Hunting with dogs

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PlaidSon

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Any good books or reading on what and how to train a dog to hunt upland game? I've never hunted with a dog but am interested in the techniques and such. For example whistle commands, when the dog should lay chase, when to stay, when to retrieve etc.

Can retrievers make decent upland dogs? I hunt ducks, starting to rabbit hunt, and probably will get into partridge and pheasant hunting at some point. I'd really like to just have one all around dog.
 
Look into NAVHDA / versatile breeds. Lots to choose from that can go from the duck blind to the uplands. Having said that, retrievers have been used in the uplands for some time, primarily as flushers although there are lines that point. Just make sure, whatever the breed, you choose from "field" lines and not necessarily "show" lines, although they do intersect in some cases.
 
Have you ever trained any sort of dog before?

Your familiarity with basic obedience training will really influence which breed of dog that will be recommended. Also - within the different breeds - you MUST must sure what the breeder is aiming for. Trial dogs? Bench dogs? Two neighbors breeding their respective dogs just because they are the same breed?

If you have some experience with handling dogs I would suggest one of the European "versatile" breeds like the GSP or Munsterlander for what you are looking for.

If you are looking for a retriever that will flush grouse and pheasants it is hard to go wrong with a quality Labrador from a respectable breeder.

If you are looking for an compact-sized upland flusher that will put up birds and bust bunnies - and retrieve moderate amounts of waterfowl - a Field-bred English Springer or English Cocker is hard to beat.
 
PlaidSon said:
I hunt ducks, starting to rabbit hunt, and probably will get into partridge and pheasant hunting at some point. I'd really like to just have one all around dog.
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You just described the Drahthaar & lucky for you the breed warden for Canada lives in NS... Have a look at "vdd canada", just be aware that a dog takes LOTS of time... My Drahthaar Nos gets a 1 hour OFF LEASH run per day, every day, ALL YEAR LONG!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
I've had dogs around me most of my life, I'm not totally in the dark when it comes to training. I would, in the interest of having a well trained dog enlist some help. By the sounds of things it's a a Labrador (or Drahthaar) I'm looking for. I'm assuming they're good with frigid water? I'll have to look into trial and bench, breeding is not something I'm familiar with yet.

If a dog flushes a bunny and I don't shoot it, is it hard to train it to flush it back to me and not chase it for it's self? This is why I want to familiarize myself with hunting techniques before I decide to get a dog. I want to know what I can expect from a dog. This will be my first purpose dog, and I want to know if we can work together before I get one.
 
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Our current Lab is the boy in the rear.

Luke_Tank.JPG


This is our new "Up & Comer" She is a Field-bred ESS
Maggie_Tank_Feb_2014_011.jpg


This was a good day hunting waterfowl with a few guns. The Toller in the rear really impressed me with the way he handled a wing-tipped honker.
The_trio.jpg


Our current pup's mother. This picture shows the difference between a Field-bred and a Show stock ESS which is shown in the photo after.

http://www.essft.com/fieldshow.html

Sam17.jpg

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What Jay mentions about energy levels on these hunting dogs is a major consideration when choosing your pup. If you cannot give a high energy dog its daily attention then choose one which does not need quite as much attention. Smaller dogs while not as versatile can be kept in hunting shape with less time spent. If you like being around dogs you will enjoy hunting that much more with a dog. They expand your abilities manyfold in locating game. Loss of cripples becomes a thing of the past when in dense bush. They always listen to all your stories without comment as well.
 
PlaidSon said:
I've had dogs around me most of my life, I'm not totally in the dark when it comes to training. I would, in the interest of having a well trained dog enlist some help. By the sounds of things it's a a Labrador (or Drahthaar) I'm looking for. I'm assuming they're good with frigid water? I'll have to look into trial and bench, breeding is not something I'm familiar with yet.

If a dog flushes a bunny and I don't shoot it, is it hard to train it to flush it back to me and not chase it for it's self? This is why I want to familiarize myself with hunting techniques before I decide to get a dog. I want to know what I can expect from a dog. This will be my first purpose dog, and I want to know if we can work together before I get one.
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Absolutely no comparison between the breeds. Talk to breeders of both and and discuss your experience, what kind of hunting you are into, etc. Buying a hunting dog is a long term, expensive commitment and you cannot spend too much time or effort getting it right.
 
I was also in your shoes 2-3 years ago. Growing up my family always had labs, but when I decided to find my own I had a hard time finding a kennel that breed for hunting. This lead me to the Drahthaar. They are breed for hunting first and have strict testing that insures the only the best are breed. I just picked up my second Drahthaar. I hunt grouse, pheasant, duck, goose and am working on cats/coons. Mine is also used for on the trapline. If you have any questions shot them my way and ill try to answer or point you to someone that can.
 
There are about thirty breeds specifically developed for what you have in mind. They are called the "versatile" breeds. they originate in Europe a couple hundred years ago. A few breeders in North America are just catching on to the concept, and promote pointing labs, labradoodles and such. A retriever is not a versatile breed. A flushing spaniel is not a versatile breed. Versatile breeds were developed to do it all - point upland birds, retrieve on land and water, hunt fur and feathers, track on land and water. There are some good hunting bloodlines in a few of the versatile breeds that register with the CKC or AKC, but I personally would not buy one. I have more confidence in the breeds with their own hunting tests and a breed warden to authorize breedings. Drathaars are good, as are some Pudelpointers, most Large Munsterlanders, and a few German Shorthairs that have not been ruined by the show ring or too focused on field trial competitions.
The Versatile Hunting Dog Federation and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association are two organizations that promote, test performance and regulate breeding of the Versatile Hunting Dog breeds. Your odds of getting a good dog will be far better with breeders who are a member of one of those two organizations compared to a breeder belonging to a show or "other" breed association.
The NAVHDA green book is the best little manual I have ever come across for training the versatile hunting dog. If you only get one training book, that's the best one. It's available n line from their website.
 
I have a Black Lab, would not trade her for the world, very easy to train, they are Always willing to learn and are not afraid of water ... and she fetches rabbits too. As for training there are a few books out there some you-tubing, there was even a show on tv (outdoors channel) that helped. Once I got started and the dog and I had common ground together it wasn't hard but a training caller with some good range is essential.
 
More ducks than upland = labrador retriever...

More upland than ducks = springer spaniel...

But there are dozens of breeds that can accommodate your needs... a big question will be, do you want to hunt upland at a flushing pace, or at a pointing pace? Also, breed personality is a huge key to success... you need a dog that "you" can get along with.

For books, get "Training Spaniels and Retrievers," by Kenneth C. Roebuck.
 
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