Best Catch Dogs for Hog Hunting: A Guide to Choosing the Right Breed

Choosing the right breed of dog for hog hunting can be overwhelming, but it's essential to pick a dog that's up for the task.

Some breeds, like the Plott Hound, have been bred specifically for hunting hogs and have a strong prey drive.

Their keen sense of smell and agility make them well-suited for tracking and catching hogs.

The American Pitbull Terrier is another breed that can be effective in hog hunting, thanks to its strength and tenacity.

With proper training and socialization, these dogs can be valuable assets on a hunting trip.

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If you're looking for a reliable catch dog for hog hunting, you'll want to consider breeds that are specifically bred for this task. The Dogo Argentino is a prime example, with its powerful build and potent bite making it a top choice for catching hogs.

Dogo Argentinos are known for their friendly and alert temperament, but they do have a strong prey-drive that can make them aggressive towards smaller pets unless raised together. They weigh between 88-100 pounds and stand 24-26 inches tall.

American Bulldogs are another great option, with their great sense of smell and protective nature making them a dependable catch dog. They're also known for their obedience and long history of hunting wild hogs.

Blue Lacy Dogs are a popular choice for hog hunting due to their superior agility, speed, and stamina. However, their relatively hot nose can make it difficult to track older trails. They're best used as tracking dogs rather than catch dogs.

Here are some key characteristics of top catch dog breeds for hog hunting:

Redbone Coonhounds are a popular choice for hog hunting due to their incredible tracking abilities and potent cold noses. They can sniff out a hog from a distance and track it with ease.

Their baying is a distinctive sound that lets you know when they've cornered a hog, making them a valuable asset on a hunt. You'll hear their triumphant bay when they've successfully tracked down their quarry.

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Redbone Coonhounds are amiable and eager to please, but they do require proper training to respond to commands. They can be stubborn if not trained correctly.

Here are some key facts about Redbone Coonhounds:

However, they're not suitable as house pets due to their high energy levels and strong hunting instinct.

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a breed that's perfect for hog hunting due to its exceptional endurance and perseverance. They'll tirelessly follow a hog until it's cornered, no matter how long it takes.

One notable trait of Walkers is their unique baying style when they corner prey. This can be especially helpful if you're hunting at night or if the dog gets too far.

Walkers are highly devoted to their family and kids, but they may not be as friendly towards other pets, especially smaller ones.

If you're planning to bring a Walker into your home, be aware that their droopy ears can easily develop an infection unless they're properly cleaned.

In terms of their hunting style, Walkers are tracking dogs, which means they'll follow the scent of their prey.

Here are some key characteristics of the Treeing Walker Coonhound breed:

However, it's worth noting that Walkers can become aggressive unless they're properly trained.

The Dogo Argentino is a rare breed in the US, but it's a powerhouse when it comes to hog hunting. They were originally bred in Argentina to hunt wild boar in the 1920s.

Their powerful build and potent bite make them a force to be reckoned with, capable of taking down almost any hog individually. However, it's best to pair them with a tracking dog to compensate for their relatively weak nose.

One of the benefits of using a Dogo Argentino is that they're friendly toward their owners, making them a great choice for hunters who want a loyal companion. But be warned: their strong prey drive can make them aggressive toward smaller pets unless they were raised together.

Here are some key characteristics of the Dogo Argentino breed:

In terms of hunting style, Dogo Argentinos are catch dogs, which means they'll catch a hog by the ear and hold it in place while the hunters approach. This method is so effective that you're virtually guaranteed to catch a hog when using it.

The American bulldog is a dependable and obedient breed, making them a great choice for hog hunting. They have a strong work ethic and are naturally protective of their land and master.

Their keen sense of smell allows them to track down wild hogs with ease. American bulldogs have a long history of hunting, especially when it comes to wild hogs.

If you're in the market for a boar hunting companion, you'll want a dog breed that's specifically designed for the task.

The Dogo Argentina is a rare breed in the US, but it's a favorite among hog hunters. Bred in Argentina in the 1920s for hunting wild boar, this breed is known for its steady nature and powerful bite.

Walker Hounds are also great wild boar hunting dogs, easily trained to know the scent and hunting is second nature to them. They love cuddling, too.

American bulldogs have a long history of hunting, especially when it comes to wild hogs. They have a great sense of smell and can be very protective of their land and their master(s).

Blue Lacy Dogs are among the most famous breeds in the hog hunting world, specifically bred for this task in the 1850s in Texas. They have the necessary attitude and skills written in their genes.

Lacys are well known for their superior agility, speed, and stamina, making them ideal as tracking dogs rather than catch dogs. Their intelligence makes them learn notably fast, making training them a breeze.

If you're looking for a catch dog, you'll want a breed with a strong build and a powerful bite to go toe-to-toe with angry and burly hogs. The Dogo Argentino is a top choice for this job.

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A well-trained dog is essential for hog hunting, and the right breed can make all the difference.

The Plott Hound's strong prey drive and keen sense of smell make it an ideal breed for hog hunting, allowing it to track and tree hogs with ease.

For seasoned hunters, a dog with a strong prey drive like the Plott Hound can be a game-changer.

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Training Blue Lacy Dogs requires patience and consistency. They learn fast due to their intelligence, making training a breeze compared to other hunting breeds.

Their agility, speed, and stamina make them perfect for tracking, not catching. They'll corner a hog, but may struggle with older trails due to their relatively hot nose.

To get the most out of Blue Lacy Dogs, it's essential to have catch dogs in your pack. Once they grab the hog by the neck, you can dispatch it easily with a knife.

Florida Cracker Curs are also bred for hunting and excel at tracking feral pigs. They come in different colors and are a valuable addition to any hunting pack.

Their hunting abilities are undeniable, and with proper training, they can be a loyal companion in the field.

Black Mouth Curs are one of the most versatile breeds in hog hunting, with a well-muscled build that makes them a reliable match against the strongest hogs.

They have a strong nose with which they can trail and track semi-old trails, allowing them to track and catch hogs on their own.

Black Mouth Curs are also loyal pets, but they require physical exercise to prevent aggression, and they can be used for other purposes like protection and herding.

They're fearless and trusting, but also need to be handled carefully, especially around young kids, as they like to play quite rough.

Despite their bulky appearance, they show surprising speed in the hunt, with some weighing up to 95 pounds and reaching speeds that won't allow any hog to outrun them.

It's also worth noting that they have a delayed mental maturation, with puppies reaching full size at about 1 year, but taking another year and a half for their minds to develop completely.

Training catch dogs is a crucial part of hog hunting. They should be courageous with a strong build and a powerful bite to go toe-to-toe with the angry and burly hogs.

After tracking dogs successfully spot a hog, they should chase and corner it. Their job is not just to chase, but also to bay to inform the hunters, and other dogs, about their location.

Baying is also important to intimidate the hog even more. It's a way for the dog to communicate its presence and location to the rest of the hunting party.

Once the hog is cornered, catch dogs can take over. The Dogo Argentino is a breed that's well-suited for this job due to its strong build and powerful bite.

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The Dogo Argentina is a rare breed in the US, but it's a game-changer for hog hunting. They were bred specifically for hunting wild boar in Argentina in the 1920s.

The Dogo Argentina is a "catch" dog, meaning it catches the hog by the ear and holds it in place, preventing the hog from swinging its head and using its tusks to injure hunters. This allows hunters to approach and kill the hog with ease.

Dogo Argentinas are most commonly found in Texas, and there are only a few licensed breeders in Oklahoma. If you're looking to hunt with a Dogo, you're in luck - Hog Wild has a partnership with one of these breeders to supply their hunters with these incredible dogs.

Some other breeds that are well-suited for hog hunting include the Mountain Cur, which uses its powerful nose to find the location of a hog.

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The Plott Hound excels in the Appalachian region, where its strong tracking ability and keen sense of smell prove invaluable in hunting hogs in dense forests.

In the Southeast, the Redbone Coonhound's exceptional baying ability allows it to locate hogs over long distances, making it a top choice for hunting in this region.

The Black Mouth Cur is a popular breed in the South, where its agility and endurance enable it to navigate rough terrain and chase hogs with ease.

In the Midwest, the American English Coonhound's strong prey drive and athletic ability make it well-suited for hunting hogs in this region's rolling hills and forests.

The American Foxhound is often used in the Northeast for hog hunting, where its speed and agility allow it to quickly pursue and catch hogs in dense cover.

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