13 Small Hunting Dogs Breeds for Your Next Adventure

If you're looking for a loyal companion to join you on your next hunting adventure, consider one of these 13 small hunting dog breeds.

The Plott Hound is a feisty and energetic breed that can weigh up to 45 pounds.

Their small size belies their big hunting spirit, making them a great choice for those who want a dog that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

The Plott Hound is also relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming, requiring only occasional brushing.

The French Bulldog, on the other hand, may not be the first breed that comes to mind when thinking of hunting dogs, but they have a surprising amount of energy and can be great companions for hunters.

Their short coats require minimal grooming and they are relatively small in size, weighing up to 28 pounds.

The French Bulldog's calm and gentle nature makes them a great choice for those who want a laid-back hunting buddy.

Broaden your view: Buckskin Plott Hound

The Fox Terrier is a lively and curious breed that can weigh up to 15 pounds.

Their small size and big personality make them a great choice for hunters who want a dog that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

The Fox Terrier is also relatively easy to train, making them a great choice for new hunters.

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Small hunting dog breeds are perfect for those who want a compact companion for their outdoor adventures. They're often smaller in size, but big on energy and hunting prowess.

The American water spaniel, Boykin spaniel, Cocker spaniel, English cocker spaniel, English springer spaniel, Field spaniel, Irish water spaniel, Sussex spaniel, and Welsh springer spaniel are all great examples of small hunting dog breeds. These spaniels are bred for hunting and are known for their strong noses and energetic personalities.

Beagles, on the other hand, are natural hunters of small game like rabbits, foxes, and birds. They're excellent at tracking scents and can be trained to hunt on their own or in packs. Beagles are also known for their playful and curious nature, making them a great addition to any family.

Here are some popular small hunting dog breeds:

Beagles are excellent small-game hunters, natural at tracking rabbits, foxes, and birds, and can hunt on their own or in packs.

They require lots of training, as their nose often guides them more than their owners' commands, but they're determined and tenacious with endless energy.

Jack Russell Terriers have been bred for hunting for over 200 years, originally used to flush foxes out of their underground burrows, and are both relentless and fearless.

They can be used for all sorts of small game hunting, as well as varmint control, and can be trained to retrieve waterfowl and track blood trails.

Beagles can be used effectively to locate and pursue rabbits without excessive legwork from their handlers, making them a great choice for hunters with mobility concerns.

In some states and terrain, hunters can track GPS-collared hounds from a vehicle, making hunting with beagles even more accessible.

Jack Russells can make great family pets, but their high prey drive and stubbornness can be a challenge, and they require consistent training to behave well.

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Hounds are a popular choice for small game hunting, and for good reason. They're bred to follow their noses, which makes them excellent at tracking rabbits, foxes, and other small game.

Beagles, in particular, are a favorite among hunters. They're small, energetic, and have a keen sense of smell that can track a rabbit in no time. In fact, a study found that beagles can locate a mouse in under a minute, while other breeds took over 15 minutes to find it.

Basset Hounds are also great at trailing game, thanks to their excellent noses. They're affectionate dogs, but can be stubborn at times, so they require consistent training and exercise.

If you're looking for a hound that's a bit more energetic, a Jack Russell Terrier might be the way to go. They're small, agile, and fearless, making them perfect for flushing out small game like foxes and rabbits.

Here are some key characteristics of popular hound breeds:

Remember, every dog is different, so it's essential to research and understand the needs of the breed you're interested in before making a decision. With the right training and care, a hound can be a loyal and valuable companion for any hunter.

The Norwegian Elkhound is a small hunting dog breed that thrives in cold weather, with a thick double coat and a history of hunting small game in the Arctic regions of Norway.

They have a short, compact body that allows them to move quickly and easily in snowy conditions.

Their thick coat and short body make them well-suited for hunting in cold weather, and they have a strong prey drive that makes them effective at tracking small game.

The Finnish Lapphund is another small hunting dog breed that excels in cold weather, with a thick coat and a history of herding reindeer in the Arctic regions of Finland.

Their thick coat helps to keep them warm in freezing temperatures, and their strong herding instincts make them well-suited for working with reindeer.

They are also highly intelligent and trainable, making them a popular choice for hunters and herders alike.

Intriguing read: Sheep Herding Dog Breeds

Brittanys are a great choice for hunting, with their high energy levels and strong instincts. They're often used for upland bird hunting, but can also excel in waterfowl hunting.

Brittanys are a versatile breed, with more dual championships (show and field trial) than any other sporting breed. They're a good example of a crossover sporting dog, capable of pointing and retrieving wild birds.

One Brittany I knew was trained to point and retrieve quail, and she lived to the ripe old age of 17. She was a high-energy pup, but matured into a calm house dog who loved to run marathons.

Brittanys are a compact yet athletic breed, with a unique combination of physical characteristics that make them well-suited for hunting. They're shorter than setters but longer-legged than spaniels.

Small Game Hunting Dogs are naturally talented at sniffing out their prey. Beagles are an excellent example of this, requiring lots of training to guide them with commands, but excelling at hunting rabbits, foxes, and birds.

Beagles are also known for their endless supply of energy, making them determined and tenacious hunters. They can hunt on their own or in packs, and are one of the most popular hound dog breeds.

Terriers, originating from the UK, are also great at hunting small game and birds. With their incredible strength and impressive speed, they make formidable hunting companions.

Their compact size belies their ferocious and tenacious nature, making them a force to be reckoned with in the hunting field.

These smaller dog breeds are often compact in size but can be ferocious and tenacious.

Originally bred as pest control for houses and farms, many of these breeds are great for hunting small game and birds.

Incredible strength is a characteristic shared by many of these breeds, making them well-suited for hunting.

The Terriers, for example, are known for their impressive speed and dogged determination.

Some breeds, like the pit bull terriers, are even capable of taking down boars.

Small hunting dog breeds can be a great fit for many hunters, but it's essential to choose the right one for your needs.

Beagles are an excellent choice for small-game hunting due to their natural ability to track and hunt rabbits, foxes, and birds.

Their small size and energetic nature make them well-suited for hunting in packs, but they can also hunt alone if trained properly.

Beagles are playful, curious, and determined, which can be both a blessing and a curse - they require lots of training to stay on track.

Terriers, on the other hand, are great for hunting small game and birds, and some breeds, like pit bull terriers, can even take on boars.

These compact dogs are incredibly strong, fast, and determined, making them a force to be reckoned with in the hunting field.

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Getting a puppy can be a thrilling experience, but it's essential to consider the extra work and patience required, including those middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks.

Puppies need to be trained from the beginning, allowing you to control their socialization and foundational experiences.

A started dog, on the other hand, can begin hunting immediately, which is a huge relief for many hunters.

Started dogs are often housebroken and responsive to commands, making them a great option for those who want to hit the field right away.

If you do decide to get a puppy, be prepared to fall in love with them - it's not uncommon to end up taking one home after seeing a litter!

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It's hard to make a bad choice when choosing a sporting breed. More than one breed will easily adapt to where and how you personally hunt.

Start by listing your priorities to narrow your search.