Gun Dog Forum

birddogger2

NWH - As Sharon said, any of those four breeds, pointer, setter, Brittany or shorthair should do you fine. Since you seem to be more interested in cover dog type dogs, I would focus my puppy search there. You will find mostly E. Setters and some pointers in the competitive cover dog world. I think y...

birddogger2

They were my grandfather's. In the back of each edition were advertisements for "hunting dogs". There was everything listed from American foxhounds to retrievers. Prices like $55 or $60 for a pedigreed puppy (or were these adult dogs? .... my memory is vague there) were common listings way back the...

birddogger2

I guess if you call chasing down a bird and killing it a retrieve. He did retrieve........Cj Actually the bird was quite alive when I took it from the dog. He had a pretty soft mouth...for a pointer(dropper). I wrung its neck. And YES the distance from where he started after the bird to where I saw...

birddogger2

My guys are each in a kennel. They learn...at a very early age that they have to stand still at the kennel door...or it does not open. They also learn, at a very early age... that if they attempt to bolt though the doorway before being released, that they get a face full of metal gate. Make your dog...

birddogger2

Pointers don't swim and I don't think they retrieve also and I don't think any spaniel breed is attractive. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I apologize, that wasn't me. That laughing was coming from my Pointer and Springer. They thought that was a knee slapper! I don't know for sure...but I thin...

birddogger2

I don't do much with retrievers, but I have about two dozen pointing dog training books and a handful of DVD's as well as a couple on things like Obedience and retrieving and force breaking. I have spent HOURS and HOURS watching others work through training scenarios. I have been messing with bird d...

birddogger2

PMW - It is entirely expected and common that a young dog will try to assert its independence and engage in several bouts of "selective deafness". I've never had one that didn't at a certain age. The key is not to tolerate it, as a trainer. Correct for it...each and every time. If that means taking ...

birddogger2

Jon - jon - jon - You have been given a TON of good advice and you seem not to want to listen. The fellow who said to you that there is a reason why labs dominate retriever field trials, pointers and setters dominate pointing dog field trials and shorthairs dominate Navhda was telling you something....

birddogger2

I have never done wing-shooting in my life. My only hunting experiences have been deer and varmints with a rifle and no dogs in the field. Wing-shooting and dogs for HUNTING is a new interest for me. I first need a good education. Everything from dogs to mounting and swinging a shotgun. ..............

birddogger2

It Is not about bending over to pick up a bird. It is about finding shot birds in heavy cover. To most serious upland hunters ands all water fowl hunters a dog that does not retrieve is worse than useless. There is a lot more to it than walking over and picking up the bird when it drops in a Thousa...

birddogger2

It's just more FUN to have well-trained man's best friend on hunts anyway. It makes it charming, endearing and memorable. Yes, a good canine retriever saves a lot of dirty muddy wet hunting clothes. You spend more time shooting and less time hunting dead yourself as a human retriever. If a sporting...

birddogger2

I'm already aware of how the dictionary defines "sporting dog" and how the AKC defines "Sporting Group". It is all connected with critters with "feathers". If I were to choose a breed for the following: 1. water-hole doves over MOJO decoys 2. open-field doves over MOJO decoys 3. wetland ducks over ...

birddogger2

Messed up this post. Mea culpa.

birddogger2

I had better then just refer to retrievers as RETRIEVERS. I don't know if I could even get away with saying GUN DOG for RETRIEVER in the South. Speaking of the South, I have seen RETRIEVERS used by dove hunters in TEXAS and TENNESSEE. I wonder what my uncle from GEORGIA would say about that today i...

birddogger2

Then what is Setters, Harebrains? Mostly they are Grouse dogs...and pretty good ones too. Too much coat for me, but when you see a good one...it gets your attention. RayG FWIW - I never heard anyone speak of "sporting dogs" myself either. I have been in many areas of the Northeast and Middle Atlant...

birddogger2

It depends on to whom you are speaking. If the person you are conversing with is an older, unreconstructed rebel, then any reference to a "bird dog", which will likely be pronounced "BUUUHD DAAWG" will refer EXCLUSIVELY to Pointers of the English variety and setters of the same English variety. Pret...

birddogger2

I think I like the notion of competing in Hunt Tests better than I would Field Trials. If my dog were to have any titles in his lines reflecting field trial awards, as FC, it would probably be a boon. I think FC is always a coveted title to have on pedigrees. For retrievers, Master Hunting Retrieve...

birddogger2

The term "stake" refers to a specific trial or test event. In American Field sanctioned events(pointing dogs only) where the results are appended to the dog's FDSB pedigree, there are Open stakes and Amateur stakes. As may be gathered by the titles, Amateur is restricted to Amateur handlers and Open...

birddogger2

It sounds to me like you really need to join a training group to see, first hand, what is involved in developing a dog to the level you describe. I can tell you this... it is a commitment and a sizeable one, in terms of time especially. Training a dog to a high level is a lifestyle choice. There are...

birddogger2

In the article "Pen Raised Quail for Training Bird Dogs", Frank Thompson says when using call-back pen birds, "never plant them". http://www.fieldtrialpointers.net/penraised.html My total experience with birds so far is 4 chukar that I bought, lost two trying to get them out of the box to plant, th...

birddogger2

I would ask each breeder...flat out...first thing...what kind of dog they are breeding for. What is their breeding goal and their ideal dog. How many litters they have bred...how long they have been breeding GSP's...stuff like that. If you are satisfied with the answers... Then...I think the next th...

birddogger2

Yea, well if a dog don't wanna be with you ,then that's nothing to do with a collar . maybe you just ain't ... I Trust dogs . lol I agree completely. The bonding process whereby a dog decides to be a part of YOUR pack is easiest( I think) to get done when the pup is quite young. If you wait until t...

birddogger2

You have a young, inexperienced dog. Hunting with a crowd and a bunch of strange dogs is a very good way to have a young, inexperienced dog learn lots of bad things. I wouldn't worry too much about the dog getting shot since pheasants typically fly pretty well. The only thing is if someone tries to ...

birddogger2

This hiding from a dog thing works....if the dog has any interest in finding you. With other dogs/pups, you may sneak a peak just in time to find you ain't got a dog anymore!?! :cry: And that is when the name and phone # on the collar may come in to play. But seriously... I have never seen the hidi...

birddogger2

. 3. When we're out exercising and I let him roam the farm, I whistle with no commands so he knows where I am. . I have nothing at all to add to any advice about collars etc. because I don't use collars or bells. The above did make me wonder though. I do something I call "anxiety training" while pu...

birddogger2

Pigeon's and remote trap. I doubt your dog understands it's moving the bird, grouse can be tuff! Training on wild birds will work eventually I suspect, Training on pigeons will train much faster! With the pigeon and remote traps, you can launch as soon as the dog makes game! You can't do that with ...

birddogger2

I believe the DNA process, as it has been implemented by the American Field, is more focused on creating a database of current stud dogs and dams, especially futurity winners and champions. Those dogs, who have excelled in competition, are the most likely candidates for use as stud dogs and matrons ...

birddogger2

Folks - The truth of the matter is...that we stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us. every day and in every avenue of human endeavor. Knowledge is incremental. Advances in knowledge occur because someone takes existing knowledge and applies it in a different way or in a different co...

birddogger2

Iso - I have an extended cab PU with a cap. 99% of the time the dogs go in plastic crates under the cap. No problem in even the coldest of weather around me. The back seat, which is accessible via suicide doors is usually for MY gear and the dog paraphernalia and water when it is below freezing. If ...

birddogger2

I agree with bustingcover. I would not do retrieves with dead birds any longer. In fact, in your case, I would lay off retrieves for a while and pretty much from now on, only accept retrieves that you have commanded the dog to do. If the dog does bring back a dead bird that you have not shot in the ...

birddogger2

Thank you Sharon. You're too kind! ezzy333, are you sure about that? If you are, why do horseback trialers (of which admittedly I was one) keep trying to turn their GSPs. Britts, Vizsla's etc. in quasi -pointers....with the emphasis on quasi ? Oh....and I have judged on both sides of the border. Sh...

birddogger2

Just like pants, one size doesn't fit all ; one breed of dog doesn't fit all! :D There are always strength and weakness tradeoffs between breeds. Some can see them and some cannot. I find Featherfinder's remark humorous, mostly because, when I was growing up...when someone spoke of a "bird dog", th...

birddogger2

I used to have a deal with a local Amish young man. $2 per bird and I didn't shoot them. It was a great arrangement because I didn't have to clean up after those filthy barn pigeons. Unfortunately, he moved away and none of his siblings or relatives cared to continue. There is a local livestock auct...

birddogger2

Ray,I thought this was about an individual dog with no credentials or health clearances rather the concept of various preferred colors. Seems you're jumping subjects. But on the other hand, it IS the internet. :| I don't think I am that far afield regarding this discussion. There were a whole lot o...

birddogger2

Guys - I see absolutely nothing wrong with breeding self colored dogs with the goal of producing additional self colored dogs...as long as the primary function of the dog is considered as well. A hunting dog should, of course, be bred first and foremost to improve or perpetuate the hunting abilities...

birddogger2

ISO - Just checked the book to be sure. According to my old copy(2007), 2 amateur or open puppy and 2 amateur or open derby points may be used toward the FC title. Am. Puppy and Am. Derby are ALWAYS walking stakes, so a first place in a puppy and a derby stake with 8-12 starters will get you almost ...

birddogger2

That's very interesting. I guess I'm too cheap to pay a trainer to unlearn something! :oops: I agree, you are to cheap. Passive aggressive replies are a sure way to get the same in return. Nothing nice to say, then move on. Try unlearning your own behavior issues then you will be a happy person. Mi...

birddogger2

porochi - As has been mentioned by several folks, there are many ways to get from here to there with a bird dog. I have, over the years done most of them. Depending on the dog, I may use a mixture of approaches, so some of the things I used forty years ago still have a place in the training regimen....

birddogger2

Pigeons/launchers sound effective, but pretty elaborate. I'm not sure where I can do that sort of training around here. I might have to spring for the pro training in the end. Last preserve hunt he pointed a pheasant, it flushed, was a low flyer and my dog bolted after it. One of the guys I was wit...

birddogger2

Thank you for the additional info on the dog. The pieces seem to come together better, with the additional details. I would agree with the other posters that steadiness training would seem to be a priority. I also agree that fixing the steadiness problem you have described, should be fairly easy to...

birddogger2

Thank you for the additional info on the dog. The pieces seem to come together better, with the additional details. I would agree with the other posters that steadiness training would seem to be a priority. I also agree that fixing the steadiness problem you have described, should be fairly easy to ...

birddogger2

I know this is heresy to some...but in your situation, a pointing Lab might just be the perfect choice. You will have a dog that naturally has the tendency to stay close, will stop and stand for grouse, at least until you get there and not drive forward to the flush, and that is not afraid to go int...

birddogger2

i recently bought a GSP, my first. I have a few questions. He's 18 mos., has been hunted over quite a bit already and isn't gun shy. I hunted over him before I bought him and he did well, pointed and retrieved several pheasants, i was sold, so bought him. I don't regret it, we've hunted several pre...

birddogger2

I made my 3 and 4 dog chain gangs out of 2/0 passing link welded chain. I used the same stuff for the drops. I attached the drops to the chain via medium duty "S" hooks with a plated steel swivel in between to prevent kinking. I have a 2" plated steel round ring on each end via Heavy Duty "S" hooks....

birddogger2

There is one other way to get from here to there. It is a "stop to flush" technique. Basically you let the dog run in a field of cover and when the dog is running, you launch a pigeon from a trap(if you have a remote launcher of assistant) as the dog is running in that direction. The dog does not ne...

birddogger2

Average - From what I can see, that ain't no AVERAGE dog you have there. Nice looking animal. Also, FWIW, I have had my clock cleaned at a horseback Gun Dog stake by a Wire. My pointer(who already had a bunch of placements in AF and AKC) did a great job that day... and got beat by a dog that did it ...

birddogger2

A lot of truth here, a pup will only bring what the market is willing to pay and just because a pup is higher priced does not guarantee you will get a better dog. With that being said, a good proven pedigree will will increase your chances of having a pup that is a good natural hunter. I'm sure som...

birddogger2

Guys - Just to set the record straight and avoid FURTHER misconceptions and misinformation, the two pups I mentioned in my previous post, both came my way as a result of my involvement with field trials. I wanted a pup to develop as a field trial dog. The folks I bought from wanted their pups to go ...

birddogger2

slistoe - Don't you get it?? If it ain't about GSP's...and more specifically about cJ's particular type of GSP's, it is wrong. He is right. Pointers can't swim, can't retrieve, won't hunt dead for cripples and they make horrible family pets because they are so aloof. It does not matter how many diff...

birddogger2

Actually cJ, Featherfinder does have a relative wealth of experience that extends far beyond just one breed and one way of enjoying pointing dogs. There are lots of misconceptions regarding the various breeds of pointing dogs. There are lots of folks who actively promote the "virtues" of one breed. ...

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