Hunting dogs come in a wide variety of sizes, coat colors and hair lengths. Here you can find a list of the 30 smallest hunting dog breeds worldwide:
- #1 Westphalian Dachsbracke: 30 – 38 cm
- #2 Parson Russell Terrier: 31 – 38 cm
- #3 Fox Terrier: 33 – 38 cm
- #4 Beagle: 33 – 41 cm
- #5 German Hunting Terrier: 33 – 40 cm
- #6 Alpine Dachsbracke: 34 – 42 cm
- #7 Dachshund: 35 – 47 cm
- #8 English Cocker Spaniel: 36 – 43 cm
- #9 Tyrolean Hound: 41 – 51 cm
- #10 German Hound: 41 – 53 cm
- #11 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: 42 – 54 cm
- #12 Welsh Springer Spaniel: 43 – 48 cm
- #13 Slovensky Kopov: 43 – 51 cm
- #14 Bavarian Mountain Hound: 44 – 52 cm
- #15 Styrian Wirehaired Hound: 45 – 53 cm
- #16 German Quail Dog: 45 – 54 cm
- #17 Epagneul Breton: 46 – 52 cm
- #18 Braque du Bourbonnais: 47 – 58 cm
- #19 Hanoverian Scenthound: 48 – 55 cm
- #20 Brandlbracke: 48 – 56 cm
- #21 Small Münsterländer: 48 – 58 cm
- #22 Golden Retriever: 51 – 61 cm
- #23 Griffon d'arrêt à poil dur Korthals: 51 – 61 cm
- #24 Epagneul de Pont-Audemer: 51 – 58 cm
- #25 West Siberian Laika: 51 – 61 cm
- #26 East Siberian Laika: 51 – 66 cm
- #27 Harrier: 51 – 61 cm
- #28 Russian-European Laika: 52 – 60 cm
- #29 Braque d'Auvergne: 52 – 65 cm
- #30 Barbet: 52 – 66 cm
In the broadest sense, hunting dogs are the hunter's assistants. They are divided into retrieving dogs, searching dogs, bloodhounds, earth dogs, pointing dogs and hunting dogs. [1]
Although there are a total of 190 hunting dog breeds worldwide, only 56 of them are officially recognized by the German Hunting Dog Association (JGHV). [2]
You can find a table with all breeds and sizes at the very end of the article. To look at all breeds, I recommend this list of all hunting dog breeds.
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#1 Westphalian Dachsbracke: 30 – 38 cm
The Westphalian Dachsbracke comes from Germany, more precisely from North Rhine-Westphalia, and has a dachshund-like figure. [3]
The small hunting dogs were primarily used as sniffer dogs and are considered friendly and intelligent four-legged friends.
Even in Germany, its country of origin, this breed is very rare. Nevertheless, they are dogs suitable for beginners and require a certain amount of space.
Fun fact: These dogs are very persistent. Not when it comes to racing, but rather when it comes to playing with children.
#2 Parson Russell Terrier: 31 – 38 cm
The Parson Russell Terrier is one of the smallest hunting dog breeds and was bred and used accordingly in England. [4]
They are closely related to the Jack Russell Terrier, but are still a separate breed. They are said to have a particularly energetic but also friendly nature.
The four-legged friends are very trusting with their family, but need a lot of exercise and activity, which is why they are usually not suitable for beginners.
Fun fact: These dogs are made to be movie stars. Because they have an above-average number of different facial expressions compared to other dogs.
#3 Fox Terrier: 33 – 38 cm
The Fox Terrier also has its origins in England and was used for hunting there. Caution is advised when walking dogs due to their strong hunting instinct. [5]
However, the four-legged friends are easy to train and trusting with the family, which is why they are also suitable for beginners.
The small hunting dogs are available in two coat variants, with smooth and long shaggy hair. Hence the two names “Smooth Fox Terrier” and “Wire Fox Terrier”.
Fun fact: The hunting instinct of these dogs is so strong that they sometimes even run after leaves in the wind.
#4 Beagle: 33 – 41 cm
The Beagle comes from England and is one of the 30 smallest hunting dogs in the world. Among other things, he was bred and used as a sniffer dog. [6]
It is also one of the most popular dog breeds and is even suitable for apartment living and for dog beginners.
The dogs are considered calm and gentle. They also develop a close bond with their family.
Fun fact: The Beagle is a hunting dog through and through. He even uses his floppy ears to wave smells at himself while running.
#5 German Hunting Terrier: 33 – 40 cm
The German hunting terrier was used for hunting above and below ground. His targets were mostly badgers, foxes, wild boars and raccoons. [7]
They also make great family dogs and are considered social and trusting, which is why there is even a separate club for owners in Germany.
The small hunting dogs are also suitable for beginners. Due to their territorial behavior, they are also suitable as guard dogs.
Fun fact: While many breeds naturally struggle with being overweight, the German Jagdterrier more often suffers from being underweight.
#6 Alpine Dachsbracke: 34 – 42 cm
The Alpine Dachsbracke comes from Austria and was bred and kept as a tracking dog for hunting. [8]
The rare, small hunting dog is well suited to hunting in the mountains and can track down wild animals well with its fine nose.
The four-legged friends are also suitable as family dogs, but they do not like to be left alone. But be careful. The badger could hunt other pets.
Fun fact: These dogs' food bowls will always be empty in no time. Because they are considered to be very voracious and therefore tend to be overweight.
#7 Dachshund: 35 – 47 cm
The Dachshund is a German breed that is the twelfth most popular dog in the world. [9]
The Dachshund, as it is also called, was originally used to hunt badgers and could easily climb into their burrows due to its compact shape.
He reaches an age of up to 16 years. A distinction is also made between 9 different species, which differ in size and fur length.
Fun fact: The small hunting dogs are also called “sausage dogs” in English-speaking countries because of their body shape.
#8 English Cocker Spaniel: 36 – 43 cm
Originally bred for hunting, the English Cocker Spaniel is now kept primarily as a family dog breed. [10]
They are considered trusting and cheerful, which is why they are suitable for beginners and for living in an apartment. These dogs are less able to cope with loneliness.
In addition, these dogs have another special gift – they can actually sniff out human cancer cells with a hit rate of around 80%.
Fun fact: The small hunting dogs are particularly easy to train. They can even be trained to bring their master things from the closet.
#9 Tyrolean Hound: 41 – 51 cm
The Tyrolean Hound comes from Austria and was kept for hunting back then. Today he is primarily found as a family dog. [11]
He is considered trusting, fond of children and intelligent. Due to their territorial behavior, they are also suitable as guard dogs. They are usually too active to live in an apartment.
The small hunting dog is also suitable for seniors and beginners, as long as there is enough exercise and mental activity.
Fun fact: These dogs' sense of smell is so strong that they can smell from a distance whether a woman is on her period.
#10 German Hound: 41 – 53 cm
The German Hound is a sniffer dog used for tracking when hunting. [12]
Representatives of the small hunting dog breed are also suitable as guard and family dogs. However, they are rarely found outside of Germany.
The dogs are ideal for seniors and first-time owners. It should be noted that the animals demand a lot of attention and have a strong hunting instinct.
Fun fact: While some greyhounds sometimes sleep up to 18 hours a day, less than 9 hours is enough for these energetic dogs to spend half the day running around the garden.
#11 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: 42 – 54 cm
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever comes from Canada and is the smallest of the 6 retriever species. They are suitable for families and beginners. [13]
The small hunting dogs were originally bred to hunt ducks and other waterfowl, which is why they also make excellent swimmers.
These dogs are also suitable for living in an apartment. Only their energy needs and temperament need to be tamed.
Fun fact: These four-legged friends should be kept busy at all times, otherwise they tend to dig. Unfortunately, they are no exception to this, even in the flower bed at home.
#12 Welsh Springer Spaniel: 43 – 48 cm
The Welsh Springer Spaniel has its origins in Wales and was bred as a working and hunting dog. [14]
It is one of the 28 spaniel breeds and is considered friendly and open-minded towards people and other pets.
However, the small hunting dogs react particularly sensitively to criticism and are reluctant to be left alone for long periods of time.
Fun fact: When greeting these dogs, rubber boots are a good idea. Because they often pee on the floor out of joy.
#13 Slovensky Kopov: 43 – 51 cm
The Slovenský Kopov comes from Slovakia and was bred to hunt wild boars. They use their particularly strong sense of orientation. [15]
The four-legged friend is also considered to be particularly easy to care for and very trusting towards the family. Nevertheless, they are very rarely found internationally.
This breed is particularly suitable for beginners as well as families. However, they demand a lot of attention and need a lot of exercise.
Fun fact: This small hunting dog breed's sense of direction is so good that they are suitable even for blondes.
#14 Bavarian Mountain Hound: 44 – 52 cm
The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a small hunting dog from Bavaria and was used as a tracking dog for hunting. [16]
The lively dogs need a lot of exercise and are not suitable for city life, but also for living in an apartment.
The loving dogs are also very trusting towards the family and get along well with children. This is why dogs often suffer from separation anxiety when they are left alone.
Fun fact: This breed hardly ever barks when its owner is around. But as soon as you leave them alone, they like to bridge their loneliness by barking constantly.
#15 Styrian Rough-Haired Hound: 45 – 53 cm
The Styrian rough-haired hound comes from Austria and is kept in mountains to track wild boars. [17]
This small hunting dog is hardly suitable for life as a house dog because it is very energetic and requires a lot of exercise and space.
They are also usually too dominant for first-time owners. However, due to their independent nature, they are one of those dog breeds that can spend long periods of time alone.
Fun fact: Although this breed was developed for wild boar hunting…