I think any dog would be OK at tracking a down deer. Of course some are better than others but sporting dogs, those who are used to running the woods and feel at home there would probably be even better. I also think they would pick up the scent of a down deer naturally. I had a friend a few yrs. ago that brought his house dog (collie/sheppard mix) into the Maine woods in search of a nice buck he failed to find. Less than an hour later, the deer was hanging in his barn thanks to his dog.