Little Holly shows how a journey begins
At 13 weeks, little Holly proudly retrieves a crow. The first clip shows Holly searching for the crow; the second shows her retrieving it – two early moments of learning together.
Before a first hunting dog arrives, there are decisions behind moments like these: which breed fits the work, how will the dog live with your family, and who will guide training? This article helps you prepare those decisions, with the dog’s welfare and responsible hunting at the centre.
Every dog develops at its own pace. Holly’s age is not a training target for other puppies. Keep early learning age-appropriate and seek experienced guidance.
Start with the right hunting role ↓Holly searches for the crow in the field. In this exercise, the dog independently locates placed or lost game.
At just 13 weeks old, little Holly proudly retrieves a crow.
1. What work will your dog actually do?
Before choosing a puppy, describe your real hunting routine: species, frequency and places to practise. Suitable work between hunting days matters too. Responsible hunting starts with an honest assessment of what you can provide.
- Pointing, searching and retrieving: If the dog should locate and indicate game in the field and retrieve shot game, consider appropriately bred pointing dogs.
- Retrieving: Working-bred retrievers may suit a focus on bringing back shot game.
- Flushing: Dogs bred to search cover independently need suitable ground, handling and safe opportunities to work.
- Tracking wounded game: A specialist tracking dog requires sustained preparation, experienced support and regular work.
This is a starting point, not individual breed advice. Discuss the particular breed and breeding line with its club and experienced handlers. Ask about working style, cooperation, voice and exercise needs. Appearance, size or a “family dog” label alone cannot decide suitability.
Concrete examples: which breed might fit?
Our practical assessment for choosing a first dog is guidance, not a suitability guarantee or a ranking by the breed clubs. The individual dog, breeding line, rearing, adult supervision and regular training matter. Children and dogs must never be left to manage interactions on their own.
Labrador Retriever
Retrieving small game and waterfowl; steady waiting and controlled work after the shot.
May suit first-time handlers and families when retrieving work, training and daily life align. Working lines can be very energetic.
Deutsch-Kurzhaar
Versatile pointing dog for field, woodland and water; searching, pointing and retrieving before and after the shot.
May suit committed first-time handlers with regular hunting work and close training support. Family integration is possible; exercise, learning to settle and supervision around children must be planned. Not a low-maintenance first dog.
Kleiner Münsterländer
A versatile pointing dog for field, woodland and water; searching, pointing and retrieving.
Possible for committed beginners with ongoing training support. Hunting drive and varied training needs must fit family life; not simply a companion dog.
Deutsch-Drahthaar
Versatile hunting work in field, woodland and water before and after the shot.
A demanding first dog: consider only with a clear hunting role, time and experienced support. Family life is possible, but assess strength, temperament and the individual dog carefully.
Teckel (Dackel)
Depending on training, flushing, blood tracking and earth work; each role requires suitable ability.
Small size does not mean easy training. May suit patient, consistent beginners. Plan quiet retreats and gentle handling by children.
Deutscher Wachtelhund
Flushing, especially in dense cover; bred for independent hunting work.
As a first dog, requires suitable regular work and close guidance. A friendly nature can coexist with strong hunting drive. A family pet with only occasional hunting is not the appropriate aim.
Deutscher Jagdterrier
An eager working hunting dog, including earth work and flushing; match training to the role.
Particularly demanding for inexperienced owners. Do not choose solely for compact size. Even with family integration, drive, work and safe handling remain central.
Bracken (scent hounds)
Examples include Deutsche Bracke, Westfälische Dachsbracke, Brandlbracke and Steirische Rauhhaarbracke. They follow game trails while giving voice; depending on breed, training and qualification, their work includes flushing and tracking wounded game. Suitable hunting ground and safe release opportunities matter.
May suit committed first-time handlers with experienced guidance and regular appropriate work. Independent searching, stamina and hunting drive require preparation. Family integration is possible; daily activity, learning to settle and adult supervision around children remain essential. Not a choice based only on size or a calm manner at home.
For beginners with children, a suitably selected Labrador Retriever is often a useful starting point for a discussion when retrieving is the intended work. For versatile pointing work, discuss the Small Münsterländer or Deutsch-Kurzhaar with the training team. Other breeds may also fit, but specialist tasks and stronger demands require particularly realistic preparation. No breed is automatically child-safe.
2. Everyday life – with or without children
Agree who provides daily care, who trains consistently and who covers illness, work and holidays. Allow for food, equipment, training, insurance and veterinary care, with a reserve for unexpected needs.
Care commitments also apply to households without children. With children, plan additional rules and ways to separate spaces safely. No breed guarantees compatibility with children; the individual dog, its experiences and adult supervision also matter.
Include cats, small pets, visiting children and other dogs in your plans. A family-friendly description does not remove hunting instincts. Safe separation and gradual introductions must be possible.
3. Flat, house, garden or kennel?
German legal requirements: Section 2 of the Dog Welfare Ordinance and Section 6 on kennels.
4. Puppy or a dog with previous training?
Decide on your starting point
A puppy brings a long learning journey. An older or trained dog may also fit, but verify its existing skills and the expectations attached to them. Ask to see everyday behaviour and working ability, and discuss health, the reason for rehoming and transfer to a new handler.
Visit & ask questions
Visit a breeder to see the rearing environment, mother and puppies. Ask about breed-specific parental health and performance records, pedigree documents and early experiences. Be open about your experience and household. Availability alone should not drive your decision.
Check documents & test eligibility
Before buying, check documentation and admission requirements for your intended tests with the breed club and training team. Papers do not replace appropriate rearing or subsequent training.
5. The first weeks: settling in before performance
Before arrival
Prepare bedding, bowls, suitable lead and harness or collar, and safe transport. Remove hazards and allow time to settle in. Discuss feeding and routine with the previous carer; take veterinary questions to your practice.
Settling in together
Start with manageable encounters, short learning sessions and reliable rest. Name recognition, attention to the handler, toilet training, gentle handling and gradual practice being alone are everyday foundations. Reward wanted behaviour rather than using force. The dog does not need to meet every person, dog and hunting situation in its first week.
Build skills gradually
Introduction to gunfire, game and demanding hunting tasks requires knowledgeable, age-appropriate guidance. Overloading a young dog serves neither dog nor wildlife. Passing a test is a milestone, not a substitute for experience and an honest assessment before each outing.
6. Before arrival: your shared checklist
- Hunting tasks and regular practice opportunities agreed?
- Everyone in the household on board, with a main carer and backup?
- Rules for children, a quiet retreat and safe separation prepared?
- Care, transport and ongoing costs, including a reserve, planned?
- Breeder or previous owner visited, records and test eligibility discussed?
- Insurance, identification, registration and local notification checked?
- Training team contacted before arrival?
Sources & further reading
Editorial guide · Checked 16 October 2026. Linked external material is in German.