I Had a Harder Problem Than Most As Charlie Was a Rescue Dog

Every person who has ever brought home a small puppy has been faced with the same problem, naming him. Some people have a name chosen long before they find the puppy, while others will simply sleep on it but in the end the puppy is named and officially becomes a part of the family. I had a even harder job with Charlie asd he had a name when i got him, but the rescue kennel never tells you what it is.
While the goal is to have your gundog become a part of your family, choosing a name for your hunting dog or dogs can be a bit more involved than simply assigning a name. There are a number of factors that should come into play and you should really take the time to think about them before you choose a name.

When it comes to names, there are actually two different names that you are going to want to think about; the call name and the registered name. Generally, when you purchase a hunting dog, many people will purchase from registered hunting dogs. This means that they are trying to find the best dogs they can and they will also be registering their dogs with the local kennel club.

While a registered name can be just about anything, there are a few things you should consider. First and foremost is how that name is going to sound. Will you be embarrassed by it or proud to have a dog by that name? If the dog is only going to be used for hunting and nothing else, then the name isn’t going to matter but if you are going to be training your dog in field trials or you are going to be breeding your hunting dog, then you will want a strong name that you don’t mind having associated with your kennel.

One common practice for hunting dogs is to use part of the dam’s or sire’s registered name for the puppy’s registered name. Generally, a female will have her dam’s or other females in her pedigree, name or combination of the name. For males, it would be the sire’s or subsequent males in the pedigree. Take one or two names from the parents and combine them with a name that you like. This will usually create an excellent registered name and then you can forget about it until it is time for breeding or assigning a title to your hunting dog.

One last thing about registered names, it doesn’t have to match or even have anything to do with your call name. You can have a registered dog called Turner’s Savage Hunter and his call name could simply be Joe; the registered name is for identifying your dog in a large kennel but the call name is something that will really show his personality.

Now that we have looked at the registered name, let’s look at the call names. As I have already said, this is the name that will really define the dog’s personality and will give the dog character. This is the name that you will use both in the field and in the house so there are a few points that you will want to consider before choosing your name.

First, never choose a name from a Hunting Dog Name list, unless it is one you can see using. While these lists are fun to look at, not all of them really take into consideration what a dog’s name should be like in the field. They are purely for looks, sort of speaking, and usually they don’t serve as a good functioning name.

Second, find a name that you like and one that you won’t have a problem saying in front of people. While naming the dog, Nimrod, may appease your interest in ancient mythology, it might be a bit embarrassing to say in a group of other hunters.

Third, make sure the name only has one or two syllables. This makes saying the name much easier on the field and it is more likely to roll off the tongue much easier. A name that is more advanced with three or more syllables takes too long to say and can be annoying in the field.

Lastly, make sure it doesn’t sound similar to a command that you will use in the field. Remember you will be giving those commands from a distance and if the dog is unsure whether you are saying their name or giving a command, he won’t perform to the best of his ability.

After those points, it is simply a matter of choosing a name that you enjoy and one that suits your dog. If you are naming a group of hunting dogs, make sure that each dog has a name that is distinct from the other so there is no confusion. Tom, Dick and Harry may not be the most original but there is no way that they sound the same.

I Just adore Young Gundog Puppies

In an early post, I have talked about how performing a health check on a puppy and I looked at things to look for when you are purchasing a puppy. Today, I would like to talk about how to actually select a gundog puppy to ensure that you have a greater chance of choosing the best possible puppy from the litter.

Before I get into those points, however, I would like to mention a few things. First and foremost, when you are deciding on a puppy it is important that you really decide on a breed and that you know the breed. While I offer a lot of information about dog breeds here, I always stress the importance of meeting a breed in person and seeing it in action. The reason for this is because some breeds look amazing on paper but in person, you might find that you clash with the breed.

Once you have researched and chosen your breed, it is time to start looking for a breeder. My general rule of thumb is that choosing a good gundog puppy will take about 6 to 12 months from start to finish.

Depending on your breed, you might find yourself on a long waiting list and it can take over a year to get a puppy in your preferred breed from your preferred breeder, especially if it is a rare breed, so be prepared to wait.

When you are looking for a breeder there are a few things to be aware of.

1. Make sure the breeder is breeding field dogs. Some breeds have seen a branch off from their original use and it is not uncommon to find a breeder that only breeds show quality dogs. This isn’t to say that the show quality can’t be used in the field but many hunters have found that they get better gundog puppies when they purchase from field bred dogs.

2. All the health clearances should be done. This means hips, elbows and eyes should be checked and cleared and a health check should be done prior to breeding. If the breeder doesn’t do clearances, then run; don’t walk, away from that breeder.

3. Find a breeder that is knowledgeable. Since you are looking for a gundog puppy, the best way to find one is to find a breeder that is knowledgeable in that area. Try to find one that actually hunts or, at the very least, competes in various field or hunt competitions. These are the breeders that are going to answer your questions and they will also lay the foundation in the puppies to ensure they create amazing gundogs.

4. Choose the picky breeder. Most people, when they meet a picky breeder, often feel very frustrated by the process. They often wonder why they need to fill in questionnaires and why they need to give a pint of blood as well, okay, I might be exaggerating on the latter but if your breeder isn’t picky, then they probably aren’t going to invest that much into their puppies to begin with.

Once you have a breeder and the litter is on the ground, it will be time to choose your puppy. To do this, you will want to first assess what you want in your gundog. Do you want it to be independent? Do you want it to be a dominant with other dogs? When you know the type of dog you want, you can get a clearer idea of the puppy you should choose. Even if you aren’t sure, there are few tips below that will help you choose a puppy.

1. Look for balance: When you go to see the puppies, take the time to observe them in motion. Look for the dog that has good proportion and has fairly good balance for its age. Generally, if you wait until the puppies are about 7 weeks old, you can get a good idea of how it will look as an adult. Find the puppy that has the closest attributes to what you are looking for.

2. Watch the puppies interact: It is often surprising to many people that puppies as young as 6 weeks old have their own hierarchy but it is true. There are more dominant dogs in the litter and more submissive. Watch the puppies playing together and determine how the hierarchy is arranged. From there you can choose a dog according to what you are looking for.

3. Determine their interest: Some gundog breeders will expose their puppies to birds before they leave their home but try to assess how the puppies react to things like that. Bring a toy or dummy and toss it into the litter, make sure it is off to the side. Watch the puppies that show an interest in it since these are usually the puppies that have more hunting instincts.

4. Check to see if they are healthy: Lastly, when you have narrowed your gundog puppy down to one or two puppies, do a health check. You can follow our health check or you can ask your vet for a sample health check.

Choosing a gundog puppy can be fairly easy and it is important to make the final decision based on everything I mentioned as well as your gut instinct. If for any reason a puppy just doesn’t sit well with you, then don’t purchase it. In addition, make sure you really take the advice of the breeder since they will often know the puppies much better than you can in one visit and will point you in the direction of the best dog.

At The Moment Me And Ron Are Filming A Video For Training Your Gundog Puppy From Start To Finish, For More Info

Click Here Gundog Training

Good German Shorthaired Pointer Gundog Breeders And Sometimes More Difficult to find

One question that is often asked by many potential dog owners is “Where do I find a breeder?”

This may seem like an easy question to answer since you can simply open up a newspaper or even a website page and find a dozen breeders for any type of breed. The problem with this method is that it is really difficult to find the breeder that fits your needs.

Obviously, if you are reading this, you are probably at the point where you have selected the breed that you want and are interested in finding the best breeder for it. Before you do that, make sure that the breed is really the right fit for you.

Research its history, breed characteristics and health concerns and also research whether the breed has distinct differences between their field dogs and their conformation dogs. As surprising as it may be, some breeders have changed the breeds significantly so that a “bench” or conformation dog may not do as well as a gundog as a puppy that is bred from field dogs.

If your chosen dog breed has differences between show and field, it is time to start researching your breeders. Before I get into where to find the breeders, I want you to be aware of several points before you start searching so you can eliminate some breeders without putting too much time into them.

Questions to ask:

What do they breed for?

If the breeder tends to focus on show quality dogs, then chances are they are not going to have a lot of field dogs to choose from. Yes, occasionally they will produce an excellent dog but for the most part they are breeding for conformation and looking for the traits of a perfect conformation dog.

What groups are they part of?

Another thing to check when you are searching for a good gundog breeder is the groups they belong to. Breeders are usually a part of the national kennel club, and a breed club but there may be hunting clubs, gundog association and field groups that will alert you to the fact of whether they are interested in producing quality gundogs.

How do they work their dogs?

If you are looking for a good gundog, then you are going to want to find a puppy that has gundogs in its pedigree. When you are researching a gundog breeder, make sure that they are using their dogs for hunting and other field work. If they are only using the dogs for showing or for nothing at all, then they may not be aware of the considerations needed to produce quality gundogs.

Do their dogs have health clearances?

Although this has nothing to do with gundog specifically, you should make sure that the breeder gets health clearances for their dogs before breeding. If they don’t have clearances, then don’t go with that breeder.

Are they picky?

This may seem like a strange point to check on but I have found that the pickier a breeder is about the homes his puppies go to, the better the puppies are. It shows a general love for gundogs and also that they want the best for the puppies they produce. Some breeders of gun dogs will not sell to anyone that won’t be using the dog for hunting purposes and this can also be a great sign of a good gundog breeder.

Now that you have asked those questions, let’s look at places to look for a reputable gundog breeder.

The first place that you should really check is the breed clubs. Many of the clubs offer a listing of breeders and it is a great way to narrow down your choice. Some have websites and others don’t so do not be deterred if the breeder doesn’t. Simply contact him by other means and ask to set up a meeting or to receive pictures of his dogs both in the field and at home.

If the breed club doesn’t seem to have a large list, I would recommend looking into a gundog association. There are several and many of them list breeders of various gundog breeders who are also members. Focus on the active members and on the ones that are working their dogs in the field.

Another great place to find a reputable breeder is by attending field trials and hunt tests. It is important to remember that this is not a family outing when you go to a field trial. Everyone who is there is working so don’t bring your children and make sure that you don’t bother the people who are working their dogs or getting them ready for working. Instead, focus on the people watching since many of them are breeders or know of reputable breeders. If you want a good recommendation for a breeder, talk to the people who own quality gundogs because they are going to know where to look.

When you are choosing a gundog breeder it is important to find one that works his dogs and only produces between one and three litters per year. Once you have found one, get references and contact people who have purchased dogs from him. Do a web search to determine if there are any disputes with him and check around in the gundog community.

If everything checks out, then you have found a reputable gundog breeder.

Spending Time To Get To Know Your Gundog Is So Important.

But until your gundog is trained well enough that you can go hunting with him can be a long ways off and there is a lot to do in the meantime.

Before you launch yourself into training, it is important that you take the time to get to know your gundog and to start making a one to one connection with him. Remember that when you get into the field, you will want to be able to read your dog from the distance and you will also want him to have such a connection to you that he listens immediately to your command. Having a gundog that won’t listen in the field can be dangerous to the dog since he could be injured, especially if you are using live rounds.

Getting to know your gundog starts from the minute that you arrive home with him. It is important to take time to simply observe your puppy. Answer personality questions about your gundog puppy. Is he timid? Does he charge right into something new? Does he explore? Many puppies show their personalities at a young age and you can start to discern how your dog will react to new experiences and even training.

Another great reason to observe your puppy and later on your gundog is to learn his cues. All dogs have cues and you can pick up on them very quickly. My black Labrador Retriever will begin to creep when he is about to head off to get into something. Once I see the creeping, it is a firm indicator to me that he is planning something that isn’t good, such as sneaking to the bathroom toilet or stealing tissues out of the waste basket, and I can head him off at the pass. Other cues that you can get from your dog is when he needs to go out, when he is scared or when he is excited.

Being able to read your dog will aid you in training and working your dog. Observing your dog will allow you to learn his personality and also what motivates him and what doesn’t. So in a sense, observation is a great way to get to know your dog.

While you are getting to know your dog, it is important that your dog can get to know you. This will actually aid you in training and will ensure that you are making a one to one connection with your dog.

One of the best ways to make a connection with your dog is to be the primary caregiver for your dog. Make sure that all of his needs are taken care of and that you provide him with water, food, play time, exercise and quiet time. Interactions do not need to be in the form of play and a quiet period where you are simply stroking his back can be a great way to make a one on one connection.

What all of these interactions are teaching your dog is that you are the alpha in the pack. The leader that will ensure all of his needs are being taken care of. In this role, you will need to establish trust. You can do this through providing firm rules that both you and the dog will follow. It is also important to nurture the trust through positive reinforcement and firm, but not harsh, corrections. Don’t hit your dog or abuse it in anyway and only use a firm “no” when you are correcting behaviour.

One of the main areas where you will find yourself making a one to one connection with your dog is through training. I have seen this time and time again and the person who trains the dog is usually the person who the dog has the strongest connection to. For this reason, I always promote owners training their own dogs but I also recommend that you get the advice and or aid of a professional gundog trainer, especially if you have never trained a gundog before.

When you are training your dog, use positive reinforcement and never give a command twice. Also, make sure that your dog has clear ideas of when a command starts and when it ends.

Personally, I use the command “release” to indicate that training has finished and the dog can relax and just be a dog. I also use “watch” to get a dog to re-establish his connection during training. To do this, you simply hold the bait near your face so he is watching your face, you may have to move the bait near his face and then up to your own to do this. Once he makes eye contact, say “Watch,” and then treat. As your dog grows to understand the command, you can stop treating and “watch” tells your dog that even with a connection, you want him to pay attention.

Remember that when you are making a connection with your dog that you do so in a positive manner and you continue to get to know your dog and build on that connection throughout your dog’s life.

As you probably know there are quite a few gundog breeds. The most popular gundog is the Labrador Retriever.

All breeds have their fans, as do I but today I will try to give you a quick overview of a sometimes overlooked breed. Pointers.

There are loads of breeds of pointer gundog, they include the following:

Spinone Italiano

The Spinone Italiano breed goes by many names, including Italian Wire Haired Pointing Dog, Spinone, and Italian Griffon, The breed is big and strong and is also known for its intelligent looking eyes. Like the Labrador it is a excellent swimmer and a excellent hunting dog whatever the terrane or temperature.

Weimaraner

These dogs are athletic, sleek and usually have short, fine hair. There are long haired types though. They have intelligent amber, grey, or blue-grey eyes. Their limbs and bodies are muscular and long, with webbed feet. Weimaraners are very skilled hunters, trackers, retrievers and pointers, they are also used for police and search and rescue work.

American Brittany

The American Brittany dogs build makes them adaptable to woods, or hills, as well as cold or damp weather. They excel at hunting particularly hare and woodcock they are also tireless in the field. They are medium sized with a short coat, hazel or amber eyes, with short ears. The coat is orange and white, black and white or liver and white.

German Shorthaired

The German Shorthaired Pointer breed is known for its lean build. It has a clean cut appearance and intelligent, brown eyes. They are smart and eager-to-please with loads of energy. They love children and are loyal to their families

Vizsla

Another sleek breed with light red coat and excellent muscular build. Its face is lean with long pendant ears and light eyes. The coat is short and tight, displaying its defined body. They are loving dogs that display affection easily and often.

English Pointer

The English Pointer dog breed does better in a warm environments and is more comfortable on land rather than in water. It is a beautiful dog known for its powerful grace. The dog carries itself proudly being constantly alert. English pointers are athletic, with a high nose, chestnut or hazel eyes, medium-sized ears, and have a long neck.

Other types of Pointers include: Pudelpointer, Wiredhaired Pointer, Griffon and Munsterlander.

A great blog with loads of information on all breeds of gun dog visit http://www.the-hunting-dog.com/breeds-of-dogs.html and let me know what you think