That is comical... I have hunted three species of grouse, pheasants, woodcock, snipe and huns for 40 years with springers, and shot quite literally thousands of game birds over them, but you would not consider them grouse dogs... lol.
what dog for ducks and grouse?
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That is comical... I have hunted three species of grouse, pheasants, woodcock, snipe and huns for 40 years with springers, and shot quite literally thousands of game birds over them, but you would not consider them grouse dogs... lol.
Nope and I have had a few...
Hunted plenty of wild pheasants with pointers but don’t consider them the ultimate pheasant dog.
You can pattern the hell out of huns and have success with springers with local knowledge but having the birds 1 km in a stubble field good luck.
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After all, one should not oversee the chemistry between the dog and the leader (owner) and the level of training one can give to the dog or the dog can take. Some dogs, lets assume with the same instinct and predisposition, work better for some in their intended purpose than for others.
I know that professional K9 leaders in law enforcement and rescue will in average go through 2-5 dogs before they find "their partner" for "intended use". IMO, it's not different from finding the hunting dog you want.
RR
I know that professional K9 leaders in law enforcement and rescue will in average go through 2-5 dogs before they find "their partner" for "intended use". IMO, it's not different from finding the hunting dog you want.
RR
Quite a few different opinions here which is great ,all dogs have there pos. and negs. have been playing this game for a long time have seen good and bad in all breeds .Flavour of the month out west now seems to be the DD and partner has one being trained for this year so will be curious to see how he works out . Like both my dogs and they both have goods and bads but accept that as I am far from perfect as well so hope they can forgive me sometimes when I miss that perfect "bird".
Mmmm, I dunno about that. If you aren't into birds almost constantly, you're doing it wrong, or in the wrong spot. You should be averaging a bird every 20 minutes or so, which effectively means as soon as you're done gutting the last bird your pooch will be pointing the next. I hunt old skidded trails and bash bush, and if I'm not constantly on birds that tells me I'm in the wrong spot.
Patrick Gidlet
CGN Regular
- Location
- Thunder Bay
Mr Dilly and I are birds of a feather when it comes to guns and dogs, and I agree with his experience here. My 7 year old DD is a staunch pointer on pheasants and will even point rabbits reliably, but grouse has always been a tough one. Luckily I live in an area rich with grouse, so a few bumped birds is no big deal, and she will point those that are in thicker cover. I think it's a product of an intense prey desire - if that bird is visible to her, she isn't going to stand there looking at it, but will instead give chase and bust the bird. While it isn't ideal, I can absolutely say there is no better breed of dog I've ever hunted over when it comes to game recovery and all-out desire. I grew up with labs, and a close family friend who got me into upland hunting always had springers. Both are fantastic breeds, and they retrieve well and reliably, but my DD at least - can't speak for all - just blows my mind with her ability to focus on a winged bird, on land or water.
Once my old buddy's days are done, I may get a setter as a grouse specialist dog, but for an all-round hunting companion, I will always have a Drahthaar.
I got a golden Retriever. It's my second one and neither were hard to train to fetch downed birds. There are dogs that are better at it, but the dog is a hunting dog a few weekends out of the year and a family pet the rest. Got to take that into consideration.
Yes exactly what I have done ,best of both worlds ,only DD I have seen so far was great at everything bird and hunting related but had a bit of a how would you say lack of patience with other dogs and people.no problem have seen labs and Chessies same way so could be a one off.Oh and I use a 28 great little gun overlooked by many
There is no problem when someone says: "This is what I prefer, and here is why..."
But it is a different story when someone says;
"My 16 gauge works and your 20 gauge doesn't" or
"I kill birds with #6's, but you only wound them with #7.5's" or
"My pointer is a grouse dog, your flushing breed isn't."
My DD is friendly with everyone, and wants to play with every dog he meets.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Labs and Golden retrievers would be my choice for ducks and upland birds and they make a great pets for around the house. You will not find better dogs for young kids. They are stable breeds. I guess thats why they are widely used as seeing eye dogs.
