How to Choose the Right Hunting Dog: 18 Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Knowing how to choose a hunting dog starts long before you look at a litter. It’s easy to fall for the cutest pup in the box, but a gun dog is a 10- to 15-year commitment, and the right choice depends on how you hunt, where you live and how much time you can give it. Work through the questions below, ideally with everyone in your household, before you buy.

What do you need the dog to do in the field?

1. What game and what job? Retrieving ducks, flushing pheasants, pointing grouse and quail, trailing rabbits, or treeing coons and bear each call for a different type of gun dog or hound.
2. How far should it range? A big-running pointer suits open prairie; a close-working spaniel or Lab suits thick cover. Range is largely bred in, so match the bloodline to your country.
3. Who will train it? If you don’t have the time to train it yourself, budget for a professional trainer, or consider buying a started dogs or finished dogs instead of a puppy.
4. What training gear will you need? Most hunters end up with a check cord, a whistle, bumpers and training dummies and a remote training collar. Plan for that cost up front.

What do you need the dog to do at home?

5. Will it live inside, outside, or both, and do you have a proper kennel or crate?
6. How much time do you have for house-breaking and daily exercise?
7. Where will the dog stay while you’re at work?
8. What role will your spouse or kids play in its life?
9. Do you have room, or access to land, where the dog can run every week?

Temperament: yours and the dog’s

10. Do you want an easy-going “off switch” dog or a high-drive competitor?
11. What kind of handler will the dog need? Some breeds are soft and need a gentle hand; others are independent and need firm, consistent training.

Care, cost and the long term

12. Which veterinarian will care for it, and can you afford routine care, vaccinations and the occasional field injury?
13. How will you transport the dog? A good travel crate is a safety item, not a luxury. See our dog crates and carriers.
14. Can you afford quality food, gear, licenses and boarding?
15. Do you plan to breed? If so, health clearances and pedigree matter even more.
16. Will your needs change in five years (new state, different game, kids, age)?
17. Do you want a puppy to raise, or a trained dog you can hunt this season?
18. Have you seen the parents work in the field, or at least talked with people who hunt over them?

Puppy, started dog or finished dog?

A puppy gives you the bond and the fun of training, but it can be two seasons before it’s truly useful. A started dog already has basic obedience and bird or game exposure; a finished dog is ready to hunt now. Read our guide on puppy vs. started dog vs. finished dog and our buyer’s checklist for choosing a hunting puppy for more detail.

Final advice

Write down your answers, then pick the breed, then the breeder, then the dog, in that order. Buy from someone who actually hunts with their dogs, ask for references and health clearances, and follow our buyer safety tips before you send any money.