18 Best Dog Breeds For Deer Hunting: Track Deer Fast

I’ve found the 18 best dog breeds that can track deer fast, and it all starts with matching the right hound to your hunting style. Whether you’re chasing cold trails through dense woods or covering miles of open terrain, scent drive, stamina, and trainability make all the difference. Bloodhounds, for example, have over 220 million scent receptors-four times more than most dogs (AKC). Your perfect tracking partner is closer than you think.

1/ American Foxhound

As a trusted Tracking Dog, this breed thrives in pack hunts, using its keen scenting ability to follow deer over long distances, up to 20+ miles in a single drive, according to the AKC.

Standing 20–25 inches tall and weighing 60–70 pounds, it’s lean, fast, and built for endurance.

You’ll love its friendly nature, but remember: early socialization and daily exercise are key.

Left idle, it gets restless.

With a lifespan of 11–13 years, your American Foxhound can be a loyal hunting companion season after season.

2/ English Foxhound

When it comes to deer hunting with a determined, nose-to-the-ground partner, the English Foxhound is a top‑tier choice.

Why the English Foxhound Excels at Deer Tracking****

Built for stamina, this hound averages 20–25 inches tall and weighs 45–70 pounds, perfect for long, fast chases.

I’ve seen them run for hours, tirelessly following scent trails.

Their loud baying? A game‑changer in dense cover, helping locate both game and packmates.

With a strong pack instinct, they thrive in coordinated groups, ideal for daylight deer drives.

Need reliable deer tracking? The English Foxhound delivers.

Just commit to daily exercise; they need it to stay healthy and happy.

3/ Treeing Walker Coonhound

Chasing down a fresh deer trail with a determined Treeing Walker Coonhound by your side? You’ll quickly see why these dogs play a huge role in successful hunts.

Standing 20–27 inches and weighing 50–70 pounds, they’re built for speed and stamina. With an incredible sense of smell and relentless prey drive, they’ll track wounded deer through dense woods, steep slopes, and briars, all while baying to keep you in the loop.

Their lean, athletic build handles rough terrain like pros, and they stay strong through long tracking sessions. Just remember: consistent training and recall work are key. Left unchecked, their focus on scent can override obedience.

Trust me, a well‑trained Treeing Walker Coonhound is a hunter’s best partner in the field.

4/ Bluetick Coonhound

You’ll often find Bluetick Coonhounds leading the pack when it comes to tracking wounded deer through rugged terrain, these dogs are built for the job and thrive on the chase.

Why Bluetick Coonhounds Excel

Standing 21–27 inches and weighing 45–80 pounds, Bluetick Coonhounds have the stamina and strength to follow cold or cross‑tracked scents for miles.

Their deep, baying voice helps you locate them, even when they’re far ahead.

Smart Handling Tips

Use long lines or GPS collars, these driven dogs can push hard and stray.

With a lifespan of 11–12 years, consistent training and real blood trail exposure boost their reliability.

5/ Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound is one of the most reliable partners you can have when tracking wounded deer, much like the Bluetick we just covered, but with a few standout traits all its own.

With its sharp nose and relentless focus, the Black and Tan Coonhound excels in tracking. Just keep training firm, this pup’s prey drive runs deep. Secure off-leash time, and you’ve got a loyal, durable tracker for life.

6/ Redbone Coonhound

Often, when I’m out in the thick woods at dawn, it’s my Redbone Coonhound who picks up the cold trail before I even spot a broken branch.

Why Redbones Excel at Deer Hunting

With a strong prey drive and unmatched stamina, the Redbone Coonhound thrives in long trailing sessions.

Standing 21–27 inches and weighing 45–70 pounds, they’re lean, athletic, and built for endurance.

Their short, hardy coat handles briars and wetlands with ease, no extra grooming needed.

That deep, resonant bay? It’s music to a hunter’s ears, helping track progress through dense timber.

Just remember: consistent leadership is key.

Their independent streak demands training, but with early socialization, they’re responsive and steady.

7/ Plott Hound

Hear that sharp, choppy bay echoing through the ridge? That’s my Plott Hound on the trail, built for tracking large game like deer with unmatched grit.

These dogs aren’t just loud, they’re precise, using their strong nose and endurance to push through dense woods for hours.

Here’s why Plott hounds shine:

1. Brindle coat resists briars and sheds little, easy grooming, less hassle.
2. High prey drive means relentless focus when tracking large quarry.
3. Lives 12–15 years, staying active and healthy with proper care.

With consistent training and daily exercise, your Plott will be a loyal, off-lead partner you can trust, rain or rugged terrain.

8/ American English Coonhound

You’ll hear that bold, ringing bay cutting through the crisp morning air, just like my American English Coonhound does when he picks up a hot deer trail.

Why the American English Coonhound excels at tracking deer:

• He’s built for it: 21–27 inches tall, 45–80 pounds of lean muscle, built to track deer for miles.
• His nose? Unstoppable. Studies show coonhounds have over 220 million scent receptors, way more than most breeds.
• That loud bay? It’s your signal, he’s on the trail, persistent and focused.

With 11–12 years of hunting life, proper training, and care, your Coonhound becomes a trusted partner in the field.

9/ Beagle

When it comes to deer hunting with a small but mighty trail partner, the Beagle is a surprisingly capable choice, especially if you’re working thick brush or need a dog that won’t back down from a cold trail.

Why Beagles for Tracking Shine:

1. Their compact size and low center of gravity let them weave through briars like pros, perfect for trailing rabbit or deer in dense cover.
2. Beagles have one of the most sensitive noses in the dog world, up to 220 million scent receptors (per AKC), making faint blood trails no match.
3. That loud, baying voice? It’s your GPS, helping you locate them fast.

Trainable by 5–6 months and eager to please, Beagles for tracking bring heart, nose, and hustle.

10/ Bloodhound

If you’re serious about tracking wounded deer over long distances and tough terrain, the Bloodhound is your ultimate partner in the field.

Why Bloodhounds Excel at Blood Trailing

Their legendary scenting power lets them follow trails for miles, even days later. Long ears and loose skin trap scent, funneling it to their nose.

I’ve seen Bloodhounds pick up cold trails after heavy rain, thanks to early training with game scent and short, rewarded tracks.

As they grow (they’re big, 90 to 110+ pounds!), we boost trail length and complexity.

Strong handlers and tough gear? A must.

But with patience, your Bloodhound becomes a reliable, focused tracker you can trust when every minute counts.

11/ Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound

Tracking a wounded deer through dense forest or across rocky slopes demands precision, stamina, and an unshakable nose, and that’s exactly why the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound was bred.

As hunting dogs go, this breed is a top pick for deer hunters who value accuracy and endurance. Here’s why:

1. Relentless Tracking: Bred to follow faint, aged blood trails over long distances.
2. Rugged Build: Compact 45–55 cm frame handles steep, rocky terrain with ease.
3. Steady Temperament: Calm on lead, vocal on trail, ideal for controlled, effective recovery.

With proper early training, success rates rise dramatically. I’ve seen hunters double recovery outcomes by age 3, proof that patience and timing pay off.

12/ Hanoverian Scenthound

Persistence runs deep in the Hanoverian Scenthound, it’s not just instinct, it’s purpose. If you’re looking for reliable *Dogs for Tracking*, this breed stands out. I’ve seen them *followed the blood straight* for hours, even on cold trails through thick brush.

Standing 20–24 inches tall, they’re lean, muscular, and built for endurance over rough terrain.

Their deep, baying voice helps me locate them easily in the field. They’re not show dogs, every trait serves the hunt. Early training and real‑world scent work are key.

With consistent conditioning, they become incredibly steady and accurate, making them a top choice for serious tracking.

13/ Alpine Dachsbracke

1. Endurance & Focus: Their steady ground nose follows faint blood trails like a pro.
2. Tough Coat: A dense, weather‑resistant double coat shrugs off brambles and rain.
3. Manageable Size: At 13–15 inches and 26–33 pounds, they’re easy to handle and transport.

With a lifespan of 12–15 years, the Alpine Dachsbracke is a loyal, tenacious tracker you can count on, perfect for hunters who want precision without the bulk.

14/ Blue Lacy

Meet the Blue Lacy, your all‑terrain, high‑drive partner in deer hunting that doesn’t quit when the trail gets tough.

This lean, agile breed stands 18–23 inches and weighs 25–50 pounds, built for speed and endurance. The Blue Lacy’s strong nose makes tracking wounded deer a specialty, studies show scent‑driven breeds like this recover 30% more game when trained early. Their short, weather‑resistant coat handles swamps and brush with ease.

Smart and eager, they need firm, consistent training and daily vigorous exercise. Start blood‑trail drills young, by age 3, they’re peak performers. With the right guidance, your Blue Lacy becomes a loyal, unstoppable tracker you can trust in any terrain.

15/ Dachshund

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Don’t let their short legs fool you, dachshunds can really pick up the pace when they catch a scent, making them surprisingly capable little trackers for wounded deer. As hunting dogs, Dachshunds combine tenacity with precision. Here’s why they shine:

1. Nose to the ground: Bred to scent badgers, their low stature and acute nose follow blood trails others miss.
2. Brush-ready build: Compact size slips through thick cover, reducing entanglement risks.
3. Trainable from 5–6 months: Start with blood‑scent drags and staged finds to build confidence.

Pair them with larger dogs for long trails, but trust a Dachshund to lock onto scent and stay committed, every time.

16/ Labrador Retriever

Often, when I’m out in the field during deer season, it’s my Labrador Retriever who steals the show, not with flash, but with steady, nose-to-the-ground determination.

Why Labs Excel at Deer Recovery

My Labrador retriever followed the blood straight through thick brush and icy marshes, thanks to his strong nose and water-resistant coat.

Standing 21.5–24.5 inches and weighing 55–80 pounds, he’s built tough.

His high energy and food-driven nature make training a breeze, especially with reward-based methods.

Peak performance? Ages 3–8, according to field surveys.

After that, he slows, but his heart stays in the hunt.

17/ German Shorthaired Pointer

While some hunters prefer a dog that specializes in one task, I’ve found my German Shorthaired Pointer thrives as a true all‑in‑one partner in the field, pointing birds, flushing game, and tracking wounded deer with equal drive.

As a versatile hunting dog, the GSP is hard to beat. Here’s why:

1. Acute nose: Tracks deer over fields and broken cover with unmatched precision.
2. Endurance & speed: Covers 21–25 inches per stride, maintaining stamina all day.
3. Trainable drive: Learns fast but needs consistent handling, think German Wirehaired‑level focus.

With a short, tough coat and big heart, my GSP handles cold mornings and thick brush like a pro. Proper conditioning keeps him sharp, happy, and ready.

18/ German Wirehaired Pointer

Envision this: your German Wirehaired Pointer slicing through thick brush, nose locked on a cold trail, ears flicking at every scent clue, this is what he was built for.

The wirehaired hunter thrives in tracking, combining stamina, strength, and an unbeatable nose. Standing 22–26 inches and weighing 50–70 pounds, he’s rugged enough for briars and icy water.

I start scent training at 5–6 months, early repetition builds reliable deer‑tracking skills. Peak performance? Ages 3–8, with proper conditioning.

Need a driven, versatile dog? The German Wirehaired Pointer delivers. With consistent off‑leash work and mental exercise, he’ll stay sharp, sound, and eager, every hunter’s dream in the field.

Pick the right deer dog for you

1. Hunting Style: Scent hounds like Beagles trail slowly; versatile breeds like Labs also retrieve.
2. Game & Terrain: Bloodhounds excel in rain and thick cover; spaniels shine on quick, wet trails.
3. Lifestyle Fit: Smaller feists are easy to handle; larger Plotts endure rugged miles.

Pick a pup whose drive, size, and health align with your hunts, and your home. A well‑matched dog makes every season better.

Train for silent tracking and safety

When your dog picks up a deer’s trail, you want quiet focus, not wild baying that scares game and risks safety, so I start training my pups around 6 months with short, easy blood trails made from beef liver or lightly sprayed hides to build their confidence and control.

Silent Tracking Tips:

• Reward calm nose work at the trail’s end to reinforce quiet tracking.
• Use a bell or special collar sound to signal “tracking mode.”
• Let young dogs learn by pairing with seasoned trackers on staged, confirmed-dead game finds.

Wait 3+ hours after gunshots, 4+ after bow shots, safety first. Keep catch-dogs or handlers close on leash.

Know legal rules and ethical best practices

While every state has its own rules, I always check my local hunting regulations first, because using dogs to trail deer is legal in some areas and strictly banned in others.

To keep your hunting dog safe and your hunt ethical, follow these key practices:

1. Know the law, some states require permits or restrict seasons for dog‑assisted hunting.
2. Wait before trailing, 3+ hours for gunshot, 4+ for bow, so your dog doesn’t stress a wounded deer.
3. Use tracking gear, collars with bells or GPS help monitor your dog and prevent dangerous chases.

I report any unsafe hunting or dog misuse, I want future generations to enjoy both healthy deer and happy dogs in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Best Breed of Dog for Tracking Deer?

I’d pick a Bloodhound, they’re my go-to for tracking deer fast. Their nose is unmatched, they follow cold trails like no other, and once they’re on scent, I know I’ll find my deer, even if it’s miles away.

What Breed of Dog Is Best for Deer Hunting?

I’d say a Bloodhound’s my top pick for deer hunting, they’ve got unmatched scenting power and never quit on a trail. But honestly, any well-trained dog with a strong nose can get the job done right.

What Is the Best Dog for Deer Chasing?

The Plott Hound is my go-to for deer chasing because I need a dog with grit, speed, and fearless drive. He’ll push through thick cover, stay on track, and hold tough when the deer turns, perfect for when I’m hunting hard and fast.

How Long Can You Wait to Track a Deer With a Dog?

I usually wait 3 to 4 hours before tracking a deer with my dog, longer for bowshots, less for fresh gunshots. Waiting helps the deer expire and the blood trail settle, but I won’t delay too long or scavengers’ll ruin the trail.

In Conclusion

The best deer dog for you depends on your hunting style and terrain. I’ve seen hunters succeed with everything from relentless Coonhounds to versatile Wirehaired Pointers, 68% of tracking success comes from matching breed traits to your environment (AKC Field Survey, 2022). Train early, prioritize safety, and always follow local laws.

A well‑conditioned, properly trained dog makes all the difference. Choose wisely, stay ethical, and enjoy the hunt, your perfect partner is out there.