Laid Back Hunting Dogs

A crucial characteristic of hunting dogs is their willingness to work with their owners. This characteristic makes them excellent family dogs and pets. Some hunting dogs are very high energy which will not suit every home. Others may be extremely attached to only one family member, which can be challenging. So which hunting dogs are laid back and good as family pets?

Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, English cocker spaniels, bassets, and beagles are all good hunting dogs that are laid back and make good family pets. They fit in well with people and other dogs. They can be trained to get on with smaller pets and are good with children. 

Choosing the ideal family dog can be challenging as there are so many breeds to choose from. People can give conflicting, unscientific advice based on a single dog they have known. It is important to look at the breed characteristics and choose from that profile.

Labrador Retrievers – Happy Socialites

Labrador retrievers are rightfully one of the most popular dog breeds in the world today. They were originally bred as hunting dogs. Their role was to retrieve game, mostly birds, from land or water. Their cheerful demeanors and easy-going temperaments make them popular as hunting dogs and family pets.

Labrador retrievers are the quintessential family dogs. They are excellent dogs with children, although they can be boisterous and knock over small children accidentally. Labradors will happily engage in any adventures they can with their family members.

Children, Labrador retrievers, and swimming pools are a combination that results in much laughter, squeals of delight, and happy splashing. Labradors have boundless energy when playing in the water and will retrieve toys from the water for as long as someone is happy to play the game.

Labradors are companionable dogs that are sensitive to their owner’s emotions. They are commonly used as service dogs because of this. They have low grooming needs, and their coats are easy to manage.

Golden Retrievers: Gentle Hunting Dogs

Golden retrievers are hunting dogs used to retrieve birds that had been shot or injured by the hunter. They have what is described as a soft mouth. This means that they carefully carried the quarry back to the hunter without biting into the bird or damaging it.

The golden retriever’s soft mouth is a reflection of their general temperament. They are gentle dogs and quite a bit calmer and less boisterous than young Labradors. This makes them excellent family pets, even with young children.

Golden retrievers, affectionately known as goldies, are known for intuitively steering children away from danger and protecting them where possible.

They are also dogs that are popular as therapy and service dogs. Their gentleness and intelligence make them difficult to beat when it comes to comforting the sick and aiding the disabled.

Goldies are excellent with other pets of all kinds. They are easy to train and obedient dogs. Goldies do not respond well to harsh training methods and need kind training based on positive reinforcement.

Golden retrievers have long coats which need regular grooming. Their coats are not difficult to manage, but they should be thoroughly brushed at least once or twice a week.     

English Cocker Spaniels – Laid Back Hunting Dogs

English cocker spaniels were and still are used in hunting to flush out birds from dense, thick undergrowth. Their small size allowed them to penetrate brush that bigger dogs could not. Many hunters refuse to go hunting without cocker spaniels. Many hunters have stated that “a hunt would not be the same without a merry cocker by your side.”

English cocker spaniels are indeed one of the most cheerful, resilient little dogs you can find. They do not have the small dog feisty temperament of wanting to fight everything bigger than themselves.

They are usually sociable little dogs that get on well with other pets. Their instinct to chase can be triggered by birds. Even if they catch the bird, most cockers will not harm the bird as they have a soft mouth.

Well-bred English cocker spaniels are gentle and patient with children. They prefer to walk away if the child inadvertently hurts them. They are eager to be involved in any activity the family is busy with.

Cocker spaniels are not dogs that can be left outside and excluded from the home. They are happiest with their owners, preferably within touching distance. Many cocker spaniel owners joke about not being allowed privacy in the bathroom as their cocker wants to accompany them.

Cocker spaniels are remarkably hardy little dogs and have surprising endurance for small dogs. They can run for miles and still be ready for more.

They do not respond well to harsh training, which brings out their stubborn streak. If they are trained using positive reinforcement, they learn quickly and are eager to please. 

Bassets And Beagles Are Laid Back Hounds

Bassets and beagles both fall into the hound group of dogs. They are used on the hunting field to track down game for the hunters. Their sense of smell is phenomenally powerful, and they are literally led by the nose. They need to be in secure homes because of this.

Despite being so distracted by their noses, bassets and beagles are both laid back dogs that make good family pets. Their coats are short and easy to keep looking good. Both dogs were designed for hunting in packs, making them good with other dogs. They may be tempted to chase cats but are easily corrected and usually will not chase if socialized with cats from young.

Bassets are less energetic and happier to laze around than beagles. Bassets fit in well with owners that enjoy a more sedate daily walk. Beagles are more energetic and have higher exercise needs, although these are not excessive.

Beagles and bassets are generally patient and tolerant of children. It is essential to teach children not to ride on bassets and treat all dogs respectfully. For some reason, children often seem tempted to ride bassets, but this is unkind and hurts the dog.

Hounds are quirky dogs that are entertaining, and it definitely helps to have a sense of humor to own one. They are stubborn at times and not always the easiest to train, but their easy-going temperament makes up for it.  

Caution: Choose A Reputable Breeder

The temperaments described here are the breed standards. It is critical to understand that irresponsible breeding has led to dogs with unstable temperaments that do not meet the breed standard.

When purchasing a puppy, always thoroughly investigate breeders, looking for those that breed for true temperaments and health. Many dogs may have unstable temperaments because of pain from health conditions.

Conclusion

Choosing a hunting dog breed with a laid back temperament is a good way to select a reliable family pet that will give a lot of joy. Remember to match the dog’s energy level to the family’s activity level.

References

https://thegermanshepherder.com/heres-why-labradors-are-so-popular-the-world-over/

https://www.loveyourdog.com/beagle-vs-basset-hound/

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/golden-retriever

https://pethero.co.za/dog-breeds/english-cocker-spaniel/

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