Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

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isonychia
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Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by isonychia » Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:39 pm

I'm really at a debate with trying my brit out waterfowling this year (his first season), he will retrieve in water but has not been force fetched yet. I am mostly concerned with how to keep him still enough but also warm enough. He has very short hair for a brittany (more like a GSP) and gets cold when sitting still if he is wet and the temp is low. He is not kept outside, and I know that would help but just isn't really an option living where I do. Jackets seem a little ridiculous but maybe a camo neoprene wouldn't be a bad idea. I've also heard of people taking propane heaters. What are your suggestions?

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by ultracarry » Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:24 pm

Propane heater would work the best... or like the buddy heater....

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by Fireside » Sun Oct 23, 2011 2:29 pm

I would try the neoprene. Make sure the leg cutouts are large enough to not chafe, you may have to do some customizing since brittanys are not shaped like most retrievers...

Have you tried Pastorius? The geese are coming over the house morning and night in HUGE flocks... I know a number of people that say that Pastorius is excellent on weekday mornings.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by Sharon » Sun Oct 23, 2011 3:23 pm

Between retrieves the dog should have a spot to get completely out of the water.
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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by isonychia » Sun Oct 23, 2011 4:09 pm

Pastorius is pretty close! I didn't even know it was there, definitely checking that out, thanks. What is a good blind that anyone can recommend that will fit 2 people and a dog? Or is it better to just get a dog specific blind separately? Either way, I think a blind would help with training my dog to stay still for duck hunting and also allow me to use one of those buddy heaters if I needed to.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by DonF » Sun Oct 23, 2011 4:54 pm

I would get him a good pillow to sit on next to a heater and get a Lab to do the work! I know everyone loves their dog but realistically even though the dog can do it, a retriever will do it better in colder water.I don't know that any of the pointing breeds have the under coat to protect them. Maybe the Drath, but they still won't retrieve better than a retriever reguardless what the exception does. The other thing that would work, is only hunt ducks with it early season before it get's to cold.
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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by southwayno » Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:44 pm

you could keep him at home and get a wire hair . When it comes down to a brass tax not much you can do to keep him warm.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by ACooper » Sun Oct 23, 2011 6:09 pm

How cold are you expecting him to work?

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by nj gsp » Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:33 pm

Here's my setter with a neoprene flotation vest on. Yeah I know - the camo vest helps hide him a lot, doesn't it? :roll: Keyword here is flotation. When this picture was taken we had heavy rain the day before so the river was high & fast and the water in the 40's I think. He's turned out to be a good duck dog - "sit & stay" is all he needs. I think I might get one of those dog blinds for him to hide a little better - especially for goose hunting.

Image

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by deke » Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:59 am

buy a lab. We hunt ours in standing water and he just hangs out. Also he drags the decoys to the blind. He does wear a camo coat though cause he has been known to run into stuff, he might not be smart but he can sure fetch a duck. P.S. a good way to tire out a hyper dog before making him sit in a duck blind. Hook the decoy bag to him and just start walking, he will fallow and be tired after the walk out there.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by britspan » Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:31 pm

DonF wrote:I would get him a good pillow to sit on next to a heater and get a Lab to do the work! I know everyone loves their dog but realistically even though the dog can do it, a retriever will do it better in colder water.I don't know that any of the pointing breeds have the under coat to protect them. Maybe the Drath, but they still won't retrieve better than a retriever reguardless what the exception does. The other thing that would work, is only hunt ducks with it early season before it get's to cold.
I would have to disagree on this. My hunting buddy has a chocolate lab and my brit out retrieves that dog any day. You might think a so called retriever is better but its all in the dogs abilities and training. I use my britt as a duck dog all season and she is fine. I use a drake 5 mm neoprene vest and it keeps her warm as long as I let her run around for a minute to dry the cold water off of her and get the blood flowing good. If you are really concerned, bring a little propane heater with you and put that behind the dog. All in all, I think a true versatile gun dog will 'do it all' if you train them right.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by ACooper » Fri Nov 25, 2011 6:07 pm

britspan wrote:
DonF wrote:I would get him a good pillow to sit on next to a heater and get a Lab to do the work! I know everyone loves their dog but realistically even though the dog can do it, a retriever will do it better in colder water.I don't know that any of the pointing breeds have the under coat to protect them. Maybe the Drath, but they still won't retrieve better than a retriever reguardless what the exception does. The other thing that would work, is only hunt ducks with it early season before it get's to cold.
I would have to disagree on this. My hunting buddy has a chocolate lab and my brit out retrieves that dog any day. You might think a so called retriever is better but its all in the dogs abilities and training. I use my britt as a duck dog all season and she is fine. I use a drake 5 mm neoprene vest and it keeps her warm as long as I let her run around for a minute to dry the cold water off of her and get the blood flowing good. If you are really concerned, bring a little propane heater with you and put that behind the dog. All in all, I think a true versatile gun dog will 'do it all' if you train them right.
For the most part I agree, but there is going to a difference in waterfowling in SC and waterfowling in CO...

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by DonF » Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:01 pm

britspan wrote:
DonF wrote:I would get him a good pillow to sit on next to a heater and get a Lab to do the work! I know everyone loves their dog but realistically even though the dog can do it, a retriever will do it better in colder water.I don't know that any of the pointing breeds have the under coat to protect them. Maybe the Drath, but they still won't retrieve better than a retriever reguardless what the exception does. The other thing that would work, is only hunt ducks with it early season before it get's to cold.
I would have to disagree on this. My hunting buddy has a chocolate lab and my brit out retrieves that dog any day. You might think a so called retriever is better but its all in the dogs abilities and training. I use my britt as a duck dog all season and she is fine. I use a drake 5 mm neoprene vest and it keeps her warm as long as I let her run around for a minute to dry the cold water off of her and get the blood flowing good. If you are really concerned, bring a little propane heater with you and put that behind the dog. All in all, I think a true versatile gun dog will 'do it all' if you train them right.
Your hunting buddy? You live in So Carolina! The poster asking the question lives in Durando, Colorado. A nice comfortable winter day for them is d*mn cold for you!
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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by Wildweeds » Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:09 pm

I completley agree with Don on this subject,that "Double duty swiss army knife" canine is kind of like the guy you grew up with that has a little bit of experiance in everything from A to Z but is really a master of one half hazardly.Yeah I've hunted with labs for waterfowl that were not fit to feed as anything other than a kids pet,it's because of the showring and popularity as a pet leading to willy nilly "let's show the kids the miracle of birth" litters.I've hunted with master hunter labs and FT jobbies too,and as such those are specialists that do their job well.I have the very same opinion as to using a labrador as an upland dog,yeah it can be done but in doing so in the right areas your leaving a ton of ground untouched that more than likely holds a covey of birds.For supreme instinct in retrieving and tough will mentally and phisically if you can stand the bull headedness and get the training through.................Chessie.Every one of the 4 I hunted with was a downright miracle worker.

britspan wrote:
DonF wrote:I would get him a good pillow to sit on next to a heater and get a Lab to do the work! I know everyone loves their dog but realistically even though the dog can do it, a retriever will do it better in colder water.I don't know that any of the pointing breeds have the under coat to protect them. Maybe the Drath, but they still won't retrieve better than a retriever reguardless what the exception does. The other thing that would work, is only hunt ducks with it early season before it get's to cold.
I would have to disagree on this. My hunting buddy has a chocolate lab and my brit out retrieves that dog any day. You might think a so called retriever is better but its all in the dogs abilities and training. I use my britt as a duck dog all season and she is fine. I use a drake 5 mm neoprene vest and it keeps her warm as long as I let her run around for a minute to dry the cold water off of her and get the blood flowing good. If you are really concerned, bring a little propane heater with you and put that behind the dog. All in all, I think a true versatile gun dog will 'do it all' if you train them right.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by britspan » Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:48 pm

Your hunting buddy? You live in So Carolina! The poster asking the question lives in Durando, Colorado. A nice comfortable winter day for them is d*mn cold for you!
With wind chills getting to 15-20 degrees and frozen ponds is pretty da** cold anywhere you go. Any temperatures past that are just plain out cold no matter where you go.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by ezzy333 » Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:57 pm

britspan wrote:
Your hunting buddy? You live in So Carolina! The poster asking the question lives in Durando, Colorado. A nice comfortable winter day for them is d*mn cold for you!
With wind chills getting to 15-20 degrees and frozen ponds is pretty da** cold anywhere you go. Any temperatures past that are just plain out cold no matter where you go.
You just can't compare S.Carolina tp Colorado no matter how you try. My grandkids in northern N.Carolina hadn't seen snow till the last 2 winters.30 degrees with a 20 mile per hour wind is a fairly warm day even here in IL. We look forward to those temps to get the dogs out but often we end up at 5 to 10 above and a little wind.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by isonychia » Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:25 pm

ezzy333 wrote:
britspan wrote:
Your hunting buddy? You live in So Carolina! The poster asking the question lives in Durando, Colorado. A nice comfortable winter day for them is d*mn cold for you!
With wind chills getting to 15-20 degrees and frozen ponds is pretty da** cold anywhere you go. Any temperatures past that are just plain out cold no matter where you go.
You just can't compare S.Carolina tp Colorado no matter how you try. My grandkids in northern N.Carolina hadn't seen snow till the last 2 winters.30 degrees with a 20 mile per hour wind is a fairly warm day even here in IL. We look forward to those temps to get the dogs out but often we end up at 5 to 10 above and a little wind.

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I used to live in Asheville and spent a lot of time at my gf's parents place up in the boonies north of Boone, NC on the TN line. Last year was a huge snow year, they had snow on their property pretty much all winter and when I was house sitting for them the wind chills got to around -11 deg F. I will say this doesn't happen in the flatlands there though, I grew up in winston salem, and while I saw snow every year, it was never much. The thing about Durango, CO from what I understand (haven't lived here through a winter yet) is that while it may get in to single digits at night, it gets up to the 40's during the day. Anything too much higher in elevation doesn't see many ducks anyways. That water borders freezing though

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by jarbo03 » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:32 pm

The heaters work great if you are in a situation to use them, I rarely was. The neoprene vests do help, I also keep a towel or Shamwow in my blind bag to dry the dog off, and a dog blind works great for keeping them out of the wind.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by britspan » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:13 pm

Whether there is a 10 or even 20 degree difference in weather from SC to wherever up north, either way you look at it, the dogs are going to get cold and that is the point of this thread I do believe (methods to keep them warm).

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by bridget264 » Wed Apr 04, 2018 6:31 am

Make your dog warm by providing some basic important facilities like
1) Pay attention to the floor covering
2) Go for heated pads
3) Provide warm beds 
4) Encircle the dog house
5) Place some straw
6) Make available the thick and soft blankets
7) Employ draft shields
8) Take proper care of diet
9) Arrange for proper dressing
10) Look after the grooming.
This points if a dog owner follows will definitely make a dog warm.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by fishvik » Thu Apr 05, 2018 12:21 pm

I think you'll be okay with a neoprene vest and let the dog run around a little every 20 -30 min. Just don't expect that you'll have the tolerance of a lab or chessie for western waterfowl hunting weather and quit if the pup really starts to shiver.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by averageguy » Fri Apr 06, 2018 12:24 pm

I use an Avery neoprene vest on the dog. I let them move around and roll in the grass if present to get excess water off after a retrieve if nothing is working the spread at that moment, and I use Dog Blinds to get the dog out of the wind and trap some heat. I have two of them. One is a ground blind and the other is on adjustable legs for hunting in water in marshes. If I am in a pit blind or boat blind I will also use a propane heater as needed.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by DonF » Fri Apr 06, 2018 12:30 pm

If I were a water foul hunter, If I got a shorthair dog, it would be one with a good undercoat, labs would be first choice. With my old short hairs, I'd shoot a duck only once in a great while but now and then game birds would be shot over water in the cold. The dog's got them out and kept running and dried out, didn't seem to be a problem. If I wanted a pointing dog more than a water foul dog but wanted to also hunt water foul, I'd try something like a Wirehair, a Griffon or even maybe a Poodlepointer. Guy was by a few days ago for birds. He is from up north of Kalispell Montana and had one with him. Dog felt like it did have a nice under coat. Only the second one I'd ever seem, good looking dog! I believe the long hair dog's like setter's and Brtts would be in the same situation as the shorthair dogs, no undercoat! As for them keeping warm at home in a kennel, I always put straw in the house and let them arrange it. Straw is much better than hay as it's hollow and helps hold the dog natural heat it. You will also do better with a smaller rather than a larger dog house and shorter rather than taller. You would be surprised the temperature's the dogs can take if you really pay attention to the size of the house and the bedding in it!

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by CDN_Cocker » Fri Apr 06, 2018 6:04 pm

I use a neoprene vest but my hunting buddy usually has a small propane heater we use for my cocker. His labs don't need it. We have it for us and Jake. It's not short hair that matters. It's the density of the hair. Single coated silky haired dogs like Brits and spaniels will struggle with temps during late season waterfowl.

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Re: Keeping a short haired dog warm waterfowling

Post by Timewise65 » Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:10 pm

I hunt waterfowl here in Missouri. I own three Golden Retrievers all gun dog trained. Two of them are now semi retired and I limit them to warmer weather hunts. My newest girl is a very small hard driving red Golden. She has usually short hair for a Golden, see below, even so she is a SH and WCX can this dog can HUNT! I am a Colorado native and hunted waterfowl in Eastern Colorado for many years before ending up in Missouri.

Therefore, I know about cold hunting. In MO, we hunt waterfowl right up until the ice on the ponds gets so think we cannot break open a hole to hunt in Usually happens in Dec.. Many days, we have spent the first 45min. breaking open a hole, so the ducks and/or geese will drop in and pay us a visit. This technique has paid dividends with us many times, but for our dogs, they need a good vest (Avery neoprene vest) and a way to get the water off them while they wait for the next retrieve.

3-4 years ago I found a dog blind that is perfect for how we hunt....below is the information. I have used it hard on water and land and it has held up. Best blind I ever used for my dogs....check it out! It is not cheep, but it works and if your dog is kennel trained they will naturally jump in it without having to break it in with them, like other dog blinds. This with a vest does the trick. I would trust it in Colorado also...but do to the extreme cold that can occur, I would use the ice rule always.....and maybe even not hunt if the water is iced over, is it can drop below 0 in CO....so be careful on that!

Invisi-Lab G2 - $200.00
keeps your dog hidden and comfortable in the field OR on the water with settings of up to 34 inches of water depth. The independently adjustable legs make it the most stable dog stand on the market. In addition to that, it functions as a comfortable crate for transport to and from the field.
• Keeps your dog out of mud and off frozen ground as a field blind
• Camo Kennel is built into the stand.
• Can be zipped shut to function as a crate for transport.
• Mesh bottom drains and provides slip proof footing.
• Individually adjustable legs give it great stability in deeper water even on uneven ground
• Excellent training tool
• Kennel Dimensions: 31 inches in length; 24 inches in width; 21 inches in height
• Legs extend up to to 34 inches in length from the base of the kennel floor.
• Weighs 17lbs.
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