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Jesse's Hunting > A Gun Dog's Life > Articles > Picking a Gun Dog
Picking a Gun Dog
Bryce Mann - JHO ProStaff
- Sierra Foothills, CA
February 06, 2008
Bird Hunting with Style
Here's an example of a bird-dog Cadillac, making the retrieve with style. |
Seems that about this time each year I get questions from people who have been out a couple of times shooting over their buddies’ gun dogs and have caught on to the idea of owning one of their own. The first thing I ask is if they have a particular breed in mind.
Most have an idea because of their previous experience. Some (most) have hunted with retrievers which trudge on through water and mud to return their owners’ quarry of waterfowl. Others have ventured to the upland, sometimes with the same hunting dog they previously hunted with for ducks. Labradors when properly trained can be very efficient hunters in the upland and for waterfowl.
They quickly find out the Labs move very fast in the upland and the same goes for all of the flushing breeds, they must be kept within 25 yards of the hunter. Keep in mind that when pheasant hunting the pheasant will rise straight up with a rapid wing-beat that propels them 10 to 15 feet into the air before they begin to attain lateral flight. The time lapse between this rise and foreword motion to a distance of about 15 yards is very close to one and a half seconds. This is approximately the same amount of time it takes most hunters to stop walking, mount the gun, acquire the target, and make their shot.
Now put this all together. If the dog finds and flushes the bird at 25 yards, add in the 15 yards of lateral flight he attains while you are busy getting a bead on him, and he is now 40 yards from the gun. This is a bit of a reach, depending on the gauge and choke of the gun. What all of this means is good control of the fast moving flushing dog is essential in keeping the birds within the operational range of the gun. Other flushing breeds most often seen in the field include the Springer Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and Golden Retriever.
Now sometimes I hear, “I hunted at the pheasant club with my friend’s dog and it was a pointer. Is that a better choice?”
My usual response goes something like this. You can go to the grocery store in a Corvette or you can go there in a Cadillac. Both cars will get you to the store. One gets you there real fast, and one gets there in a whole lot of style.
Pointing breeds such as the English Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Wirehairs often work fast and far, but, if trained properly; they will hold the bird found and pointed on the ground until the hunter covers the distance to the dog. The hunter makes the flush, not the dog. This puts the gun very close to the bird.
There are many pointing breeds, including the different breeds of setters. Many of the setters seem a bit slower in pace, and seem to lope along, but they look very flashy on point. Trained pointing breeds often will stop a running bird and keep wild flushes to a minimum.
There are no wrong answers to the question of which breed of dog to consider. You must first pick which style of upland hunting suits you best, flusher or pointer? After this choice is made then read the breed standards for the different breeds into which group you have chosen. Look for size, temperament, and general abilities. Then ask around of your hunting buddies, or better yet, seek the advice of a professional trainer. The professionals will most likely be able to recommend a breeder and set up a demo. Make the most informed decision possible. Keep in mind that all dog owners have the “best dog,” and if I have not mentioned your favorite breed please do not be offended. I simply mentioned a few breeds which are often encountered in the field.
Over the years, I have worked with many breeds of dogs… training them for both upland game and waterfowl. There is no time better spent than a day spent with good friends and a fine gun dog.
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