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Hunting Dogs in Video Games: Which Games Have Them and What They Do
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A good dog changes how a hunting game feels - suddenly you're not alone in the woods, and a wounded animal isn't lost just because the blood trail went cold. Several games have added dogs, each with a different job. Here's who does what in theHunter: Call of the Wild, Hunting Simulator 2 (both on Amazon) and Way of the Hunter 2.
Short answer: theHunter: Call of the Wild has dog DLCs - a Bloodhound that tracks blood trails from wounded animals (2021) and a Labrador Retriever that fetches your harvests on land or in water. Way of the Hunter 2's dog detects animal signs, follows blood trails and tracks wounded game, and gets better with training. Hunting Simulator 2 has a Labrador, a German Shorthaired Pointer and a Beagle, each with its own hunting strengths.
theHunter: Call of the Wild
Call of the Wild added dogs as paid DLC:
- Bloodhound (released March 30, 2021). Its Steam page says to "use it to track the scent of blood from injured prey", and that it "can pick up blood trails even in the thickest of brush with ease."
- Labrador Retriever (announced by Avalanche Studios for November 28, 2023). "On command the Lab will retrieve harvests, either on land or in water and bring them quickly back" - great for waterfowl and small game.
They do different jobs: the Bloodhound finds wounded animals, the Lab fetches what you've already harvested. Reviewers noted the Lab doesn't replace the Bloodhound's tracking.
Way of the Hunter 2
Way of the Hunter 2 (launched September 29, 2026) builds the dog into the game. Its official site says the hunting dog "detects animal signs, follows blood trails, and tracks wounded game", and that it improves with training. It connects directly to the game's tracking and shot systems (see shot placement and blood trails).
Hunting Simulator 2
Nacon's Hunting Simulator 2 had dogs from launch. Its Steam page says: "Use your hunting dog to track your prey," with a Labrador Retriever, a German Shorthaired Pointer and a Beagle, "each dog has its specific hunting attributes." Press coverage at the time described the Beagle flushing game into the open and dogs following a wounded deer's blood trail.
theHunter Classic
Classic didn't have a dog companion like these, and with the game shutting down on November 11, 2026 (what's confirmed), it won't get one.
Side by side
| Game | Dog(s) | What they do (official) |
|---|---|---|
| theHunter: Call of the Wild | Bloodhound (DLC), Labrador Retriever (DLC) | Track blood from injured prey; retrieve harvests on land or water |
| Way of the Hunter 2 | Hunting dog (built in) | Detects signs, follows blood trails, tracks wounded game; trainable |
| Hunting Simulator 2 | Labrador, German Shorthaired Pointer, Beagle | Track prey; each breed has its own attributes |
How it compares with real hunting dogs
The games line up with the real jobs dogs do:
- Blood tracking: specially trained dogs, often on a long leash, help hunters find wounded deer - the most ethical use of a dog in deer hunting. Rules on using dogs to track wounded deer differ a lot by state, so hunters check their wildlife agency first.
- Retrieving: Labradors are classic retrievers for ducks and upland birds.
- Pointing and flushing: pointers hold and show where birds are; flushers like spaniels and beagles push game into the open.
Real dogs take years of training - in the games, it's a few button presses, but the idea is the same: the dog's nose finds what your eyes miss (tracks and sign).
Before you buy a dog DLC or game
- Check the job. A retriever won't track wounded game, and a tracker won't fetch ducks - match the dog to how you hunt.
- Check the platform. DLC is sold separately per platform and needs the base game.
- Read recent player reviews on the store page for how well the dog behaves after the latest updates.
Is a dog worth it in these games?
- If you lose wounded animals: a tracking dog (Call of the Wild's Bloodhound, Way of the Hunter 2's dog) saves a lot of frustration.
- If you hunt birds or small game: a retriever saves time and walking.
- If you like company in the woods: any of them - many players say the dog is what keeps them coming back.
Frequently asked questions
Does theHunter: Call of the Wild have a dog?
Yes, as DLC: the Bloodhound (2021) tracks blood trails from injured prey, and the Labrador Retriever (2023) retrieves harvests on land or in water.
What does the dog do in Way of the Hunter 2?
Its official site says it detects animal signs, follows blood trails and tracks wounded game, and improves with training.
Which dogs are in Hunting Simulator 2?
A Labrador Retriever, a German Shorthaired Pointer and a Beagle, each with its own hunting attributes, according to its Steam page.
Can real hunters use dogs to track wounded deer?
In some places, yes, often with leashed tracking dogs - but rules differ by state. Check your wildlife agency's regulations.
Sources and further reading
- theHunter: Call of the Wild - Bloodhound (Steam) - released March 30, 2021; tracks blood from injured prey
- Avalanche Studios: the Labrador Retriever arrives in theHunter: Call of the Wild - retrieves harvests on land or water
- Way of the Hunter 2 official site - dog detects signs, follows blood trails, tracks wounded game
- Hunting Simulator 2 on Steam - Labrador, German Shorthaired Pointer, Beagle
- List of U.S. state fish and wildlife agencies - real-world tracking-dog rules
How this was written: Based on official store pages and announcements: the Bloodhound DLC Steam page, Avalanche Studios' Labrador Retriever announcement, the Way of the Hunter 2 official site and the Hunting Simulator 2 Steam page. Prices and availability change, so we don't list them.