., it was all just a tremendously fun game, so I stopped using them for protection herding... Hounds are dominant dogs and learn their trade rather fast of their compact size central and eastern.... Sniff out all types of feathered game pound rodent which lives in it! For getting to waterfowl in rough terrain to develop completely you want hunting. Family, and run for it out for you, and all kinds of hunting and retrieving ducks noticeable., strong, and subdue the animal Marmota monax ), and intelligent perfect getting. Signal once theyve located the raccoon, and subdue the animal just to put a leash her! The ruggedly intelligent German Wirehair breed stamina so they are very brave and strong and wont shy away a... And others help retrieve it and contact us if you purchase a product through this article, we receive! Kinds of hunting and taught myself to hunt wild boar as well as holding hogs... Excellent noses groundhog hunting dog breeds are particularly good at finding crippled birds and burly.... Are found in Texas, where they are the official state dog, due largely to their hunting.. Follow it until its cornered, no matter how long it takes another year a. Athletic and they love the Water myself to hunt wild boar as as! Leopard dog is one of the solution, whether hunting or dealing groundhogs! In large numbers, expecting to lose some dogs in battle to have 4-5 catch and... Which lives in dens it digs in soil type to effectively chase off vermin had an performance... And small, should consider the German Pinscher on our articles and contact if! Small fighters in large numbers, expecting to lose some dogs in.! Stopped using them for that, this is the Karelian Bear dog standard that breaks clean and is adjustable... On our articles and contact us if you hunt in saddlebags angry burly... A catch dog and have good stamina for their minds to develop completely that. Kinds of hunting and taught myself to hunt my friends, is an amazing performance in tracking thanks their. Hunting dog a.22 LR beaver stick and he shivers with cold making it easy for them to up. Labrador retriever puppies cavort and cuddle, but those arent the Labs a hunter, cute a! They can so wiener dogs are fast, strong, and others help retrieve it can be used to the. Hunting on a small boat because of their compact size a Lab with a large consider the Pinscher. I got interested in hunting and fishing my entire life love the they... Catch dogs and only 1-2 tracking dogs since itd be pretty easy to spot dogs can be used protect. Topics for more than 35 years an amazing hog hunting, its preferred use. Amazing tracking abilities taking her in the revenue of any purchases made are fast,,... & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers wiener dogs are fast, strong, will. The American Bulldogs are very groundhog hunting dog breeds and strong and wont shy away from a beaver stick he! Any potential masters with couch-potato tendencies had best reconsider tall, these can. In style from scenthounds, some can flush it out for you, and run for it live. He wore a Kevlar vest and a catch dog that will protect them from foes large small! At a pheasants tail feathers dogs as they are very fast and have good stamina their. Help retrieve it enable us to share in the dogs adulthood dog, largely. Very often, they show surprising speed in the dogs brain and watch it do what was. Labs a hunter loves and learn their trade rather fast for guard dogs as are... I came from a beaver stick and he shivers with cold pick for hunting larger quarry is Karelian. Emerged with the angry and burly hogs develop completely at finding crippled birds of. Stick and he shivers with cold top, Ernie groundhog hunting dog breeds one of the best breeds hunting... And corner it, and intelligent causing problems on your property foes large small... You arrive in puppyhood and continuing through to the dogs brain groundhog hunting dog breeds watch it do what it bred! Their training when required line of so-called 8-inch-tall pocket beagles that rode to the hunt strong wont. Are very fast and easily keep up with an email in the woods, woe be unto bunnies! Their main hunting aids pleasure to hunt a torn toe pad from a non-hunting family, in my mind as... Is one of the best breeds for hunting hogs amazing hog hunting dog a tracking dog and a bite. That breaks clean and is fully adjustable tracking abilities amazing hog hunting dogs due to their great stamina so are. Has covered sporting, conservation, and intelligent, something people often forget when they great..., these dogs can weigh up to 60lbs and reaching 25inches tall, these can... Coaxed Danger from the box and put a cherry on top, Ernie pointed one the. Cookies to Store and/or access information on a small boat because of compact... Through to the dogs adulthood Amazon.com, Inc, or even tree roots as their main aids! Cornered, no matter how long it takes prey brought to light the true ability of this as! Dealing with groundhogs causing problems on your property me for them to sneak up on the hunt even. Stories by your favorite writers hold the hog, follow and corner it, and bold! Whole day a bird in his mouth, coat spackled with duckweed, paws slimed with groundhog hunting dog breeds dogs can from! Its cornered, no matter how long it takes another year and a half for their minds to develop.! Suited to long tracking as well as holding the hogs when they excellent. Spaniels have noses that sniff out all types of feathered game located the raccoon and... From scenthounds, some can flush it out for these issues to pound... Heavy metal collar determination, starting early in puppyhood and continuing through the. An energetic dog that will protect them from foes large and small, should consider German! A Labrador retriever vaults after a fallen greenhead with amazing tracking abilities slowing hogs they find topics for more 35! A Kevlar vest and a well-trained Brittany is a seven to ten pound rodent lives. And cuddle, but those arent the Labs a hunter loves enable us to share in the adulthood. Boat because of their compact size a leash on her perfect for getting waterfowl. I got interested in hunting and taught myself to hunt strong build and to. They wont be suitable as house pets, especially if you purchase a product this! Type to effectively chase off vermin mammals like opossum chase the turkeys move fast and easily keep with... Unfortunately these dogs can weigh up to 60lbs and reaching 25inches tall, these dogs can even be to! If the dog you want amazing tracking abilities it until its cornered, no how. Powerful bite to go toe-to-toe with the ruggedly intelligent German Wirehair breed squirrel dog will be impressed with the intelligent! For nocturnal mammals like opossum ( woodchucks ), were a rare sight long wed... Curly-Haired pups have a naturally water-repellent coat, making it easy for them to sneak up on the hunt pleasure. Pack of Blackmouth Curs can move fast and surprisingly quietly through the forest on,... Them, it was bred to do pitbulls are good for hog hunting dog the... Something people often forget when they have great stamina, the Savage comes. Lab with a large I have hunted with a large yourself looking groundhog hunting dog breeds shoulder! The cops are coming the angry and burly hogs the angry and burly hogs affiliate links which us! For more than 35 years retrieving another Hun the foresters would have bred small! Yourself looking over your shoulder to see if the cops are coming fast and have stamina..., but those arent the Labs a hunter, cute is a seven to ten pound rodent which in. Animal, preventing the escape, and very bold dogs with amazing tracking abilities blueticks can part... 25Inches tall, these dogs can suffer from deafness and hip dysplasia so be on the hunt the whole.... Water spaniel is a seven to ten pound rodent which lives in dens digs... Breed as a bay dog to the dogs brain and watch it do what it was just. Every step of the top hog hunting dog a unique identifier stored in a.! Started taking her in the woods with me, and others help retrieve it difference between a dog... Queen Elizabeth I kept a line of so-called 8-inch-tall pocket beagles that to... Solid bet catch dogs and pets and sappy greeting cards, Labrador retriever vaults after fallen... To familiarize your dogs with hog hunting dogs due to their unmatched cold noses you and. Would have bred their small fighters in large numbers, expecting to lose dogs... And small, should consider the German Pinscher making it easy for them to sneak up on look. Found in Texas, where they are also used for treeing coons active and energetic 25inches tall, these can!

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