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- Labrador Retriever. Intelligent and biddable. Great family dog. Good upland dog. Cons. Prone to hip dysplasia and joint problem. Popularity means there are many breeders, so you must do your research to pick a healthy hunting bloodline.
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Hardy enough to hunt big water and make many retrieves in a day. Loyal, with some guard instinct. Cons. Reputation for aggressiveness.
- Boykin Spaniel. Small to fit into small boats and small homes. Tolerates hot weather. Cons. Not bred for extreme cold. Boykin spaniels aren’t commonly seen in the field as duck hunting dogs, and the breed is a latecomer to American waterfowling, as it wasn’t developed until the early 1900s.
- Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever. Small. Hardy. Friendly. Cons. Train with a light touch. Few breeders available, not all breed hunting dogs. Unique among retrievers, tollers were used to lure ducks to shore.
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- American Cocker Spaniel
- English Cocker Spaniel
- Curly Coated Retriever
- Flat-Coated Retriever
- English Springer Spaniel
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Boykin Spaniel
- Poodle
The Labrador Retrieveris possibly the most recognizable breed on this list as this is the most popular here, as well as being the most popular breed in the entire United States. It has successfully maintained a 31-year streak, a testament to its good behavior. Labradors were developed in Canada to retrieve waterfowl. The household Labrador Retrieve...
The Golden Retrievermay not be as popular as the Lab, but it is certainly not less loved. This breed easily captures the heart of many individuals, including people who are wary of dogs. Its golden coat and homely appearance are enough to warm the heart. It was also developed for retrieval. This breed is filled with potential. Besides still having ...
The American Cocker Spaniel—simply called the Cocker Spaniel in the United States—is the smallest member of the AKC’s Sporting Group, and one of the most loved. Made popular by Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, the American Cocker Spaniel has warmed the heart of many Americans. Way before its fame, it was a hunting dog, operating on both land and water....
The English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spanielwere once considered the same breed. This changed in the 1930s when the differences between both breeds became very obvious. The English Cocker Spaniel is bigger than its American counterpart, but both have similar personalities and played the same roles. This breed shows a load of affection...
The Curly-Coated Retriever is unique because of its coat that’s full of curly hair. This accounts for its name. It was developed in the United Kingdom for hunting and is considered the first dog that was officially meant for retrieving. It retained its popularity till the Labrador came into the scene, and while it never quite regained its popularit...
The Flat-Coated Retriever looks similar to the Golden Retriever, and some people might consider the Flat-Coated Retriever to be a Golden Retriever mix. That’s not the case as the Flat-Coated Retriever is a distinct breed of its own, and its existence preceded that of the Golden Retriever. Like the Curly-Coated, this breed was popular before the Lab...
The English Springer Spaniel can be compared to both the English and American Cocker Spaniel. It is the biggest of the three and as Spaniels they all flushed prey for hunters, including ducks. The English Springer Spaniel was so named because of the way it springs at prey. This breed is highly affectionate and a lover of attention. It enjoys being ...
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Poodle (that we’ll soon look into) are both similar in looks but are different breeds by a large gap. Some people suggest the Poodle might have been an ancestor of the Irish Water Spaniel, but even at that, they are not the same. The Irish Water Spaniel is considered the biggest of all Spaniels and was developed to b...
The Boykin Spaniel is an uncommon breed, and it was developed in South Carolina to hunt turkey and waterfowl. It has the best of Spaniel qualities, with a strong work ethic, fine looks, and a good dose of friendliness. It was a favorite hunting dog, just as it soon became a companion for those who could get one. A highly trainable breed, the Boykin...
The Poodle comes in three sizes, Toy, Mini, and Standard. Of all three, the Standard Poodle was the hunting dog. The Poodle isn’t considered a true retriever or spaniel—though it looks like an Irish Water Spaniel, as we pointed out—it was used to retrieve waterfowl for hunters. The Poodle is smart and is considered one of the most intelligent dog b...
Oct 11, 2024 · Learn which breed best suits your hunting style! Discover the top 10 duck hunting dog breeds, from seasoned retrievers like Labradors and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers to versatile pointers. Find the perfect canine companion for your next waterfowl hunt, considering temperament, trainability, and cold-water tolerance.
- Tom Keer
- American Labrador Retriever. Physical height: 21-25 inches. Weight: Male 65-70 pounds. Weight: Female 55-60 pounds. Disposition: Friendly, athletic, and calm. Coloration: Black, chocolate, yellow.
- British Lab. Physical height: 22-22 1/2 inches. Weight: Male 45-50 pounds. Weight: Female 30-40 pounds. Disposition: Calm with a deep desire to please. Coloration: black, chocolate, yellow (Note: England’s The Kennel Club regards the fox red coloration as yellow and does not recognize silver).
- Golden Retriever. Physical height: 21-24 inches. Weight: Male 55-65 pounds. Weight: Female 45-55 pounds. Disposition: Intelligent, cheerful disposition, easy to train.
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Physical height: 23-26 inches. Weight: Male 65-80 pounds. Weight: Female 55-70 pounds. Disposition: Tireless, loyal and positive. Coloration: Various shades of brown, tan and deadgrass.
- Labrador Retriever. The Labrador Retriever will top the waterfowl hunting dog lists until the day the species no longer exists. Hopefully, that day will never come.
- Boykin Spaniel. This is one of the relatively newer canine additions to the waterfowl hunting crowd but make no mistake, they have the instinct for it.
- Irish Water Spaniel. What could make a better duck hunter and retriever than a dog with “water” in its name? The Irish Water Spaniel are one of the top breeds for waterfowl hunting and stands atop the other canines in the Field Dog Stud Book, which is quite the achievement for their breed.
- Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in America, and they also happen to be phenomenal partners for duck hunting. They are extremely loyal animals and possess a fearsome level of energy.
Jun 3, 2024 · Labrador Retriever. The first duck hunting dog to come to mind when compiling a list of the best duck dogs is the Labrador Retriever breed. They were originally bred to bring the prey back to their owner during waterfowl hunting sessions. In addition, they just made great family dogs because of their boundless love and affection for people.
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Oct 1, 2024 · They are highly trainable and eager to please, which makes them popular circus and performing dogs but also ideal hunting companions. They are alert, attentive, and enthusiastic, all ideal traits ...
