In short The breeds with the strongest hunting instinct are tough, keen and focused on quarry. They are the hunter’s working helpers and partners for very active people.
How we rated
The higher the “Hunting instinct” score, the higher the position. We factored in prey drive and working qualities.
1
German Jagdterrier
Energy 5.0
Training 4.0
5.0
2
Jack Russell Terrier
Energy 5.0
Training 4.0
5.0
3
Patterdale Terrier
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
5.0
4
Russo-European Laika
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
5.0
5
West Siberian Laika
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
5.0
6
East Siberian Laika
Energy 5.0
Training 3.0
5.0
7
Bluetick Coonhound
Energy 4.5
Training 3.0
5.0
8
Mudhol Hound (Caravan Hound)
Energy 4.5
Training 3.0
5.0
9
Podenco Canario
Energy 4.5
Training 3.0
5.0
10
Rampur Greyhound
Energy 4.5
Training 3.0
5.0
11
New Guinea Singing Dog
Energy 4.5
Training 2.0
5.0
12
American Staghound
Energy 4.0
Training 3.0
5.0
13
Beagle
Energy 4.0
Training 2.5
5.0
14
English Greyhound
Energy 3.5
Training 3.0
5.0
15
Dachshund
Energy 3.5
Training 2.5
5.0
16
American English Coonhound
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
4.5
17
Plott Hound
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
4.5
18
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
4.5
19
English Foxhound
Energy 5.0
Training 3.0
4.5
20
Canadian Eskimo Dog (Kimmiq)
Energy 5.0
Training 2.5
4.5
German Jagdterrier
Energy 5.0
Training 4.0
5.0
2
Jack Russell Terrier
Energy 5.0
Training 4.0
5.0
3
Patterdale Terrier
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
5.0
4
Russo-European Laika
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
5.0
5
West Siberian Laika
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
5.0
6
East Siberian Laika
Energy 5.0
Training 3.0
5.0
7
Bluetick Coonhound
Energy 4.5
Training 3.0
5.0
8
Mudhol Hound (Caravan Hound)
Energy 4.5
Training 3.0
5.0
9
Podenco Canario
Energy 4.5
Training 3.0
5.0
10
Rampur Greyhound
Energy 4.5
Training 3.0
5.0
11
New Guinea Singing Dog
Energy 4.5
Training 2.0
5.0
12
American Staghound
Energy 4.0
Training 3.0
5.0
13
Beagle
Energy 4.0
Training 2.5
5.0
14
English Greyhound
Energy 3.5
Training 3.0
5.0
15
Dachshund
Energy 3.5
Training 2.5
5.0
16
American English Coonhound
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
4.5
17
Plott Hound
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
4.5
18
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Energy 5.0
Training 3.5
4.5
19
English Foxhound
Energy 5.0
Training 3.0
4.5
20
Canadian Eskimo Dog (Kimmiq)
Energy 5.0
Training 2.5
4.5
How the ranking is built
order: Prey drive → Energy → Training → breed · list composition as on the site, order by this rule
FAQ
Which breeds are the best hunters?
Pointing breeds (GSP, Pointer, setters), sighthounds, scenthounds and spaniels — depending on the type of hunting.
Is a hunting breed suitable for the city?
Only with a great deal of exercise and activity — without an outlet, the hunting instinct turns destructive.
Do hunting breeds get on with cats?
Often difficult — a strong chase instinct; early shared socialization is needed.