Best Fishing Dog Breeds – And How To Choose W/ Pictures & Stats

Dogs love all outdoor activities and they enjoy being in your company anywhere you go. While some breeds enjoy staying inside, most of our furry friends love being outdoors, especially in nature. If you enjoy being outside and are looking for a dog breed best for fishing, you’ve come to the right place.

In the list below, you will find the best dog breeds for fishing.

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Alaskan Malamute
Australian Shepherd
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Golden Retriever
Vizsla (Pointer)
Brittany Spaniel
Irish Setter
Portuguese Water Dog
Labrador Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retriever

 

Alaskan Malamute

This breed is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. It got its name from one Alaskan tribe, as they originally come from the west part of Alaska. Malamute is large dog and they were used mostly for sled pulling. They were also used for fishing which is why they are considered good swimmers. They are one of the best family dogs, so if you or your entire family love fishing and you want to have a great companion, consider taking Alaskan malamute into your loving home.

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Australian Shepherd

These dogs are active, intelligent, protective, and loving, so taking them into your home and on your adventures can be fantastic. They love being outdoors and they are also one of the best “fly fishing” dogs due to their patience. Many dog owner say how incredibly well behaved these dogs are when trained properly. This makes them a fantastic fishing buddy, especially for those that love fly fishing.

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Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

This is an intelligent breed that is “eager to please” and willing to play endlessly. They enjoy being outside and being active. The best owners for them are those who don’t like sitting inside of the house. Those who love doing activities in nature make the best partners for these retrievers. This breed is the smallest among retrievers. Because of their similar hair color, they are often mistaken for Golden retrievers.

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Golden Retriever

Medium-large dogs who are considered as one of the most loving family dogs. They are originally bred for duck hunting and other game birds. They certainly love to play, and are also great swimmers and that ability makes them good for fishing and water activities. Like all retrievers, they enjoy being outside, especially in nature. Take this golden buddy with you to a day trip to the nearby lake, go fishing together and you and the dog will both have incredible times.

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Vizsla (Pointer)

Hungarian Vizsla is a natural hunter. This breed is very fast and great in outdoor activities. Because of its ability, Vizsla has a prominent position among sporting dogs. They are a great family and loving companion dogs. Primarily they were bred to work in fields and bodies of water. That is why, nowadays, they are considered as one of the best dogs for activities such as fishing and hunting. They have incredible stamina.

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Brittany Spaniel

They are medium-sized dogs, originally bred in Brittany, a province of France. They are very athletic, fast, energetic, and very trainable. They were bred for bird hunting so they are fast, energetic, and have great endurance. Nowadays they are used for many activities. They enjoy being outdoors. They love being around humans. If you choose a dog of this breed, you will get a great partner for your fishing activities.

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Irish Setter

This is one of the most beloved family dogs. They are tireless, love being outdoors, and doing many different activities, including fetch. They were bred for hunting, especially setting and pointing upland game birds. They are very fast, good catchers, and great swimmers. No wonder why we have them on our list – their abilities put them in the top breeds for sports activities. So, if you enjoy fishing, getting this incredible dog may be a great decision.

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Portuguese Water Dog

As the name says itself, this breed is originally from Portugal. They were taught to herd fish into nets and to be couriers from a ship to a ship, or from a ship to the shore. So, guess what? They are incredible around water and easy to train. They love being close to the water and of course, catching fish. Get one of these dogs if you love spending time close to the water. You won’t regret it!

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Labrador Retriever

Like the other two breeds of retrievers on our list, Labradors are also great swimmers and wonderful family dogs as well as guard dogs. This is one of the most popular and most loved dog breed in the world. They are big and strong dogs, prepared for sports. Their physical appearance, plus their abilities, put them on our list. A labrador is for sure a great company for any outdoor activities, especially for those that include water. They are called “fisherman’s best friends”. So, if you are a person who enjoys being close to a river or a lake, consider letting this dog into your life.

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Chesapeake Bay Retriever

This breed was developed in the USA, in the bay Chesapeake. In their nature is water and they absolutely love being around it. In the past, they were mostly used for retrieving waterfowl, pulling fishing nests, and rescuing fishermen. Nowadays, these dogs are mainly great family dogs and also great companies for hunting and fishing activities. They are well known for their waterproof coat, making them great around water.

Read More About The Chesapeake Bay Retriever

 

Final Thoughts

Dogs love being outdoors. They love spending time in nature, surrounded by their loved ones. A lot of breeds were originally bred specifically for hunting or fishing. Most of them are great swimmers and love being close to the water. We have made a list of the best breeds for fishing that will help you choose the best company for this activity. You’ll notice all of these breeds have some traits in common:

• They are friendly and good around people
• They are easily trainable
• They are fit, energetic, and have great stamina

Looking for a breed with all of these traits is recommended. With that being said, there are dozens of other breeds that didn’t make this list that will still make incredible fishing dogs. Have any you’d like to see added? Let us know!