When my husband and I decided that we wanted to get a dog, we had very different ideas on what breed we should get. I wanted a small dog with a lot of hair so I could dress it up. He wanted a hunting dog to become his “hunting buddy.” In the end, we decided on a beagle. Beagles are scent hounds that are commonly used to hunt rabbits. I quickly learned that living with a hunting dog was different from other breeds. These are some of the things I’ve learned while living with my hunting dog.
Food Motivated
Dogs are usually motivated by one of two things: food or play. Beagles are scent hounds, and their advanced sense of smell can cause them to be extremely food motivated. Personally, I wasn’t prepared for a dog that was motivated by food alone. I quickly learned that if I wanted my dog to do something, I was going to have to use food to bribe her, but that only re-enforced her food motivation. I now know, I have to teach her a task using food, and then slowly wean her off the food reward. Weaning them definitely takes time and patience, but it can be done.
Increased Risk of Getting Lost
It’s a well-known fact that dogs wander off and become lost. Chances are you or someone you know has experienced it. Hunting dogs run an even higher risk of becoming lost. Their natural instinct is to track and/or chase prey, and to them, anything can become prey. With their keen sense of smell and the instinct to track, you have to keep a close eye on them whether you’re at home or in the field. Even the most highly trained hunting dog could become lost forever if its owner isn’t careful. I suggest outfitting your dog with a GPS tracking collar to keep it safe.
Pack Animals
A lot of hunting dogs are pack animals, especially beagles. If there aren’t other dogs around for them to bond with, you and your family will become their pack-mates, which could become a problem. Beagles in general can become agitated when they are away from their pack. Some become extremely vocal; they cry, bay, howl, and/or bark for hours on end. Others become destructive. If you plan to only have one hunting dog, make sure you start leaving it alone when it’s young. Getting them used to being alone may be heart wrenching, but I can assure you it only gets worse as they age.
When a family adopts a dog bred for hunting, it’s important for them to remember that even highly trained dogs still succumb to their instincts. Over time, I’ve learned to live with my hunting dog’s quirks, and with time and patience others can do the same.
Source:
Author’s personal experience