Best dog breeds for upland hunting
Posted 10/19/2025
There are several dog breeds that excel in upland hunting, and the best breed for you depends on your specific preferences and hunting style. Whether you’re flushing bobwhite quail in the piney woods of the Southeast, chasing sharp-tailed grouse across the grasslands of the Northern Great Plains, stalking ring-necked pheasants in the grain fields of the Midwest, pursuing chukar in the rocky terrain out West, or hunting ruffed grouse and woodcock in the dense young forests of the Great Lakes region, each breed is tailored to a different type of hunt. Finding the right one for your hunting situation can be key to success in the field.
Some breeds are purpose-bred to fulfill specific tasks in the field. Pointers point at game, Springers spring game from cover, and Retrievers find and recover downed birds. While these breeds are purpose-bred for a certain role, other versatile breeds—like the German Shorthaired Pointer—are bred to perform all these tasks. This isn’t to say that pointers, retrievers, and flushers can’t perform other jobs in the field, because they certainly can, but they may require additional training to develop traits beyond their natural abilities. Because some breeds excel at certain tasks, there may be instances where you’ll want to run two different breeds together, allowing them to complement each other’s strengths.
I’ve used English Pointers in the past that would point, flush, and retrieve their own game, but many pointer owners prefer their dogs to be steady to wing and shot—meaning they want the dog to remain on point until the bird is flushed and shot. In those instances, handlers will often send in a flushing breed, like the English Cocker Spaniel, to drive birds from cover.
Here are ten of the most popular dog breeds on Gundog Central, known for their upland hunting abilities. This list is in no particular order:
1. English Setter: The English Setter is a graceful, stylish bird dog known for its elegant movement and exceptional nose. Bred for endurance and precision on upland game, it hunts with a smooth, sweeping gait and a natural, steady point. Gentle-natured and intelligent, the English Setter is both a refined field companion and a devoted family dog. Shop English Setters
2. English Pointer: The English Pointer is a graceful, athletic bird dog known for its exceptional scenting ability and stylish point in the field. Bred for endurance and precision, this hunting companion covers ground effortlessly—head high and tail straight—locking on game birds with intensity and elegance. Calm and loyal off the field, the Pointer’s drive, intelligence, and natural instinct make it a favorite among upland hunters. Shop English Pointers
3. German Shorthaired Pointer: The German Shorthaired Pointer is a versatile, high-energy hunting dog prized for its intelligence, endurance, and natural instinct in the field. Equally skilled at pointing, retrieving, and tracking, the GSP thrives on both upland game and waterfowl. Elegant, athletic, and eager to please, it’s a driven worker in the field and a loyal, affectionate companion at home. Shop German Shorthaired Pointers
4. Brittany Spaniel: The Brittany is a lively, quick-moving upland bird dog prized for its keen nose, boundless energy, and natural pointing ability. Agile and biddable, it hunts close with enthusiasm and covers ground efficiently in pursuit of game birds. Affectionate and intelligent, the Brittany is as devoted at home as it is driven in the field. Shop Brittany Spaniels
5. English Springer Spaniel: The Springer Spaniel is a skilled upland hunting dog known for its ability to flush and retrieve game birds. It has a strong nose, excellent endurance, and a willingness to work closely with its handler. Shop English Springer Spaniels
6. Labrador Retriever: While Labradors are often associated with waterfowl hunting, they can also be outstanding upland dogs. Their intelligence, versatility, and strong retrieving instincts make them effective on upland game birds as well. Shop Labrador Retrievers
7. Hungarian Vizsla: The Vizsla is a Hungarian breed recognized for its exceptional scenting ability, speed, and endurance. A versatile hunting dog, it excels in upland bird hunting, combining style, athleticism, and a strong desire to please its handler. Shop Hungarian Vizslaa
8. English Cocker Spaniel: The English Cocker Spaniel is a compact, energetic flushing dog prized for its cheerful spirit and tireless drive in the field. Known for working close to the gun, it uses its keen nose and lively tail to locate and flush game with enthusiasm. Intelligent, biddable, and affectionate, the English Cocker transitions easily from rugged hunting companion to loyal family dog. Shop English Cocker Spaniels
9. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a versatile, rugged hunting dog celebrated for its exceptional nose, close-working style, and all-terrain adaptability. Its wiry coat offers protection in rough cover and water alike, making it an ideal companion for both upland and waterfowl hunters. Intelligent, loyal, and eager to please, the Griffon is as reliable in the field as it is affectionate at home. Shop Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
10. Deutsch Drahthaar: The Deutsch Drahthaar is a powerful, all-purpose hunting dog bred for performance, endurance, and intelligence. With its dense, wiry coat and keen tracking ability, the Drahthaar excels on upland birds, waterfowl, and blood tracking alike. Steady, versatile, and loyal, it’s a disciplined hunting partner in the field and a devoted companion at home. Shop Deutsch Drahtharrs
Remember, each breed has unique characteristics and strengths, and individual dogs within a breed can vary in temperament and hunting ability. It’s important to choose a breed that aligns with your hunting preferences, lifestyle, and training commitment. With proper training, socialization, and consistent practice, any of these dogs can become a capable and dependable partner in the uplands.
Some breeds are purpose-bred to fulfill specific tasks in the field. Pointers point at game, Springers spring game from cover, and Retrievers find and recover downed birds. While these breeds are purpose-bred for a certain role, other versatile breeds—like the German Shorthaired Pointer—are bred to perform all these tasks. This isn’t to say that pointers, retrievers, and flushers can’t perform other jobs in the field, because they certainly can, but they may require additional training to develop traits beyond their natural abilities. Because some breeds excel at certain tasks, there may be instances where you’ll want to run two different breeds together, allowing them to complement each other’s strengths.
I’ve used English Pointers in the past that would point, flush, and retrieve their own game, but many pointer owners prefer their dogs to be steady to wing and shot—meaning they want the dog to remain on point until the bird is flushed and shot. In those instances, handlers will often send in a flushing breed, like the English Cocker Spaniel, to drive birds from cover.
Here are ten of the most popular dog breeds on Gundog Central, known for their upland hunting abilities. This list is in no particular order:
1. English Setter: The English Setter is a graceful, stylish bird dog known for its elegant movement and exceptional nose. Bred for endurance and precision on upland game, it hunts with a smooth, sweeping gait and a natural, steady point. Gentle-natured and intelligent, the English Setter is both a refined field companion and a devoted family dog. Shop English Setters
2. English Pointer: The English Pointer is a graceful, athletic bird dog known for its exceptional scenting ability and stylish point in the field. Bred for endurance and precision, this hunting companion covers ground effortlessly—head high and tail straight—locking on game birds with intensity and elegance. Calm and loyal off the field, the Pointer’s drive, intelligence, and natural instinct make it a favorite among upland hunters. Shop English Pointers
3. German Shorthaired Pointer: The German Shorthaired Pointer is a versatile, high-energy hunting dog prized for its intelligence, endurance, and natural instinct in the field. Equally skilled at pointing, retrieving, and tracking, the GSP thrives on both upland game and waterfowl. Elegant, athletic, and eager to please, it’s a driven worker in the field and a loyal, affectionate companion at home. Shop German Shorthaired Pointers
4. Brittany Spaniel: The Brittany is a lively, quick-moving upland bird dog prized for its keen nose, boundless energy, and natural pointing ability. Agile and biddable, it hunts close with enthusiasm and covers ground efficiently in pursuit of game birds. Affectionate and intelligent, the Brittany is as devoted at home as it is driven in the field. Shop Brittany Spaniels
5. English Springer Spaniel: The Springer Spaniel is a skilled upland hunting dog known for its ability to flush and retrieve game birds. It has a strong nose, excellent endurance, and a willingness to work closely with its handler. Shop English Springer Spaniels
6. Labrador Retriever: While Labradors are often associated with waterfowl hunting, they can also be outstanding upland dogs. Their intelligence, versatility, and strong retrieving instincts make them effective on upland game birds as well. Shop Labrador Retrievers
7. Hungarian Vizsla: The Vizsla is a Hungarian breed recognized for its exceptional scenting ability, speed, and endurance. A versatile hunting dog, it excels in upland bird hunting, combining style, athleticism, and a strong desire to please its handler. Shop Hungarian Vizslaa
8. English Cocker Spaniel: The English Cocker Spaniel is a compact, energetic flushing dog prized for its cheerful spirit and tireless drive in the field. Known for working close to the gun, it uses its keen nose and lively tail to locate and flush game with enthusiasm. Intelligent, biddable, and affectionate, the English Cocker transitions easily from rugged hunting companion to loyal family dog. Shop English Cocker Spaniels
9. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a versatile, rugged hunting dog celebrated for its exceptional nose, close-working style, and all-terrain adaptability. Its wiry coat offers protection in rough cover and water alike, making it an ideal companion for both upland and waterfowl hunters. Intelligent, loyal, and eager to please, the Griffon is as reliable in the field as it is affectionate at home. Shop Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
10. Deutsch Drahthaar: The Deutsch Drahthaar is a powerful, all-purpose hunting dog bred for performance, endurance, and intelligence. With its dense, wiry coat and keen tracking ability, the Drahthaar excels on upland birds, waterfowl, and blood tracking alike. Steady, versatile, and loyal, it’s a disciplined hunting partner in the field and a devoted companion at home. Shop Deutsch Drahtharrs
Remember, each breed has unique characteristics and strengths, and individual dogs within a breed can vary in temperament and hunting ability. It’s important to choose a breed that aligns with your hunting preferences, lifestyle, and training commitment. With proper training, socialization, and consistent practice, any of these dogs can become a capable and dependable partner in the uplands.
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