Best Bear Hunting Dogs: Top Breeds for Bear Hounds

Hunting bear with hounds is one of the oldest and most demanding forms of hunting with dogs. Good bear hunting dogs need a strong nose, endless stamina, courage and the good sense to bay a bear without getting hurt. Here are the breeds bear hunters rely on and what to look for.

Top bear hound breeds

Plott Hound

Developed for big game, the Plott is known for grit and determination. Many bear hunters consider Plotts the toughest bay dogs around.

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Fast and athletic, Walkers are popular strike and running dogs. They push a bear hard and help get it treed or bayed sooner.

Bluetick Coonhound

Blueticks have a cold nose and a big voice, which makes them great for starting older tracks and keeping hunters in touch with the race.

Redbone Coonhound

Redbones are versatile, athletic hounds with good noses and plenty of heart, and they handle hot weather well.

Black and Tan Coonhound

Cold-nosed and determined, Black and Tans excel at working out old or difficult tracks.

Crosses and “catch” breeds

Many bear hunters run crosses, and some packs include gritty breeds such as Airedale crosses for bay work. Most experienced houndsmen care more about a dog’s bloodline and performance than about the breed name.

Traits of a great bear dog

• Strike dog ability: a dog that can detect a track from the truck box or while road hunting.
• Grit with good sense: willing to bay hard without diving in and getting hurt.
• Stamina and good feet: bear races can cover rough mountain country.
• Tree power: staying at the tree and barking until the hunters arrive.
• Pack sense: working well with other hounds.

Gear for bear hunters

• GPS tracking collars to follow the race and find dogs at the tree: tracking equipment
• Spare batteries and charging cables: batteries and chargers
• Sturdy dog boxes and crates for travel: crates and carriers

Know the law

Hunting bear with hounds is allowed in only some states, and seasons, permits and training rules vary widely. Always check your state wildlife agency’s current regulations before training or hunting.

Buy or sell a bear dog

Browse started hounds and finished bear dogs for sale, or place an ad to reach serious houndsmen.