The wild population of snipe and Bob White are very limited and are located over in the eastern Kentucky mountains.
I joined a preserve real close to home here and took Diesel for his first exposure to birds.
I had no expectations whatsoever. I just wanted to get him around some planted birds and see how he reacted.
I did not carry a gun and wanted to just concentrate on watching my 4 month old lil guy work the field.
I bought both pheasant and quail…my buddy JB did the shooting.
Diesel did not even notice the gun going off. Was never phased.
He pointed every bird we had opportunities to shoot (9). It took no coaching from me whatsoever. I never even had to say whoa. It was like watching a movie.
One bird we walked within 5 feet of and when diesel got downwind of it he pivoted on his front right foot, spun around in a flash with his left leg cocked and locked up…he pointed within 10 feet of the bird.
He even retrieved a quail that ended belly up in a pond after being shot. He wasn’t sure what to do and when I encouraged him he retrieved the bird in the water and brought it back to me.
The other birds that JB shot were all pointed by Diesel…he does not have the visual coordination to even know that the bird had been shot most times because of the commotion…in those situations I started chasing the down bird and encouraged him to follow…he then proceeded to point the dead bird…he got a chance to spend time with every downed bird and I traded compliments and a treat for every point he provided for us.
This is my first gun dog. I have bird hunted for years. I have never had so much fun.
He also decided to test the water in a pond for the first time. Once he got in he did nascar laps combined with greg louganis belly flops and then rolled in the mud...you can see how caked over his hide is in the pic on the tailgate.
Lona (Breeder out of Vom Eisbarteich Kennels in Watertown, SD), I am thrilled with my choice of a Draht and even more pleased with his bloodlines. If he never got any better than he is right now as a 4 month old I would be satisfied.
Matt
....ruth