Bird Hunting Dogs

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Once you own your first bird dog, bird hunting will never be the same. It becomes a deeper, richer and more complete appeal. If you have to decide between taking your dog and your gun hunting, you leave the gun at home.

Bird Hunting Dogs

Bringing a gun dog into your life is not something to do lightly. Having a puppy is like having a new baby, especially if your hunting dog is also a house pet. It’s work. At first, you get up at 2:00 a.m. to pick up the dog; You spend time training and exercising; You need to puppy-proof your house so it doesn’t eat everything, and watch it too. And, there’s the cleaning. During hunting season, you should commit to taking your new dog outside as much as possible, even if that means less time in the deer stand. If you are ready to do all of the above, start looking for a breeder. Do it soon, as you will likely be placed on a waiting list.

Bird Dog Breeds For Avid Hunters

The good news is that if you choose a puppy with good breeding, there is a good chance that even as a first-time trainer, you will get good results. Genetic factors. Guide dogs are born knowing how to aim, and retrievers know how to retrieve. An inherited pre drive and eagerness to please is passed down through sire and dam.

After choosing your breed, you need to do your homework and find the right breeder, litter and puppy.

Once you’ve decided on a breed, find a breeder. My new German Shorthair puppy from Top Gun Kennel

In Central City, Iowa. Owners Steve and Jodi Reese have placed their dogs all over the United States and 12 other countries, despite raising only one or two litters per year. They are the type of breeders you want to find. I asked Steve what to look for when choosing a breeder and puppy.

Overcoming In Season Obstacles With Your Bird Dog

Rees says you should be clear that the breeder will stand behind the dog if it has a genetic defect, and you should be able to seek advice after the sale. “Choose a breeder who hunts and trains,” says Reiss, “Not only will you be sure to get a dog from the hunt, but the breeder will help you with training questions after the sale.

He named two red flags: “If they don’t have a waiting list, I wonder why no one wants their dog.” And, he said, make sure the breeder asks about you. “If they don’t ask about your needs and goals, beware. You want a breeder who will help you find the right litter and the right dog.”

Reese also says you should ask at what age the puppy will be coming home with you. “Eight to ten weeks is good. In the early days they learned a lot from their mother. Some breeders send puppies when they are very young.”

As you talk to the breeder, remember that others are raising you. That’s a good thing because it means they care about their dogs. “I take care of my customers,” Rees said, “My goal as a breeder is to put puppies with people who have good hunting dogs that other people can see. I want to put myself for failure by selling non-hunters.” No, or people who keep a dog tied in a garage and don’t hunt it much, or who don’t know – or don’t want to – learn how to train don’t hunt, and if you do me Ask for a field trial dog, and I’ll probably tell you that our dogs don’t go far enough and you won’t be happy.”

Your First Bird Dog: Pointer, Flusher, Or Retriever?

Finally, he said, “Don’t let distance or cost dictate your choice of breeder. This dog will be your companion for 12 to 15 years.

While you are looking at potential litters, study the dog’s pedigree for health problems. Make sure the sire and dam are certified against hip dysplasia. Also check the dog’s pedigree for titles. Look for AKC search test titles, or, in the case of continental breeds, NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) test results. If you see titles and championships listed and you don’t know what they mean, ask. A field trial title, for example, is only important if you want to compete in field trials or if you need a very large dog for hunting in the west. Most of us want a dog that is ready to be a hunter on foot, not to follow a horse or an ATV. Also, to get a good idea of ​​what your dog will do in the field, you’ll want to watch the parents hunt in the field or on video.

Be upfront with the breeder about your lack of experience, and they will help you find the right puppy. “When I meet someone who is a first-time gun dog owner, I look for a dog that has a lot of natural ability, is easy to train and wants to please,” says Rees.

It’s not a deal-breaker if all goes well, but at best, you’ll get a litter born in March or April. All those midnight trips to the yard happen in warm weather, and the dog is old enough to accompany you to the farm in the fall.

Hunting Dog Breeds Fit To Be Your Next Adventure Companion

There are all kinds of advice about choosing puppies. “Pick the boss of the litter” is what I always heard from my dad, but that’s only if you want an alpha dog. You should consider the dog that is best for you. Some customers have specific ideas about the size and color of the puppy they want. Reese advises potential buyers to keep an open mind. What’s inside a dog is more important than how it looks.

Look at the trash. If a dog is in the back and sitting there, you probably don’t want it if you need a heavy hunter. (However, he would make a good family dog.) “We ask customers who come to our place to walk away with the trash. Some puppies won’t obey, others will run away. We tell them you want to keep it to yourself,” he said.

Hold the puppy and turn it around to check for obedience, Reese says. If he doesn’t resist being handled this way, he’ll be more likely to accept you as a trainer. A dog that barks, growls or nips may be a dominant dog that needs a stronger hand in training. It might not be the best choice for a newbie.

As for men versus women, the conventional wisdom is that women are softer than men, and require a lighter touch in training. Reese says that varies by breed and line. “We don’t see that in our dogs,” he said, “pick whatever suits you. The biggest difference is that the females are smaller. If you want a 50-pound dog from our kennel , it must be a female. Our males average over 60.”

Are Golden Retrievers Good Hunting Dogs? Everything You Need To Know

Finally, Reese said, “I tell clients, don’t worry about the order you pick. When it comes to litter picking, the last dog from the litter you want is better than the first dog from the litter that you don’t want.”

You may read that Breed X needs hours of daily exercise, or that Breed Y is good for children, or apartment dwellers, or first trainers, or whatever. maybe. Breeds have characteristics, but there is also a lot of variation within a breed, so you can’t rely entirely on generalizations. You need to find the right breeder, litter and puppy. However, the following dog breeds are good choices for the first gun dog owner.

I’m biased here because besides the English Setter, I have a shorthair. They are as practical a gun dog as you will find. The short coats are burr-proof, but long enough to see the GSP through the hunt on very cold Midwestern winter days. They can adapt to hunting anything, even if you don’t want them for waterfowling later in the season. They are good hunters, good at tracking the lame, and enjoy having clowns in the house – if motivated.

For everything from ducks to pheasants, it’s hard to go wrong with a Labrador retriever. Ben Henson on Unsplash

Top 3 Emerging Hunting Dog Breeds

There’s a reason Labs are the most popular breed in America, year after year. They are friendly, good family dogs and have an amazing drive. They are also well adapted for hunting in the mountains, working on the range, flushing birds for the gun and vacuuming the lame. Labs really shine as waterfall retrievers, and I’ve seen them dive underwater to retrieve ducks. You need to be very careful to check the health history of your Lab puppy line – because they can be prone to dysplasia – and to keep them at a healthy weight.

Brittany looks more like a house dog than a gun

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