The history between man and his most faithful companion goes back thousands of years. Since its domestication, the dog has followed man in his various activities. Certain breeds, resulting from successive crossbreeding, have shown exceptional skills for hunting. These are the hunting dogs highly appreciated today by hunters, but also by individuals, such as the beagle and the spaniel, at the top of the list of favorite pets of the French. What are the origins of these dogs? What types of breeds are there and what is their diet? How can they be trained and effectively prepared for hunting? Discover some answers without further delay!
The Origins of Hunting Dogs
While it can be assumed that the origin of dogs comes from the taming of wolves around human habitations thousands of years ago, primarily for hunting, and that through successive crossbreeding and selection, the various hunting dogs we know today appeared, it cannot be said that these hunting companions are hybrids between domestic dogs and wolves. The first tamed canids were already hunters, and over the centuries, selections were made based on the dog's aptitude for a particular type of hunting, or for herding in the case of the sheepdog.
The Domestication of the Wolf
Hunting dogs existed since 8,000 BC, at the end of the Paleolithic era, where the first evidence of cohabitation between the two species was found, including bones and cave paintings. The wild species, the wolf, gradually approached humans, as humans were superior in hunting, due to their ability to make tools, use traps, and organize. Getting used to the proximity of humans, it is likely that wolf packs (or weak individuals from the pack trying to survive), hunting the same prey, followed the groups of hunters from a distance to take advantage of their lost catches. Gradually, humans managed to tame the canid and made it an excellent hunting companion to drive game.
Although scientists are currently unable to establish with certainty whether the wolf and the dog are different species or just one species and subspecies, it is commonly accepted that the socialization of wolves began during this period. Wolf pups were taken and raised by humans, taken from their mothers less than 4 weeks after birth. Humans noticed that the wolf had excellent hunting skills, thanks to its highly developed sense of smell, endurance, and innate sense of predation. Thus, humans tamed them to make them true hunting companions. By selection, the individuals most suited to life with humans were favored, and masters and their four-legged friends quickly became inseparable.
The Origin of Hunting Dogs in Major Regions of the World
The history of hunting dogs goes back thousands of years. In antiquity, hunting dogs were already used by the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. In Egypt, for example, temples bore images of scent hounds moving in packs. Regardless of their breeds or types, they were all selected by humans to provide support during hunting. Terrier-type dogs, for instance, were noted by the Romans in 55 BC. But it was not until 1570 that they were grouped and described by the physician of the Queen of England.
As for pointing dogs like the Brittany Spaniel (17th century), they were primarily selected over the centuries in France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Moreover, scent hounds like the beagle are believed to have originated from England. Among the French hunting heritage, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne (14th century) and the Braque du Bourbonnais (16th century) have stood the test of time thanks to their exceptional hunting skills. These French dog breeds are still highly appreciated today by experienced hunters.
The Middle Ages was therefore a period during which a great diversity of hunting dog breeds developed, several of which are now extinct due to gradual selections and crossbreeding, such as the Chien Gris de Saint-Louis and the Talbot. The great hunting book written by Gaston Phébus in the 14th century already contained drawings of Dalmatians and Greyhounds.
The Original Identification of Some Scent Hounds
To give an idea of the evolution of the hunting dog, among the lines that hunters know well today, the Basset Artésien Normand comes from a crossbreeding carried out in the 19th century. This crossbreeding involved a Norman Basset and another from Artois. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne descends from the Chien Gris de Saint-Louis, and its description was officially recorded in 1921. In 1561, Jacques du Fouilloux identified and described the Rough-Haired Scent Hound. The Kennel Club classified the Basset Hound in 1883.
The beagle has been present in England since the 15th century. The Ariégeois comes from a cross between the Briquet de l'Ariège and the Bleu de Gascogne, appearing in the 19th century. The Bruno du Jura, of Swiss origin, comes from the Saint Hubert. This list is of course not exhaustive, and the enumeration of all varieties of hunting dogs would be too long, but it reflects the work done by hunters and breeders over the past centuries.
The Different Types of Hunting Dogs
Hunting dogs include scent hounds, pointing dogs, bloodhounds, retrievers, and pack hounds.
Scent Hounds
They help hunters detect the presence of game.
Description
They use their sense of smell or sight to detect the presence of deer, roe deer, foxes, hares, wild boars, etc. As soon as they find the target, they start barking and chasing it. Some scent hounds are trained to hunt only one specific species of animal. The category of scent hounds includes several species such as the Bruno du Jura, the Bleu de Gascogne, the beagle, the griffon, the Ariégois, and the Saluki. The beagle has a coat colored in black, white, and tan, among others. Depending on its training, the scent hound may chase its prey as soon as it spots it.
Qualities
Scent hounds have exceptional endurance capabilities. They are very affectionate and make excellent pets. The scent hound does not catch the prey itself, but its barking serves as an indication to the hunter. They use their guide to track their master in the pursuit of game. The hunter then determines the trajectory of the game pursued by the dog.
Train your scent hound frequently to make it more skilled for hunting sessions. You can acquire equipment to facilitate its training. A collar, a whistle, and a clicker are part of the gear you should have.
Pointing Dogs
They accompany hunters in the pursuit of game birds. Their sense of smell is highly developed, allowing them to detect the presence of birds such as woodcock or grouse. They get close enough to their prey and point near the game. This act of stopping indicates the location of the tracked target to the hunter. Some pointing dogs are even able to pounce on the prey and immobilize it.
The breeds of pointing dogs include the families of pointers, spaniels (both Brittany and French), and griffons. This category also includes the pointers and setters (both English and Irish or Gordon), among other magnificent animals. The pointing dogs originating from Great Britain are suited for hunting in the plains. They can be trained to perform not only the pointing but also the retrieval of game. The British breeds might be less versatile than the Germanic breeds, such as the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Weimaraner, which can hunt on all types of terrain and any kind of game.
Blood tracking dogs
They are trained to locate the presence of large game bearing injuries. They can work both day and night and help track down a wounded, hidden prey. This skill is not only innate in these dogs, although the good breeds have excellent predispositions. It is also developed through training. In addition to the scent of blood, these dogs can sniff out adrenaline and pheromone traces. These are secreted into the air by the pursued animals.
Blood tracking dogs particularly accompany hunters during large game hunting seasons. Besides hunting, they can be used to detect an animal struck by a vehicle. They thus help rescuers quickly come to the aid of animals or even human victims during accidents. The blood-tracking dogs include the Hanoverian Scenthound, the Bavarian Mountain Hound, and the Alpine Dachsbracke, among others.
Retrievers
Retrievers are useful when a hunter shoots a bird or game that falls in an inaccessible area. Also known as retrievers, they can retrieve a shot bird that ends up in a swamp. The retriever has an excellent memory capacity. This allows them to locate the drop point of the prey targeted by the hunter. They must have a sense of restraint, knowing when to hold back. Likewise, they must know when to go in search of the game.
The Labrador Retriever is a dog known for its ancestral abilities to retrieve game. It has excellent memory and observation skills. It is very enduring and restrained. The Labrador Retriever can explore marshes, forests, bushes, and bodies of water. In the same group, we can also mention the game flushing and bush dogs such as the Springer Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel, as well as water dogs like the Barbet and the Lagotto Romagnolo.
Underground Hunting Dogs
The underground hunting dogs form a group used in underground hunting. These dogs are usually small in size and have an exceptional sense of smell. This hunting technique is little known and primarily involves hunting badgers, foxes, and coypus in the burrows they dig. There are many breeds of dogs used for underground hunting. Being small, they are mainly the Fox Terrier, the Border Terrier, Dachshunds, and the Jack Russell.
The Special Case of Greyhounds
The greyhound is a formidable hunting dog, slender and extremely fast, used for hunting in open terrain, large plains, deserts, etc. This breed, of Asian origin, classified in category 10, was originally used to hunt small game. Its name comes from the word "hare." Unlike the hound and the bloodhound, or even the pointing dog, which use their highly developed sense of smell and endurance, the greyhound relies on its excellent vision and speed to catch its prey. However, France (as well as most European countries except Spain and Portugal) has banned hunting with greyhounds and greyhound crosses since 1844, as according to the texts, they have the ability to capture game directly through their own actions without the hunter's assistance.
How and Where to Choose Your Hunting Dog?
Choosing your hunting dog is a crucial step that requires deep reflection. Certain criteria must indeed be considered. After that, you will need to go to specific places in your community where you are likely to find the hunting dog that will meet your expectations.
Which Hunting Dog Should You Choose?
First and foremost, the choice of a hunting dog will depend on the type of hunting you practice and the nature of the terrain on which you hunt. For hunting in a plain, a pointing dog or a game flusher would be suitable. The first type of dog will locate the prey and stop as soon as it is close to it. The hunter then knows where to direct his weapon. The second type of dog also goes to locate the game. As soon as it spots it, it scares the prey so that it starts to flee. Thus, the hunter aims at the game in its flight path.
For hunting in inaccessible areas, opt for a retriever such as a Labrador. It will help you retrieve birds or game that fall into a marsh or pond. For hunting in the forest, when it comes to tracking and flushing out game or pursuing wounded big game, respectively hounds and bloodhounds will be appropriate. Each dog breed with specific characteristics and qualities has been selected for this purpose.
The size of the dog is a criterion not to be overlooked. A small dog will be suitable for flushing out rodents in their burrows for small game hunting. The preference for the sex of the dog is of little importance as long as it is well trained. However, females may be less effective during gestation or heat periods. Likewise, they may be physically less stocky than males and generally shorter at the withers.
Where to Choose Your Hunting Dog?
Before acquiring a hunting dog, you can seek advice from hunting associations. You also have the option to contact the national federation of hunters. After receiving the necessary information, you can visit the veterinary shelters near your home. It is also possible to go to a kennel, a pet store, or directly to breeders in your area to choose your canine companion. When you get there, take the time to observe, if possible, the parents of the puppies you want to choose. The temperament of their parents will give you an idea of the puppy's temperament.
The Risks Faced During Hunting
During hunting, your dog is exposed to many risks that you should be aware of in order to prepare for them.
Numerous Accident Risks
During hunting, dogs are exposed to numerous accident risks such as snake bites, collisions with wild boars, accidental gunshots, vehicle collisions... When these occur, it is important to approach your dog with caution. This is because the psychological shock can make him aggressive.
Risks of hemorrhage are also to be expected after a gunshot wound or a collision with a car or wild animal. Therefore, include a hemostatic medication in your first aid kit to administer first aid before the veterinarian intervenes.
In case of a venomous snake bite such as from a viper or rattlesnake, it is imperative to inject antivenom into your dog as quickly as possible before taking him to the veterinarian. Furthermore, during the hunting season, your dog may suffer from aggravated pad wear. This is wear on the paw pads that usually occurs on abrasive surfaces (stubble, sand...). This condition can compromise your dog's hunting abilities. Fortunately, it can be prevented and treated with specific products.
Other incidents may occur, such as wasp, bee, or hornet stings, but these are generally not serious except for those occurring in the mouth. Your dog may also suffer from inflammation if he licks processionary caterpillars or other stinging insects.
Increased Risk of Diseases
Unlike the rest of the year, the hunting season increases the risk for your dog of developing certain diseases. This is because, during this season, your canine friend is more in contact with potential sources of contamination. This is explained by the fact that animals in nature often carry many germs or diseases. This is particularly the case with:
- Rabies;
- Aujeszky's disease;
- Distemper;
- Parvovirus;
- Leptospirosis;
- Piroplasmosis or babesiosis;
- Tracheobronchitis...
Although rare in the western part of the old continent, rabies remains a dangerous disease that requires sustained attention. Transmissible to humans, it manifests as a sudden change in the dog's behavior, making him more aggressive.
Aujeszky's disease is an infectious disease in dogs for which, due to its rarity, there is no specific canine treatment or specific canine vaccination. Only an inactivated vaccine against Aujeszky's disease with a marketing authorization for pigs can be used for the medical prevention of dogs. This highly contagious viral disease affects pigs (both domestic and wild boars) and, very accidentally, carnivores (including the hunting dog) and ruminants.
As for distemper, it is very common among hunting dogs. They contract it when in contact with a potentially infected animal such as a ferret, weasel, fox, or raccoon. Parvovirus, on the other hand, is contracted when the dog licks the feces or vomit of an infected individual. Furthermore, piroplasmosis is transmitted by tick bites.
A Collar to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Lost
During hunting, your dog chasing after prey can easily get lost. Such cases are indeed very frequent. That's why more and more hunters ensure the protection of hunting dogs with a GPS collar. This ingenious accessory, weighing rarely more than 200g with the strap, will allow you to quickly locate your companion wherever he may be. However, make sure to comply with current legislation regarding the use of a GPS collar during hunting. According to the hunting code, this accessory is only allowed in the context of shooting hunts and exclusively for the safety of your dog. In other cases, it should be used mainly after the hunt to gather the pack.
The utility of the GPS collar is not limited solely to hunting. If your dog is an adventurer at heart, this tool will help you find him, reducing the risks of him getting lost, stolen, or attacked. Therefore, do not hesitate to get a GPS collar for your loyal friend. You can find one on many online sales sites like PeelaGreen where you will find a special collection of dog GPS collars to choose the ideal hunting dog GPS collar. Offered are collars from the Tracksoon brand, Dogze II GPS collars for hunting dogs, as well as the excellent Alpha 100, Alpha 200, or the TT15 and TT15X from Garmin.
Some, like the TRACKSOON® T920A GPS tracking collar, work with a 4G SIM card, ensuring better network coverage. The Alpha 100, on the other hand, is appreciated for its touchscreen and numerous functions that provide excellent ergonomics and great functionality. Regarding the Garmin TT15, it serves both as a training and tracking collar. This accessory benefits from a more than respectable range thanks to its VHF antenna.
Training and Preparing the Dog for the Hunting Season
As the hunting season approaches, it is essential to prepare your dog so that he can be at his peak physical condition. Training your canine companion includes musculoskeletal endurance and paw preparation, among other things.
Musculoskeletal Endurance Preparation
Preparing dogs physically involves musculoskeletal endurance and muscular physical preparation. In the first case, it will be about exercising your dog in the weeks leading up to the hunting season. It is important that the running phases are more intense with sufficient recovery phases. This will allow your dog to endure hunting days without getting injured.
Regarding muscular physical preparation, it is mainly based on a diet adapted and rich in fatty acids to strengthen the joints.
Paw Preparation and Other Care
With poorly prepared paw pads, your dog can quickly suffer from cracks during hunting sessions. This can significantly affect his performance, as he will no longer be able to run properly. You can use a paw pad tanner for this purpose, which thickens the horny layer of the paw pads. A skin conditioner is also helpful, providing the horny layer with enough flexibility to prevent it from breaking.
Additionally, one month before the hunting season begins, it is recommended to visit the veterinarian for a comprehensive check-up.
Training Specifics
An untrained hunting dog will not be useful at the start of the season. To address this, it is essential to ensure proper training, especially tailored to the type of hunting practiced. Before this training, your dog should already be able to respond to basic commands. Hunting dogs are typically trained between 6 and 18 months. Using rewards like kibble is recommended to motivate your dog further when he responds as expected.
During training, make sure to go through the breaking-in phase, which involves training without constraint. For instance, a broken-in dog should be able to hold a point on any game. It is during this phase that your dog learns to obey your voice and whistle commands.
Similarly, you must teach your dog to get used to the gunshot. He must also be able to associate the shot with the command. To avoid frightening him too much, you can start this exercise with a cap gun.
Afterward, based on the type of hunting, you must teach him specific actions. For instance, a retriever dog must be able to obey certain words like "Fetch," "Carry," and "Give." Initially, you can teach your dog to pick up a round piece of wood in his mouth and hold onto it. He should only release the item when you give him the command.
For a tracking dog, training will mainly focus on searching, pursuing, and driving game. Additionally, for a pointing dog, specific actions can begin with farmed quails that he will learn to point. He must also obey commands like "Go get," "Fetch," or "Carry" when the game is killed.
Hunting Dogs: Nutrition and Care
A hunting dog needs sufficient energy, especially during hunting activities. This energy is provided through its diet, so the composition of its meals requires special attention.
Synthetic Nutrition, Natural Diet, and Supplements
You can opt for commercial food such as kibble. However, if you choose this option, it must be of very high quality and specifically made for hunting dogs or athletes.
Aside from synthetic foods, you can prepare your dog's meals yourself. In this case, you can include some vegetables but primarily raw meat. Preparing your dog's meals yourself requires knowledge of animal nutrition, such as for the BARF diet, for example. You can seek the help of a canine nutritionist.
During the hunting season, supplements can enhance this basic diet. They typically consist of minerals, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Feeding Guidelines
The volume and composition of your dog's meals vary depending on its breed and the hunting season.
Before Hunting
A month before the hunting season, your dog should be in optimal shape. If he is overweight, you should reduce his food intake by 30% to help him lose weight. In addition to these changes, resume training with your dog. These exercises also contribute to weight loss and ensure he is in top shape.
During Hunting
During the hunting period, your dog will expend a lot of energy. Therefore, his diet should be very rich. You should increase his food intake by at least 20%. Also, ensure that the proportion of protein is at least 80%. The fat content should not be neglected either. If you do not increase his food volume, you can keep his regular food intake but include kibble that is very rich in protein. Remember that the daily food ration for an average dog should be at least 300 g. For a large hunting dog, it should be 600 g.
What is the Composition of Canine Nutrition During the Hunting Season?
The dog's diet during the hunting season should contain proteins, fats, and possibly a small amount of plant-based mix. It should also contain fibers, minerals, and vitamins. Proteins are found in meat, fish, and eggs, contributing to the animal's muscular development and strength. Fat is found in oil, meat, and fish, providing energy to the dog. Vegetables and berries contain fibers that aid in digestion, among other benefits.
When Should You Feed Your Hunting Dog?
To prevent digestive issues, feed your dog these meals in the evening before hunting days. However, for large dogs, you can divide the daily ration into two meals. In the morning, give him the first portion, which should be light and represent a quarter of the total ration. The second portion should be given in the evening. Avoid feeding your dogs less than 3 hours before hunting.
How to Hydrate Your Dog?
A hunting dog needs to drink regularly. His daily consumption should be between 1 liter and 4 liters of water, depending on his weight. Carry a dog water bottle to hydrate him whenever necessary. Also, keep a bowl in your vehicle to properly hydrate your dog at the end of hunting sessions.
Health and Prevention
Ensuring your dog's good health involves proper prevention, including vaccinations, regular check-ups, and organ monitoring. Hygiene and periodic cleaning also contribute to maintaining his health.
Vaccinations
Make sure your furry friend is up to date with his vaccinations. These include vaccines against rabies, Aujeszky's disease, distemper, and leptospirosis. Vaccination also protects your dog's health from kennel cough.
First Aid Kit
This kit contains the necessary equipment to provide first aid to a dog injured while hunting. He may be hit by a car or accidentally shot by another hunter. The nature of the terrain can also be dangerous and cause injuries. He might get scratched by tree branches, bitten by reptiles, or attacked by a wounded animal, etc. Holding this kit is mandatory for any hunter or dog owner practicing this activity in French territory. This kit allows them to administer first aid to their dog.
Other Sanitary Precautions
Schedule a semi-annual appointment with the veterinarian to examine your dog. Make sure to administer dewormers. Deworming should be done at least 4 times a year and only with parasite control products prescribed by a veterinarian.
Coat Care
Cleaning and grooming your dog's coat is also important for his good health. Every two weeks or after returning from an expedition, remember to brush his coat. This recommendation applies to breeds with short fur like those of the pointer species. Brushing should be more frequent, for example, for long-haired pointing dogs. The spaniel, for example, falls into this category of dogs. This action allows you to spot and remove ticks, fleas, or debris from your animal's skin.
Eye and Ear Care
On a weekly basis, clean your pointing dog's eyes using cotton swabs. You can also use wipes soaked in warm water. Clean from the inner corner of the eye outward. Similarly, every month, clean your terrier dog's ears with appropriate products, usually in the form of drops.
Dental Care
Periodically check your dog's teeth for tartar buildup, redness, etc. For preventive care, purchase tablets designed for pointing dog dental and gum care or a dog tartar control spray. Additionally, you can get specially made chew bones for your terrier dog to chew on, or appropriate treats such as deer antlers, tendons, and dried beef skin.
Hunting Dogs, Ancestral Allies and Modern Companions
The dog, man's best friend, and his master have been a team since time immemorial to ensure their subsistence, and this history continues in traditions to this day, with a spectacular variety of breeds specific to hunting. Gradually, with an acceleration during the Middle Ages for their use by nobles, different hunting dogs were selected for their particular qualities related to different types of hunting. Although very efficient and often showing a lot of heart in their work, these pets, also highly appreciated in the family, especially by children, nonetheless need some preparation, training, and maintenance to stay strong and healthy.
