Duck Hunting Dog Breeds – Detailed Overview with Origin & Behavior

Dogs such as spaniel dog breeds are often bred to be great workers and even hunters, catching waterfowl or any other sort of birds with precision and speed. On top of that, while many dogs bred for duck hunting might have instinctual hunting senses, they still can be great family dogs and absolute protectors, especially when given training.

Spaniels in fact have been considered to be the most popular choice for hunting any sort of creature, whether a waterfowl or a land creature. Their efficiency at being able to swim while being agile makes them a lucrative choice for many, however that doesn’t mean other dog breeds can’t compete.

This article will be dealing with the top 15 duck hunting dog breeds that may also be great family dogs at the same time. It is important to note that these dogs will need mental stimulation and other sorts of activities to keep them healthy and active.

Top 15 Duck Hunting Dog Breeds

If you are looking for a trusty companion dog who may help you do tasks with their agility, then these top 15 duck hunting dog breeds should be helpful for you:

1. Boykin Spaniel

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 14-18 inches
• Weight: 25-40 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium-length double coat, color is mainly Liver
• Life Span: 10-15 years
• Origin: United States, South Carolina

Bred for hunting ducks and other sorts of wild creatures on the water in South Carolina, the Boykin Spaniel might be small but highly effective at being agile in terms of capturing prey. However, these dogs aren’t just for hunting ducks, they are also great companions when otherwise not doing any sort of hunting or a task.

Unfortunately, if you are looking for a watchdog in this dog breed, then prepare to be disappointed as Boykin Spaniel will generally remain friendly with even total strangers.

2. American Foxhound

Breed Overview:

• Group: Hound 
• Height: 21-25 inches
• Weight: 60-70 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth and short double coat. Color is either Black White & Tan or White Black & Tan
• Life Span: 13-13 years
• Origin: United States

Scent hounds by nature, the American Foxhounds are well-known for their lean frame, extreme sense of smell, and overall personality. Originally bred for hunting foxes by smelling them out, these dogs might not often be used for duck hunting, but their trait of being quick and fast on their feet along with their smelling sense makes them an ideal candidates for duck hunting.

Read more: Bully dog breeds

3. Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 21-26 inches
• Weight: 55-80 pounds
• Coat and Color: Wavy/wiry coat that is medium-sized. Colors are Sedge, Tan, Brown, etc.
• Life Span: 10-13 years
• Origin: United States, Chesapeake Bay

Born and bred to be hunting dogs, the Chesapeake Bay retriever serves to fulfill the meaning of its name, which is of being the most efficient retrieving dog. These dogs are great swimmers thanks to their slightly dense coat which helps them in retrieving ducks and other sorts of waterfowl effectively and quickly.

They, however, are slightly independent in terms of thought process and won’t be easy to train as much as other gundogs, therefore the owner should keep this in mind while getting the dog breed.

4. Deutsch Drahthaar

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 22-26 inches
• Weight: 60-70 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium-length wiry double coat that is weather and water resistant. Colors are: Black, Brown, Grey, and White
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: Germany

Often confused with a German wirehaired pointer, the Drathaar is an agile and intelligent dog. With a double coat resistant to harsh climates and is easy to maintain, this dog can be a great dog for hunting ducks as their or any other sort of creature which can including those on the land itself. Therefore, getting this dog for hunting small-time games can be a great idea.

5. English Springer Spaniel

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 19-20 inches
• Weight: 40-50 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double coat that is medium-length. Colors Include White & Black, Red & White, etc.
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: England

Another spaniel type dog breed, these dogs are perfect for duck hunting as they have been bred for hunting purposes, although they might not be used specifically for hunting ducks. However, these dogs can be used to retrieve ducks from water in an efficient manner as springers are normally great swimmers thanks to their lean frame.

6. Irish Water Spaniel

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 21-24 inches
• Weight: 45-68 pounds
• Coat and Color: Curly medium-sized coat. Color is Liver.
• Life Span: 12-13 years
• Origin: Ireland

Recognizable due to their curly and slightly dense coat along with their droopy ears, these furry buddies are great for hunting ducks and will retrieve them, no matter how deep the water is. These dogs have the perfect durability for extended periods of work and are easily trainable due to wanting to please their owners.

7. Cocker Spaniel

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 14-16 inches
• Weight: 20-30 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double coat that is long in size and silky in textures. Colors include Black, Silver, and Red, and might be a mix shade of other colors
• Life Span: 10-14 years
• Origin: England

Known for their distinctively droopy ears and small frame, these dogs are perfect for both duck hunting or any other sort of water or land-based creature. All you will need to do is to give your cocker spaniel the proper training to make them hunt small-time game.

Otherwise, these dogs are also reserved yet great for families and will certainly make a great playful companion when given enough affection. However, due to this very friendly nature, do not expect your dog to be a great guard dog as they will just about as well welcome a stranger with a pleasant demeanor.

8. Flat-Coated Retriever

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 22-25 inches
• Weight: 60-70 pounds
• Coat and Color: Smooth medium-length coat. Colors include Liver and Black
• Life Span: 8-10 years
• Origin: United Kingdom, England

Bred to be effective both on water and land, the Flat-coated retriever is one of the best retriever dogs one can hope to find. With being said to include many spaniel dog breeds and other water dogs into their genes. The flat-coated retriever with its tall yet gentle personality can be a great companion to calmly train into the arts of hunting and make them hunt down any sort of game including ducks.

Do note that these dogs can be slightly sensitive and won’t respond well to negative reinforcement, therefore it is encouraged to try and give these dogs positive reinforcement while training them.

9. German Shorthaired Pointer

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 21-25
• Weight: 45-70 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short smooth coat. Colors generally are Black Roan, Black & White, etc.
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Germany

With a coat that is appropriate to their name, the German shorthaired pointer is a dog that can act both as a pointer to track an object and point towards it or directly dive onto the hunting field to retrieve a game.

This can include hunts and other waterfowl too. However, this task may need slight training for retrieving a duck or any game as the dog may slightly falter if they have not received the needed training.

10. Golden Retriever

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 21.5-24 inches
• Weight: 55-75 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium double coat. Colors normally are Light Golden, Dark Golden, or Golden
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: United Kingdom, Scotland

Affectionate and ready to spring into action, the Golden retriever is one of the best choices for hunting any sort of animal, whether it be water, land, etc. The double coat of a golden retriever can be waterproof, something that makes them even more effective for retrieving waterfowls from water effectively.

The golden retriever is always eager to please and therefore will be easy to train in terms of socialization and any other sort of command instructions.

11. American Water Spaniel

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 15-18 inches
• Weight: 25-45 pounds
• Coat and Color: Curly double coat that is medium in size. Color is Chocolate, Liver, or Brown
• Life Span: 10-14 years
• Origin: Wisconsin, United States

Having almost gone extinct once upon a time, the American water spaniel has had their fair share of ups and downs. As of the current date, these dog breeds are more or less exotic and rare dog breeds. Besides this, American water spaniels are some of the best waterfowl hunting dogs as their small frames are strong enough to swim expertly and retrieve the pesky waterfowl hiding underwater.

12. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 17-21 inches
• Weight: 35-50 pounds
• Coat and Color: Medium-sized double coat. Colors are Red, Buff, Red Gold
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: Yarmouth County

True to its name, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a dog bred specifically for luring ducks rather than outright hunting them down. In essence, the dog normally performs a ‘dance’ to attract ducks and then gets them captured. The technique these dogs used is specifically called ‘tolling’.

Mostly, if you are the type to have a dog hunt for the waterfowl by going deep and personal, then this dog might not be the best choice as they more or less lure a duck into the hunting range of a gun.

13. Poodle (Standard Variant)

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 15 inches
• Weight: 40-70 pounds
• Coat and Color: Coat that is long and curly. Colors may include Gray & White, Blue & White, Silver, etc.
• Life Span: 10-18 years
• Origin: France, Germany

Unlike their miniature cousins, the standard poodle can be an effective duck hunter, even going so far as to be on par with a spaniel which might be surprising for many dog owners. Standard poodles with their thick and curly coat are able to swim effectively and capture a duck just at the right moment to stun an owner into silence.

These dogs can fetch any sort of prey and retrieve them in such a way that they are not injured too much unless the animals decide to scream in the jaw.

14. Labrador Retriever

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 22-25 inches
• Weight: 55-80 pounds
• Coat and Color: Short double coat. Colors include: Chocolate, Black or Yellow shades.
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Newfoundland, Canada

Bred for the purposes of hunting and even named so for such, the Labrador retriever is one of the best duck hunting dogs one may get, especially considering how common these dog breeds are and technically easy to maintain thanks to their short coat.

In fact, these dogs excel at both waterfowl hunting fields and land game hunting, which in essence means that this is a multi-tasking and hard-working dog with the heart of a warrior.

15. Spinone Italiano

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 22-27 inches
• Weight: Proportional to the height of the dog
• Coat and Color: Wiry medium coat. The colors are Brown Roan, White, White & Orange, and Orange Roan.
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Italy

Bred in Italy, the Spinone may act docile at home, but once they are out in the field, they can do their work perfectly well. While not exactly bred to be duck hunting dogs, their affinity for swimming in the water and overall ability to retrieve objects such as waterfowls make them an able choice for being a duck hunting dog.

These dogs can also smell from a far distance and are generally able to track it, something that aids them when trying to hunt for a certain animal or an object.

Conclusion

As usual, getting duck hunting dogs can be beneficial for a person who looking to hunt down ducks on a daily basis or just slightly rare ones. However, as these dogs are generally high activity breeds, they will require almost regular amounts of exercise every day and mental stimulations such as giving them toys to play with or playing with them.

On the other hand, making sure to buy the dogs from a reputable breeder can be another question, care should always be taken when trying to get a spaniel dog breed as the wrong one may just turn out to be a disaster in the long run.