Labs Can Make The Best Duck Dogs

What is Duck Tolling?

Although many in the hunting world may not be familiar with the term duck tolling, most people who have hunted ducks are aware of just how curious these feathered creatures truly are.  Ducks are a very curious creature and hunters for centuries have used a variety of lures to bring a duck into a trap and that is basically what duck tolling is.

Generally, duck tolling is done when a hunter is using a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. These small reddish dogs are amazing retrievers but they also have the added bonus of using their playfulness for hunting, much like foxes do.

Hunters, in turn, use these dogs to set traps for ducks and this is where duck tolling comes into play with gundogs.  When a gundog, or specifically a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, is used in this capacity, the dog is encouraged to play on the edges of the lake.

As he plays, his coat, which is red with a few patches of white, flashes in the sunlight and creates a luring effect for the ducks.  While the dog is playing, the hunter can be hidden in a blind waiting for the ducks to come closer.  Eventually, the ducks will swim closer to the shore to get a better look at what was attracting their interest.

When they do, the hunter is able to shoot the birds before they have even lifted off the lake and the gundog is able to retrieve the fallen birds for the hunter.

While this may seem like a strange way to hunt, many who have worked with the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever find it to be a wonderful and entertaining way to duck hunt and it presents a number of challenges for both the dog and the handler.

In short, duck tolling is a unique trait for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and it has been adapted to reflect the ever-changing terrain of duck hunting.

Our DVD is Avaliable from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

I Was hoping to give you a video of sam on his first duck shoot this week but due to a few training issues in the last week, i have got a film of a similar aged labrador which is retreiving some ducks.

Even though 10-12 months is to early to be taking dogs shooting on proper shoots you can introduce them to some duck, will show you sam in the next few weeks, for more on sams training go to hunting dog training

That brings us to this weeks topic of what makes a good duck shooting gundog

Like many other types of gundogs, there really is no mystery about what that gundog is used for. A goose or duck-shooting gundog is one, in simple terms, that is used for hunting goose and duck.

Of course, there is never juts a simple explanation and I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t get into it a bit more than simply stating the obvious. In general, a duck or goose-shooting gundog is a gundog that can work on both land and water. This is the dog that can sit with you as you wait patiently for the ducks or goose and it is a dog that does not start at the sudden gunfire that can occur during a duck hunt.

In addition, the goose/duck shooting gundog is one that doesn’t become overly excited as the birds fly overhead and takes off in pursuit of them.

With a goose/duck shooting gundog, your gundog will sit patiently in the blind or wherever you are sitting until you give the command to retrieve the birds that you have shot. The dog will then go into the water or wherever the bird landed and will retrieve it.

If a bird is crippled, but not dead, the dog will quickly retrieve it and bring it back for you to dispatch it humanely. A goose/duck shooting gundog is conditioned and trained to pick up these types of wildfowl and they are comfortable in their role on the shoot.

As I have mentioned in an earlier post, there are so many terms that a new hunter or sports person needs to learn and at times it can be overwhelming. The all round gun dog is another term that most people starting out are unaware of and it is definitely one that you should know before you purchase your first gundog puppy.

Generally, when you choose a new puppy or even a breed of dog, you will look for a gundog that can do specific things. If you are interested in training the retriever, then you will choose a breed that retrieves and if you want a dog that will point, than a pointing breed is the obvious choice.

While that way of choosing a dog can take you a long way, one of the most important questions that you can ask yourself is, what do I want to hunt? Some breeds are good for hunting water fowl, some are good for upland game, and others are excellent for hunting predators such as raccoons and opossums. If your answer is that you want a dog that will hunt all of those thigns, then what you want is an All Round gun dog.

But what is an all round gundog?

It is simple. It is a versatile hunting dog that can be used to hunt a range of prey from birds to predators. These dogs can function in a range of roles in the field and for this reason; they are equipped to work with their handler regardless of the quarry.

All round gun dogs are dogs that can track prey, point at it and when the time comes, they can retrieve it for their handler. In addition, these dogs are adept at working on both land and water and do equally well in both situations. They can usually handle a large range of terrain, whether it is rough or not, and they have the energy to work throughout the hunting trip.

While all breeds have the potential to be an all round gun dog, it does not a large amount of training and there are some breeds that are better suited to being all round gun dogs than others. Some excellent all round gun dog breeds are Brittany, German Wirehaired Pointer and the Boykin Spaniel

But I think most gundog experts will agree that a Labrador Retriever takes some beating, at present we are training sam to be a all round gundog each week we film Ron putting him through his paces and filming each session

To find out more on this training go to Weekly Gundog Training

You can train your Gundog as a picker Upper, To start with.

When you are first introduced to gundogs and all the activities that you can do with gundogs, it can be a little overwhelming. Before we even look at training, there is the selection of the puppies, and then there is understand a dozen or more terms for the whole sport of retrieving, flushing and hunting game, be it water fowl or game birds.

With as much training that needs to be done with the dogs, it is not surprising that the handlers will need to do a lot of training themselves and will need to become accustomed to what will happen when they finally go out in the field with their dogs.

But that is probably why you are here and while I can overwhelm you with a dozen or so terms, today I am going to talk about what a picker-upper bird dog is for.

This is a term that you will hear a lot as you train and work with your dogs and there are a few different variations to the term such as picking up, and picker up. Basically, a picker upper is a dog that is used to pick up any birds that were felled outside of the main action.

Picker uppers are also used to find wounded birds so that they can be dispatched quickly and humanely. While there are always a group of dogs at a shoot, there are usually roles assigned to each one and each dog is given a certain task.

While a dog can go and retrieve the birds from the main action, it is better for all if they are focused only on their certain task. Basically, at a shoot you will have one or two (or sometimes more depending on the number of dogs and handlers) who are sitting back away from the main action. Whenever a bird is shot, the handlers determine if it is in their arc or if it has flown out too far for their dog to retrieve.

If it is the latter, the picker upper bird dog will be directed to retrieve the felled bird and bring it back in.

Picking up is not a task that a newly trained dog or inexperienced handler should have. These dogs need to be well trained so that they aren’t getting distracted by the main action and are not breaking commands to get where all the fun is. These are the dogs that will sit and wait and only be used when necessary so good control and knowledge is a must for a picker upper and their handler to have.

And that is all there is to a picker upper bird dog. While it may not seem like a big task for your dog, picker uppers have proved themselves as a valuable part of a good shooting team time and time again.

If You Want To Go Further With Your Training Why Not Follow Our Weekly Training Videos Find Out More At Gundog Training

Goldern retrivers Are Great Gun Dogs As Well As Surfing Partners

If you are looking for an excellent hunting dog that is a ray of sunshine as well, then you are probably going to luck out with the Golden Retriever. These dogs are friendly, devoted and gentle. They rarely exhibit any aggression and usually gets along with everyone; dogs, people, and even cats.
They are an ideal family dog since they are so dedicated to those in their family unit and they have a good deal of patience and they are very intelligent. This intelligence is what makes them such a good retriever to use in the field and is the reason behind their use as therapy and guide dogs, along with many other jobs.
The Golden Retriever is very easy to train and while they work hard, they tend to approach it in a playful manner. They often have a kind expression on their face and are considered one of the more beautiful gundogs with their distinctive coat in varying shades of gold.
While the Golden Retriever is not the dog for everyone, there is a certain humor in them that makes them a real joy to watch in the field.
Pro’s and con’s of owning a Pudelpointer

Like the Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever is one of the more popular dog breeds in North America. They are usually very gentle and happy and have many good traits that make them a wonderful addition to any home but there are also many traits that are a definite con for the breed. It is important that you understand the Golden Retriever completely before you purchase one and that you never purchase a Golden Retriever simply because it is a popular breed.

The Pro’s

Like all dog breed, there are a number of pros when you look at a Golden Retriever.

• They make excellent family dogs and do very well with children, although they may not be the best for young children since they can be very rowdy.
• They are very friendly and will usually accept everyone.
• Golden Retrievers are very athletic and enjoy being at work in the field.
• They do not have a lot of aggression problems and will usually do well in a home with multiple pets.
• While they do better in a home with a large yard, they can adapt to other living such as in apartments.
• They are usually very easy to train since they are eager to please.

The Con’s

Again, although the Golden Retriever is an excellent hunting and family dog, there are a number of cons that potential owners should take into consideration before they purchase a Golden Retriever puppy.

• Golden Retrievers have a large number of hereditary health issues. It is very important to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder to reduce the risk of these problems.
• They are very energetic and require about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day.
• They are regular shedders but there are periods in the year where they are heavy shedders.
• They require regular grooming, usually once to twice a week and daily during periods when they are “blowing” their coat.
• Golden Retrievers are extremely mouthy. They will chew different objects and may nip at hands.
• They can suffer from separation anxiety when they are left alone for long periods of time.
• They are usually very rowdy, especially when young and will jump up on children and adults alike. In addition, they mature very slowly so they will have the nature of a puppy even as adults.

Health Issues:

The Golden Retriever, like the Labrador Retriever, is a very popular dog and has experienced a lot of problems with backyard breeding and puppy mills. For this reason and other improper breeding practices, the health of the Golden Retriever has declined and there are a number of hereditary health issues that can arise. To reduce the risk of purchasing a Golden Retriever with health problems, it is important that you only purchase a Golden Retriever from a reputable breeder that does all of the health screens and only uses healthy dogs in their breeding program. Health issues that have been seen in the Golden Retriever are:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Distchiasis
• Gastric Torsion
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Cataracts
• Allergies
• Epilepsy
• Osteochondritis dissecans
• Cardiomyopathy
• Osteosarcoma
• Entropion
• Cardiomyopathy
• Subvalvular aortic stenosis
• Trichiasis
• von Willebrand’s Disease

Height & Weight:

The Golden Retriever is a beautiful, large sized dog that is very distinct with a symmetrical appearance that is powerful and graceful. They have a strong head and their body should be slightly longer than they are tall with a 12:11 ratio.

The size of the Golden Retriever is:

Males: 23 to 24 inches (58 to 61 cm) tall and 65 to 75 pounds (29 to 34 kg.)
Females: 21.5 to 22.5 inches (55 to 57 cm) tall and 55 to 65 pounds (25 to 29 kg.)

Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.

Grooming:

Despite the fact that the Golden Retriever has a beautiful coat of medium to long feathered hair, they are actually quite easy to groom. The main point to consider with grooming is that it should be done on a regular basis to keep their coats healthy and free of mats.

Known as a regular shedder, there will be periods in the year when they are actually a heavy shedder. When they are blowing their undercoat, care should be taken to brush the Golden Retriever every day. At other times of the year, weekly or twice weekly brushings is enough to keep the coat free of debris.

If you are working your dog in the field, make sure that you brush out any brambles or other debris from the dog’s coat. Also pay close attention to the feet. Keep the nails trimmed and clip back any long hair from between the toes.

Since the Golden Retriever has a weather resistant undercoat, it is important to only bathe them occasionally. Once or twice a year should be enough but you should try to avoid doing it more than once a month. After a bath, make sure that the ears are clean and dry to prevent any ear infections from occurring.

Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years

History:

As surprising as it may seem to others, the Golden Retriever is actually a fairly young breed and can trace its origins back to 1864 in Scotland and to one man by the name of Lord Tweedmouth.

During that time, Lord Tweedmouth decided that he wanted to produce a new breed of hunting dog. For this reason, he combined the Tweed Water Spaniel, which was similar in appearance and temperament to a Flat Coated Retriever but was actually yellow in color instead of black with several other dog breeds. These were the Irish setter, and the Flat Coated Retriever. Through these breedings, he was able to create a dog that was beautiful and an excellent working dog.

From these puppies, the Golden Retriever breed was born and Lord Tweedmouth and his family, specifically his nephew, Lord Ilchester, continued to produce more golden Retrievers and all of the golden Retrievers can trace their pedigree back to those dogs owned by the Lord Tweedmouth and his family.

Despite having created such a breathtaking dog, the breed did not gain any public interest until 1908 when it was entered into a Kennel Club Show as a Yellow Flat Coated Retriever. At this time, interest in the “Golden Retriever,” later coined by a man named Lord Harcourt, grew and the breed can attribute much of its advancement to a Mrs. Charlesworth who became an enthusiast for the breed.

By 1911, the Golden Retriever Club was established and by 1913, the breed was recognized by the Kennel Club of England.

Grouping:

Gun Dog, AKC Sporting

Recognition:

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

For more info on goldern retrievers try the Golden Retriever Club of America

Lots Of Gundogs Are Suited To Rough Shooting, Spaniels for example

Many people who are interested in having a gundog, or are looking into getting a gundog, think of them in terms of field trials and hunt tests. I mean, isn’t that the only way that you can really work your gundog now a days. The age old, traditional use for gundogs is almost obsolete so owning and working a gundog has more to do with the competitions and trials that you can win, right?

The answer is, obviously, that gundogs can and are still being used in much the same way as they were at the beginning of the 1900’s, although a good number of them are happy family pets now.

One way to work your dog is through rough shooting. If you are not aware of it, rough shooting is when one or a group of people get together to go out shooting with their dogs. Generally, if you are out rough shooting alone, you will walk through woodlands and fields with your dog working by your side hunting for live quarry.

When you are rough shooting with a group, you form a line and walk straight ahead through the terrain. Guns should be kept at a right angle and there is always careful watch to make sure that no one is moving into a shooters line.

What rough shooting means to a gundog is simple. A gundog that is used for rough shooting should be able to work alongside his handler when there is live ammunition and quarry.

Generally, a rough shooting gundog will run ahead of the line, taking cues and commands from his handler as to where to go ahead of him. The main purpose for this is to find and flush out quarry for the shooters behind the dog.

Many different gundog breeds can be used as rough shooting gundogs but it is important that they are properly trained. In addition, any shooters that are working with the dog should also be trained to avoid any accidents.

When a rough shooting gundog flushes out a bird or rabbit, the dog should react to the command, or training and drop to the ground out of way of the shooters. This is commonly referred to as “dropping to shot.” The rough shooting gundog should remain in this position until you give the command to either retrieve the animal or you call him back.

At one time, many rough shooting enthusiasts would work with several dogs and use them for different reasons. Spaniels were very popular for flushing the quarry from hiding while the retrieving breeds were kept back and only sent forward to retrieve when the quarry was shot.

Today, you can find rough shooting dogs that are used in a similar manner but more often than not, the rough shooting gundog is trained to both flush and retrieve, making it a versatile hunting companion.

Although hunt tests and other gundog activities can be a lot of fun, it is important to decide on whether a rough shooting gundog is really right for you. Training is important for all aspects of gundog activities, but a gundog that is trained for rough shooting should be well trained and able to follow through on commands quickly.

Rough shooting can be an exciting activity and it can also be nerve wracking as you watch your dog run ahead in front of shooters. For many, the excitement pales in comparison to their worries for their dogs so make sure that you are certain that you would like a rough shooting gundog before you put the time, money and effort into training a versatile, rough shooting gundog.

Lots Of Gundogs Are Suited To Rough Shooting

Charlie my cocker is OK at flushing but would have been better if I had him before he was 14 months old. I have known Labs who excel at flushing but they must be trained young. So whatever breed you have, you need to start training the art of flushing young.

6 Steps To Train Your Gundog To Flush

Step 1
When your dog has learned recall start introducing him/her to a little rough. Before you let her out of your car place 4-5 treats in a rough area about 20yards square.

Step 2
Let your dog have a few minutes play before you take her to the rough area where you put the treats. After about 5 minutes put his/her lead on and lead him/her over to the rough area.

Step 3
Tell your gundog to go-on or find while leading her to the first treat. Repeat with the rest of the treats keeping her on the lead and giving her a idea where the treats are hidden. Give her a fuss when she finds each treat.

Step 4
The following week repeat the exercise but leave her to find the last 2 treats herself. If she has not found the treat after about 3-4 minutes help her, but do not get annoyed. Your dog may get this the first attempt or it may take weeks of practice.

Step 5

Over the next few weeks give her less and less help hopefully after a few weeks you should let her off her lead to play and she will find the rough to get her treats. Cut the number of treats down but keep giving her fuss.

Step 5
If possible get some dead birds or rabbits and put them in socks then in the rough. This will give a smell for your dog to scent. Introduce your dog to the smell before you leave the car to place them. Place a few treats also.

Step 6
Take your gundog somewhere where there is some game and through a couple of treats around the edges. Tell her to go-on and your dog should start to use its nose to find the birds. As long as you have been giving a fuss and encouraging in the training, she should have no problem adapting to flushing on the shoot.

Warning

Do not rush your dog when training, if it takes 6 months don’t worry it will be worth it. If it takes 3 weeks you are lucky but on another discipline like retrieving your dog may take longer to learn.

If you want more info on how to train your hunting dog from start to finish we can help you. At present we are filming our new training program , which you get a 10 minute video each week taking you step by step through the training process of training your new gundog. Click Here to get You even get free Pre Training Preperation Videos

Ron With Kayla, We Shot a Training DVD Together<

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