The Best Upland Bird Hunting Dogs
Breeding and Training Setters, Pointers, Spaniels - Good Bird Dogs
Apr 8, 2009
A great deal of planning and work precede the moment when the hunter arrives in the field with a well-trained bird dog. Selecting the right breed, procuring a pup from a good breeder, and training the pup appropriately take a lot of commitment. The result, however, is well worth the expense, effort, and time.
Popular Hunting Dog Breeds
Some of the top choices for bird dogs are English Setters, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers (also known as Deutche Drahthaars), Labrador Retrievers, and American Water Spaniels.
English Setters are elegant sporting dogs with long, flat coats of white flecked with black, tan, or orange. They are energetic, loveable, and affectionate, making them good family dogs as well as good hunters. As with all hunting breeds, they need plenty of attention and outdoor exercise. The breed is vigorous and healthy, and the dogs range from about 50 to 65 pounds.
German Shorthaired Pointers are strong, versatile hunting dogs. They are very intelligent and learn quickly, but they need a lot of outdoor space and must spend time with people. The German Shorthaired Pointer will trail, point, and retrieve on land or water. They can range in weight from 45 to 70 pounds, and require regular grooming.
German Wirehaired Pointers (Deutsche Drahthaars) are much like the shorthair in hunting abilities, size, and intelligence. The wiry coat makes them a good choice for hunting in heavy cover. This dog is an affectionate companion that also needs to be with people.
Labrador Retrievers are popular companion dogs as well as hunters. They may be black, chocolate, or yellow in coat color. This gentle-mouthed, intelligent dog excels in obedience trials. From 55 to 80 pounds, Labrador Retrievers are very energetic and require a great deal of exercise, attention, and room. A determined Lab can escape over or under almost any fence, and they can dig up a suburban backyard in short order.
American Water Spaniels were developed for inland fowling, especially duck hunting. They are excellent hunters, and they are also good family dogs. Energetic and determined in character, they require obedience training. They are a healthy and vigorous breed with few health problems, but their ears should be checked regularly for burrs, ticks, or infection. American Water Spaniels are from 25 to 45 pounds in weight, with a dense, curly, dark brown coat.
Buy Dogs from Reputable Breeders
Taking the time to do careful research on breeders will pay off in a healthy dog that develops into a good hunting companion. The offspring of healthy animals with good temperament and desirable hunting behaviors will be more likely to display the same traits. Although hunters may wish to purchase a dog that is born at a certain time of year in order to have the pup at the ideal training stage when bird season arrives, buying a pup from desired parents is of more importance.
Proper Dog Training Yields Rewards
An excellent manual on dog training is Jerome B. Robinson’s, The Ultimate Guide to Bird Dog Training, (The Lyons Press, 2000). When the hunter has selected a breed that matches his desires, purchased the animal from a reputable breeder, and invested time and patient effort in training, he will have built a relationship that is incredibly rewarding. The dog and master become a hunting team that will spend many golden, companionable hours together in the years to come.
