Home » Bear Hunting Dog Breeds

Bear Hunting Dog Breeds

Historically bears have been hunted not only for sport but also to control rising bear populations in areas close to human habitations. While most dog breeds can track the scent of bears, only a handful can bring them down.

List of Bear Hunting Dog Breeds

1. Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is occasionally used for hunting polar bears.

2. American Foxhound

While the American Foxhound can effectively track and chase a bear, especially in a pack, as running dogs are generally less thrilled when bringing down their quarry.

3. American Pit Bull Terrier

The American Pit Bull Terrier has impressive fighting capabilities. With proper training, it can attack any larger animal than it, including bears.

4. Black and Tan Coonhound

Like other coonhounds, the black and tan coonhound is excellent at trapping a bear in a tree for the hunter to finish off.

5. Bloodhound

While not quite capable of bringing down a bear, the strong scent-tracking capabilities and excellent hearing possessed by the bloodhound make it a great help for hunters to figure out the exact position of the bear they are hunting.

6. Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Fearless and loyal, the Caucasian Shepherd will be released ahead before the hunter enters the forest. These dogs will track and corner the bear for the hunter to kill it safely.

7. Chinese Bear Hunting Dog

Known for their intelligence, the Chinese bear hunting dog has been used for centuries to bring down black bears in China.

8. Dogo Argentino

Initially bred in South America to hunt boars and pumas, the Dogo Argentino is a great breed to train to hunt bears.

9. English Coonhound

While these dogs are difficult to train, they are excellent at running a bear into a tree and are faster than many other hunting dogs.

10. German Shorthaired Pointer

As their name indicates, these dogs are great at tracking and pointing out the location of the bear being hunted.

11. German Wirehaired Pointer

These dogs can track down a bear with the help of their strong sense of smell.

12. Irish Setter

Though it may take time to train them to hunt a particular animal, Irish Setters are obedient and have often been used in bear hunts.

13. Karelian Bear Dog

Specifically bred to hunt black bears in Finland, the Karelian Bear Dog is great at hunting bears and chasing them away non-lethally.

15. Plott Hound

Athletic and intelligent, the Plott hound is quite popular since it is willing to bring down a bear instead of just cornering its quarry.

16. Redbone Coonhound

Like other coonhounds, the redbone coonhound can bring down large prey like a bear.

17. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Customarily used to hunt lions, the Rhodesian Ridgeback can also handle bears.

18. Tibetan Mastiff

These huge dogs can not only track bears, as historically they have been used to hunt black bears, but they can also fend off an attacking bear if needed.

20. Weimaraner

German royalty used these dogs to hunt bears in the past, and they can still do so today.

21. West Siberian Laika

The West Siberian Laika is excellent at detecting the presence of a bear and can warn its owners with a unique bark.

FAQ’s

How do coonhounds assist in hunting bears?

Coonhounds assist in hunting bears by using their speed and scenting ability to chase a bear and force it up a tree. This action, known as “treeing,” effectively traps the bear, allowing the hunter to approach the quarry safely without a direct confrontation on the ground.

What is the role of a German Shorthaired Pointer in a bear hunt?

A German Shorthaired Pointer’s primary role in a bear hunt is to track and indicate the bear’s location. This breed uses its strong sense of smell to follow a scent trail and then “points” to show the hunter where the quarry is, rather than directly engaging the animal.

Can an American Pit Bull Terrier be used for bear hunting?

Yes, an American Pit Bull Terrier can be used for bear hunting due to its impressive fighting capabilities and tenacity. With specialized training, this breed has the strength and determination to engage and attack animals larger than itself, including bears, under the direction of an experienced hunter.

Are scent hounds like Bloodhounds used to attack bears?

No, scent hounds like the Bloodhound are not typically used to attack bears directly during a hunt. Their value comes from their exceptional scent-tracking capabilities, which help hunters pinpoint a bear’s exact location over long distances, making them an essential part of the tracking team.

Why is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog considered a good bear hunting breed?

The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is considered a good bear hunting breed because of its fearless and loyal nature. These large dogs are often released ahead of the hunter to track and corner the bear. Their size and courage allow them to hold the animal at bay, creating a safer situation.

Can a Dogo Argentino be trained to hunt bears?

Yes, the Dogo Argentino is a suitable breed to train for bear hunting. Originally developed for hunting large game like wild boar and pumas, its strength, agility, and powerful build make it highly capable of confronting and subduing large, dangerous animals like bears with proper, expert training.

What makes the Alaskan Malamute suitable for hunting polar bears?

The Alaskan Malamute is occasionally used for hunting polar bears due to its immense strength, endurance, and resilience in arctic conditions. This powerful sled dog has the size and fortitude required to track and confront such a formidable animal in its native harsh environment, working alongside human hunters.