The History of Hunting Dogs
We have been hunting side by side with our favorite furry companions for what some say is 20,000 years. Over the eras, the bond between a hunter and their hunting dog has become one of the closets, most disciplined, and important human-to-animal relationships to ever exist. As the first ever animals domesticated, even earlier than any livestock like cattle or sheep, these long-standing traditions of collaboration have only grown over time.
While it is difficult to track the exact development of human and dog relationships due to the lack of records from early humans, it is said that wolves, coyotes, and jackals stayed near human camps during the hunter-gathered age with well-behaved canines receiving food scraps and warmth. What we can track is cave paintings, which have shown hunting and guard dogs for at least 12,000 years.
As centuries passed, dog breeding developed, and pups of different purposes started to emerge. In spirit, any dog could be a hunting dog, but these types were bred for the specific purpose of hunting:
- Hounds – Coonhounds, dachshund & whippets
- Terriers – Airedales, fox terrier & Jack Russel terrier
- Gun Dogs – Retrievers, setters & spaniels
It’s hard to imagine a world without our trusted terriers, hilarious hounds, and oh-so-reliable retrievers. So, give your favorite furry companion, whether they’re a mighty hunting beast or an adorable couch pup, a pat on the head and a “Good doggy” from us here at United Country.
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunting_dog
