Pig hunting dogs
While purebred gundogs are popular, many keen pig hunters will use cross breeds, as they can exhibit the most desirable traits from a variety of breeds. Popular breed groups include:
- Terriers
- Hounds
- Pointers
- Kelpies
- Collies
- Heelers
- Bull Arabs.
There are three specific tasks that dogs may use to successfully capture wild pigs.
1. Finding: Finding dogs must have the ability to find a pig by scent. Some dogs can find pig scent from the back of a vehicle, while other dogs will search the bush until the scent is caught.
Depending on the terrain and its accessibility, hunters may prefer short-range finders that will only track fresh scent or long range finders that will track cold scent for many kilometres.
2. Bailing: These dogs are generally a smart-working breed with high stamina and great athletic ability to manoeuvre through the scrub and withstand hot environments. Bailing dogs are used to chase, stop and bail a pig until the hunter or other dogs arrive.
3. Holding: Holding dogs will chase, stop and hold a pig until the hunter arrives to dispatch it quickly and ethically. These dogs must have great strength and resilience and wide, strong jaws to be able to maintain a reliable grip.
It is important that a holding dog only applies enough force to prevent the pig from escaping and must not kill or injure the pig. An experienced holder may decide to bail the pig if it cannot be handled alone or if the hunter takes too long to arrive.
