The 30 Best Sniffer Dog Breeds with Pictures [2024] –

Sniffer dogs are dogs that can both detect and track smells. The most suitable breeds for this job are:

When hunting, sniffer dogs are used to track down wild animals on the one hand and to track injured animals on the other.

However, sniffer dogs are now also used to search for explosives, drugs, people, cash, corpses, data carriers, diseases and fungi. [1]

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#1 Bloodhound

Of all dog breeds, the Bloodhound is the #1 tracking dog. The reason? With 300 million olfactory receptors, this breed has a nose that is around 60 times better than humans.

But these dogs are not only record holders here. Because, among other things, they also hold the world record for the longest floppy ears in the world at just under 35 cm. [2]

This sniffer dog breed is primarily used for hunting deer and wild boar. In addition, the animals are considered trusting, friendly and stubborn. [3]

Fun fact: Bloodhounds can smell whether a woman is on her period from up to 50 meters downwind.

#2 Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound has its origins in the USA, where it was once bred primarily to hunt raccoons. [4]

This sniffer dog breed is also known for having particularly cute puppies. They are also considered very friendly, courageous and intelligent.

In addition, their noses are said to be particularly cold. They are also suitable as family dogs for active people. Because they need a lot of exercise. [5]

Fun fact: If you believe the description of these dogs on Wikipedia, then the fur is said to have a bluish sheen… But maybe the author was just color blind.

#3 Basset Hound

The Basset Hound is one of the 40 most popular dogs in the world. The reason for this is, on the one hand, his character. Because these four-legged friends are very good-natured, charming and trusting. [6]

On the other hand, this sniffer dog breed also has the second best sense of smell among all dogs, with around 220 million olfactory receptors. So around 44 times better than us humans.

Since the animals need relatively little exercise, they are also suitable for living in apartments. However, they are less easy to train. [7]

Fun fact: These dogs' floppy ears enhance their sense of smell. How? By waving air towards their noses while running.

#4 Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen

As you've probably already guessed from the name, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen has its origins in France. He is considered particularly cheerful, extroverted and friendly.

This sniffer dog breed is primarily used to track down small and large wild animals. However, the bearded dogs are relatively difficult to train. [8]

It is also recommended that these dogs are always kept on a leash outside the fenced garden. Because they instinctively want to follow literally every scent. [9]

Fun fact: Hardly any other breed has a more descriptive name. Because “Petit” means small, “Basset” means short legs, “Griffon” describes its curly coat and “Vendéen” is the place where the breed originated.

#5 Beagles

The Beagle originally comes from England and served there primarily as a hunting companion due to its excellent nose. However, they are also suitable as family dogs. [10]

In addition, the sniffer dog breed is often used at airports to detect food. Because they can recognize up to 50 different foods.

Some specimens are even trained to detect bed bugs and their eggs. Of all dogs, the animals are also among the 6 most popular breeds in the world. [11]

Fun fact: If you translate Beagle into German, the dogs would be called “offnener Mund”. The reason? These four-legged friends can make around 25 different sounds.

#6 German Shepherd

Although the German Shepherd was originally bred for use as a sheepdog, it now also serves as a family, military, rescue and police dog.

With more than 200 million olfactory receptors, this sniffer dog breed smells around 40 times better than humans. You can even follow tracks in the air. [12]

Hardly any other breed can be trained better. In addition, they are considered particularly loyal, alert and intelligent. [13]

Fun fact: Because this breed's bottom hangs particularly low, the dogs were described in a BBC documentary as «half dog, half frog.»

#7 American Foxhound

The American Foxhound was originally used to track down foxes and coyotes due to its excellent nose. [14]

However, they are also suitable as family and house dogs. In addition, they often get along well with other pets such as cats.

This sniffer dog breed is also an ideal hiking and jogging partner. They are also considered to be very good-natured, loyal and sociable. [15]

Fun fact: These dogs are made for the opera. Because their barking sounds acoustically like singing.

#8 Bavarian Mountain Hound

The Bavarian Mountain Hound has its origins in – yup, you guessed it – Bavaria. The animals are still relatively rare outside of Germany. [16]

This sniffer dog breed is primarily used as a bloodhound when hunting. Once they have picked up a scent, they can easily follow it for several hours.

In addition, they are known for their calm, calm and loyal nature. Incidentally, they shed relatively little, have a strong hunting instinct and need a lot of exercise. [17]

Fun fact: No, “sweat dogs” don’t sweat a lot, but are specialized in tracking down injured animals.

#9 Dachshund

Dachshunds come in three different sizes. Dwarf and rabbit dachshunds mostly serve as lap and family dogs. However, the largest species is also used for hunting.

There are three things that make this sniffer dog breed special: they like to dig, they bark a lot for their size and, due to their body structure, they can also hunt underground. [18]

Their uniqueness probably explains why they are currently the 12th most popular breed in the world. They are also considered lively, friendly and stubborn. [19]

Fun fact: Since the body of these dogs is unusually long, they are also internationally known as “sausage dogs”.

#10 Redbone Coonhound

The Redbone Coonhound originally comes from the USA and was bred to hunt large wild animals. It is also one of a total of 6 Coonhound species. [20]

This sniffer dog breed is said to have such a good sense of smell that they are considered “cold-nosed.” Specifically, this means: They smell so good that they can even pick up old traces.

Since they are easy to train and also have a very friendly and loving nature, these four-legged friends are also ideal for first-time owners. [21]

Fun fact: Prickly hedges, conifers, swamps,… These dogs will literally run through anything when they are in hunting mode.

#11 English Springer Spaniel

Although the English Springer Spaniel was originally bred to hunt birds, it is also suitable as a family dog. [22]

However, this sniffer dog breed has recently been used to detect bombs, drugs, counterfeit money, beehives and even human remains.

Internationally, the dogs are among the 30 most popular breeds. In his native England, the friendly four-legged friends are even in the top three. [23]

Fun fact: These dogs used to be particularly popular among artists. Because they are so obedient and patient that they can sit there for several hours without any problems.

#12 Basset Bleu de Gascogne

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne has its origins in France and was originally used as a hunting dog. He is also considered particularly trusting, lively and cheerful.

However, this sniffer dog breed almost died out in the 19th century. The reason? Hunting with dogs decreased and many people died in the war. [24]

They are therefore still considered relatively rare today. This is despite the fact that they are also suitable as a family dog ​​breed.

Fun fact: These dogs are considered particularly lazy. Often you even have to force the couch potatoes to go for a walk.

#13 Alpine Dachsbracke

The Alpine Dachsbracke is a breed specifically bred for hunting on mountains and at altitude. They also have an excellent sense of smell.

The brown sniffer dog breed has its origins in Austria. Since they usually get along well with children, they are also kept there as family dogs, among other things.

In addition, they are considered powerful, courageous and particularly loyal. Despite their dachshund-like figure, the animals are also considered to be very robust and stubborn. [25]

Fun fact: As this breed grows up with other animals, they develop the same loyalty for their play friends. Woe betide any strange animal that comes too close to them!

#14 Harriers

The Harrier has its origins in Great Britain. The animals were originally bred to help hunt rabbits and foxes as sniffer dogs. [26]

Visually, this sniffer dog breed looks like a beagle on steroids. Because they are slightly bigger, stronger and more muscular. However, their behavior is relatively similar.

The dogs are considered particularly friendly, cheerful and good-natured. However, due to their lack of popularity, they are currently one of the 10 most unpopular breeds in the world. [27]

Fun fact: Curious, curious, Harrier! These dogs can't wait to sniff around new terrain.

#15 German Hound

The German Hound is also known internationally as the “German Hound”. Just a few decades ago, “bracket” was an expression for a dog with a particularly good nose.

This sniffer dog breed was primarily used as a hunting companion for hunting small and large wild animals. If several dogs are used, then this is also referred to as a “brackade”.

In addition, the animals are considered very energetic, intelligent and obedient. They are also easy to train and shed very little. [28]

Fun fact: When these dogs pick up a scent, they howl the entire way to inform their master or hunters of their location…