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The Bulldogs selected Hunter, the son of 130-game defender Mark, with their third-round selection in this year's NAB AFL Draft (currently pick No. 46), which it was bound to do after North Melbourne bid its second-round pick (currently No. 35).
Hunter joins recent father-son recruits Ayce Cordy (2008), Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore (both 2010) at the Western Oval.
Hunter, a medium forward/midfielder, earnt his place at the Bulldogs with his impressive TAC Cup form with the Western Jets and as a key contributor in Vic Metro's victory at this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Donning a Western Bulldogs polo shirt, Hunter faced the media at Etihad Stadium shortly after officially becoming a Bulldog. With Mark watching on proudly, Hunter said he was proud to follow in his father's footsteps.
"Yeah, obviously, I'm very pleased with the result," Hunter said.
"It's a huge honour to play at the club where Dad played. I really can't wait to get started."
Hunter said his father had been a big influence on his football career from a young age.
"I pretty much started playing footy with dad as my coach since under-nines and ever since then I've dreamed of [playing for the Bulldogs]," Hunter said.
Standing alongside Hunter at his press conference was Bulldogs recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple.
Dalrymple said the Bulldogs were thrilled to secure Hunter with a draft selection that he thought could end up being about No. 50 once free agency compensation picks are announced.
"Obviously his father was a very good player for the Bulldogs and we think that Lachie with his season that he'd had to date has been really impressive," Dalrymple said.
"We think that as a forward and a midfielder he can add something to our group."
Mark played at the Bulldogs from 1988-96 and was a member of their 1994-95 finals campaigns.
Nick Bowen is a reporter with AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nick
