hybridcx
Offline
Chromer
Profile Status:
Reged: 09/26/04
Posts: 761
Loc: washington
|
|
i am completley new to this bird hunting area. but i really want to get into duck as well as pheasant mainly. my question is this do i need to get a bird dog if so what breed, also i have always wanted a boxer but i donot believe they are at all bird dogs , can you train any dog to retrieve birds and if so is there a book i could research on i just don't want to rush into it i want to know the best rought thanks in advance
|
JimW
Offline
Duck freek
Profile Status:
Reged: 09/15/03
Posts: 1288
Loc: port orchard WA
|
|
Hi hybridcx welcome to steelheader,
Well first I would say get you a good lab, I personaly believe that you should have a dog for ducks, My opinion though. the beast IMO is labs but to each there own if you get a pup I would recomend you get the 10 minute retriever by John and amy Dahl its a very help full book and will help you greatly. I like labs because they can doo it all for me Retrieve ducks and phesant and they can flush out or point how ever you train them. as for the boxer I wouldnt think so they could be traind I emagein but I would go there my self good luck and again Welcome Jim
--------------------
In memory of Floyd M. Wright; Nov 3 1925 - Oct 8 2007. you were the greatest, I love you Dad.
|
navyrick
Offline
steelie
Profile Status:
Reged: 10/25/04
Posts: 200
Loc: Lacey.WA
|
|
I agree with the Lab idea... Mine is almost five years old and she is great retriever with a good nose. She lives in an apartment with me, my wife, and two kids so is also an awesome family member. Best part yet is my wife doesn't object to being my second favorite female as long as the dog is around...or at least thats what she tells me LOL!!!
--------------------
Always be a man of your word...
Say what you'll do...
Then do what you say.
These are the best words of advice ever given to me by my father
|
BennyBlack
Offline
steelie
Profile Status:
Reged: 07/17/04
Posts: 179
Loc: Spanawania
|
|
I once knew this guy who used his Rott as a retriever.
Get a lab. Preferably black. That's just me though.
If you want one for dual roles with all the potential, do the research and spend the money.
Welcome aboard.
--------------------
It's a Chum, you can tell by the eye's.
-Me
|
Musicman
Offline
Thick Tail
Profile Status:
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 7296
Loc: Roy
|
|
I have a yellow lab and a boxer......totally different dogs....my lab would be a great bird dog, obedient and can brave the elements....my boxer is playful, wants to please and is a weenie when it comes to getting wet or cold...a labs thick coat is great for getting in the thick stuff or water...she'll jump in the creek behind our house at 35 degrees and it protects her when she jumps in the thick brush around our house. The boxer won't go in the brush and stays out of the water. Both are great dogs....get a lab.
--------------------
JD
|
Sealark
Offline
egg
Profile Status:
Reged: 09/27/04
Posts: 3
Loc: Kenmore, WA
|
|
Hello hybridcx -
I am also new to steelheader, but I have been hunting ducks in the area for many years. Unless you hunt from a boat you must have a dog. Even with a boat, it's great to have a dog to help find downed birds in thick cover and recover cripples.
As far as dogs go, you have to decide what birds you are going after. Spaniels and such make great pheasant dogs, but can not take the cold and wet required for ducks. So I would have to agree with the others - for an all purpose dog and great family dog,it is hard to beat the labs.
An old, but good book for training retrievers is "Water Dog", by Richard Wolters
--------------------
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn
out and loudly proclaiming... WOW! What a ride!" - anonymous
|
cupo
Offline
cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
Profile Status:
Reged: 12/26/01
Posts: 2233
Loc: speeding on 530
|
|
It depends on what kind of terrain you will be hunting. In many/most ag field hunting situations there isn't much chance for lost birds. If you will be on tideflats or close to heavy cover then a dog will definitely help in finding birds.
--------------------
This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
|
BobK
Offline
Thick Tail
Profile Status:
Reged: 07/17/03
Posts: 2139
Loc: Upstate NY, Lake Ontario Tribs
|
|
Both the ducks and pheasants are notorious for requiring a retriever. Besides, a Lab (or Chessie or Golden) also make great flushing dogs for pheasants. Besides, watching a good dog makes the best half of the hunt experience!
BobK  
|
hybridcx
Offline
Chromer
Profile Status:
Reged: 09/26/04
Posts: 761
Loc: washington
|
|
so i got my dog a chocolate papered lab know i kneed to know what to do to train it hes 8 weeks old and i need books movies anything knowlageable on how i should approch this to achieve the best results also how old until he can go into the field ?? please any help would be great
|
steelheader63
Offline
xylophone grouper
Profile Status:
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 152
Loc: tacoma, wa.
|
|
while you're looking for the info, start now on basic obedience, sit and stay, heel, no, goodboy, simple one word commands. stay consistant and don't change those words. the sooner he learns all that the easier the rest will be. some say just praise, but praise and little dog treats work good and won't fill him up too fast. you can stop the treats after he's a pro if you want. i took my dog along on a duck hunt when he was really small. could barely make it through the tall grass on the way. well he smelled something familiar and followed it, and up came a hen pheasant! it was very cool. first, make sure he's not gun shy if you take him in the field young though. good luck and have fun!
--------------------
if you don't fish, you aint sh@
|
hybridcx
Offline
Chromer
Profile Status:
Reged: 09/26/04
Posts: 761
Loc: washington
|
|
he has already gone clay shooting with us he is not gun shy at all
|
JimW
Offline
Duck freek
Profile Status:
Reged: 09/15/03
Posts: 1288
Loc: port orchard WA
|
|
10 minute retriever
by John and amy Dahl
--------------------
In memory of Floyd M. Wright; Nov 3 1925 - Oct 8 2007. you were the greatest, I love you Dad.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
