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7 Brown Hunting Dog Breeds Good For Any Hunter

Thanks to their sharp senses, intellect, and athleticism, brown hunting dogs tend to be a favorite choice among hunters.

Known for their loyalty, the ability of these breeds to locate and recover game is one of the primary reasons they are highly regarded.

That’s all because it makes them an important companion in the field.

Below we will take a look at some of the top brown hunting dog breeds that are famous for their skill as hunters.

These dogs are known for their ability to excel in the field.

Even the most seasoned hunters are sure to be impressed by these breeds, which range from the traditional German Short Haired Pointer to the multi-talented Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

1. German Shorthaired Pointer

brown german shorthaired pointer

The energetic, medium-sized German Shorthaired Pointer is a gundog of all trades who thrives on strenuous activity, constructive training, and a great deal of love.

This breed is known for its versatility and adaptability.  

Male German Shorthaired Pointers can range in height from 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder and in weight from 55 to 70 pounds, while females are typically smaller than their male counterparts.

The color of the coat can vary from full liver (a reddish brown) to liver and white in patterns that are easily recognizable.

The black eyes radiate warmth and friendliness to anybody who looks into them.

GSPs are renowned for their strength, speed, agility, and endurance; these traits allow them to work long days in the field or at the lake.

The overall appearance is frequently referred to using descriptors such as “noble” and “aristocratic.”

GSPs make wonderful family pets because they are easy to train and form strong attachments to their owners.

They are constantly eager to participate in strenuous activities such as jogging, swimming, or competing in organized canine sports; in fact, they are game for anything that will allow them to expend some of their limitless amount of energy while spending time outdoors with a human companion.

2. Labrador Retriever

chocolate labrador retriever lying on grass

The sweet-natured and amiable Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the United States.

A family searching for a medium-to-large dog might consider getting a Labrador retriever since they are social, gregarious, and high-spirited companions who have more than enough affection to go around.

They also make great hunting companions! 

The strong and well-balanced Labrador Retriever can range in height from 21.5 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and in weight from 55 to 80 pounds, depending on the sex.

Their height at the shoulder can also vary.

The thick, tough coat is available in three colors: yellow, black, and a rich chocolate brown.

The head is broad, the eyes sparkle with friendliness, and the strong, tapering ‘otter tail’ appears to always be signaling the breed’s intrinsic enthusiasm to work.

It’s common knowledge that Labs are a friendly breed.

The Lab is an eager athlete that needs a significant amount of activity on a regular basis, such as swimming and playing fetch for an extended period of time, in order to stay physically and psychologically fit.

3. Field Spaniel

brown Field Spaniel retrieving pheasant for hunter

The gentle and empathetic Field Spaniel is known for its peaceful nature, yet when it comes to play or working in the field, this dog is spirited and willing to try anything.

Although they aren’t high in number, these near relatives of Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels have a huge amount of charisma despite their rarity.

The Cocker, Springer, and Sussex spaniels are all members of the same breed family as the Field Spaniel.

The recognizable glossy coat might be black, a shade of liver, or a blend of the two colors. Beyond breed standards you’ll find other colors, like a rich tan.

These dogs should have a shoulder height of 17 or 18 inches and give the impression of being well-balanced and fairly sized hunting buddies.

The large ears, which are covered with feathers, frame a facial expression that exudes a solemn and kindly intellect.

Field Spaniels have kind and sensitive personalities, and they retain just the right amount of independence to keep life exciting.

They are reliable around children, tolerant of one another as well as other mammals, and amenable to being trained.

The breed standard in the United States refers to these calm house dogs as being “unusually docile,” but they are nevertheless very playful and like having a good time running around in the backyard.

4. Basset Fauve de Bretagne

Basset Fauve de Bretagne
image: pc.david, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is one serious little hunter that is able to easily adapt to all kinds of game and terrain thanks to its intelligence, bravery, and dogged determination.

It is also a wonderful companion dog because it is happy, intelligent, and willing to perform what its master asks of it.

The Basset Fauve de Bretagne, also known as the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset, is a little dog that is stocky, has a rough coat, and is hardy.

Despite its small size, this dog is incredibly active and quick for its stature.

The Fauve is good with both children and other animals, including other pets.

Fauves absolutely need to be trained and socialized or else they might get into trouble.

Although they are not bothersome barkers, you will be alerted if a rabbit runs through your yard because they will give the dog its “voice” and rush after it.

This breed is perfectly content whether it is running and playing in the field or snuggling up close to the family on the couch.

5. Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, known as the best duck dog in the Mid-Atlantic region, is an American original that exemplifies the traditional qualities of an excellent retriever.

These characteristics include being devoted, enthusiastic, affectionate, and tireless.

The Chessie is well-known for having a coat that is waterproof.

The shoulder height of a Chessie can range anywhere from 21 to 26 inches, indicating that this breed is a strongly built gundog.

The male can potentially weigh up to 175 kilograms (80 lb).

The defining characteristic of this breed is a coat that is wavy and feels greasy to the touch.

Chessies have eyes that are bright yellow-amber in color and acute pupils that are the perfect match to their coat’s chocolate brown, sedge, or deadgrass coloration.

Chessies are gundogs that are emotionally deeper and more nuanced than the average breed.

They may participate in training, but Chessies have a mind of their own and are able to persistently pursue their own path.

They are respectful of other people, but they do not go out of their way to be friends with those they do not know.

Chessies are adaptable canines who make for great watchdogs and have a lot of energy.

A Chessie that has been properly socialized is an assured friend and an exceptional hunting companion.

6. Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound

Bavarian Mountain Scenthound
image: Canarian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is a patient and even-tempered dog who is faithful to its master yet timid among others.

He is a strong, self-assured, fearless, and biddable dog who is neither intimidated nor aggressive.

This breed was developed in Germany.

The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is referred to in its native German as the Bayerischer Gebirgsschweisshund.  

The exceptional “cold nose” tracking abilities of this breed is without a doubt its most noticeable characteristic.

Because of the sharpness of his nose, he is able to tell the difference between the injured wildlife he is hunting and other members of the same species.

This breed, which tends to be on the smaller side but is still quite energetic and moderate in size, is dedicated to his master yet wary of strangers.

He is not a dog that does well in kennels and much rather be with his human family.

7. American English Coonhound

American English Coonhound

In their hunt of the crafty raccoon, these sleek and racy, slim yet powerful hounds labor tirelessly from dusk till dawn.

Heaven on earth for a coon hunter is the sight of an American English Coonhound dashing through the moonlit woods, all sinew and resolve, bellowing their lusty night melody.

The American English Coonhound is a deep-chested, sweet-faced athlete that can reach a shoulder height of up to 26 inches and is prized by sportsmen for its speed and stamina.

A coat of medium length and a variety of designs, some with ticking, are stretched tautly across the athletic frame and held there by a belt.

The head is broad with a domed skull, and it has soft ears that hang low and are set at an angle.

The eyes are a dark brown color, and they radiate warmth and love.

When they are not on the job, American English Coonhounds are calm and laid-back, but when they are hunting ring-tailed prey, they are tenacious and stubborn.

The breed’s high level of work drive and activity, the patience required to teach them for activities other than raccoon hunting, and their loud, ringing bark can make them an unsuitable choice for first-time owners looking to keep dogs as house pets.

Some ardent lovers of the American English Coonhound believe that if you do not provide a sporting outlet for the houndy virtues possessed by this breed, you are doing nothing more than squandering a good dog.

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