Hunting dogs are all dog breeds that are bred for the purpose of helping people to hunt. While some hunting dog breeds are still mainly used for this purpose today, other hunting dogs have also developed into popular family dogs.
Under the generic term hunting dog completely different races are summarized, that can differ clearly not only by its appearance and its size, but also regarding its exact use from each other.
The task of pointing dogs is to discover game and show their discovery to the hunter. For this purpose, they remain motionless and noiseless at a discovery, whereby usually a foreleg is lifted and angled. Pointing dogs do not scare the game up and do not pursue it either.
Bumper dogs look for potential loot in impassable terrain, as for example in reeds or thickenings. If they find what they are looking for, they scare the game up and drive it towards the hunter.
Ground dogs are also known as construction dogs and are used in construction hunting. They look for the game in their underground buildings, from which they either drive it out or draw attention to themselves until the hunter finds them and the game and digs it up. In this way, for example, badgers, foxes and raccoons are hunted.
The task of bloodhounds is to track down and place injured cloven-hoofed game such as wild boars and deer. Sweat dogs have an excellent sense of smell and are therefore even able to find wounded prey the next day.
Hunting dogs are the name given to hunting and pack dogs. Their task is to rush and to place the game. In Germany this form of hunting is forbidden. In other countries, however, it is still common, although it has now been restricted in part by corresponding laws.
The task of retrieving dogs is to find shot smaller animals, such as ducks or other feathered game, and to bring the prey to their hunter.
The history of hunting dogs in Germany goes back to the Middle Ages. With the purposeful breeding after race-standards, with which beside the behavior also the appearance of the dogs is considered, however, was begun only in the course of the 19th century.
Originally, Bracken were used mainly for hunting hares and foxes. Nowadays, however, the German Bracke is primarily used as a rummaging and sweat dog in the hunting of cloven-hoofed game. German Bracke are strong-willed and persevering dogs, which need sufficient employment apart from an employment as a hunting dog.
The German Shorthair is a classic pointing dog. However, it is characterized by its versatility and can therefore also be used for other areas of hunting. As family dogs these reliable hunting dogs have almost no meaning.
Also the German wire hair counts to the pointing dogs. The breed developed, just like the German Shorthair, at the end of the 19th century. Among the possible areas of application of the German Wire Hair is besides the pointing work also the retrieving.
The German Hunting Terrier is mainly used for hunting as a ground dog and a rummaging dog. It has an excellent sense of smell and a courageous nature, which benefits it with the hunt. Apart from hunting dogs, German hunting terriers are also partly used as rescue dogs.
The small Münsterländer is a small breed of pointing dogs, which is also suitable as a sweat and retrieving dog. Apart from hunting, the Kleine Münsterländer is today a popular family dog, which can also be trained as a rescue dog.