Now that i have my GSP, i'm thinking about using him exclusively for birds. That means i still need a rabbit dog. I've been thinking about a dachshund. Any thoughts?
FB, if my memory serves me (which it seldom does ), you are acquainted with Teddy. Do you know how to get in touch with her? I understand that it is possible to get a started dog from her. I wonder if she has any and how much they are? Can you get me a contact number, email addy or what ever?
Mike, Last april you were breaking in a young beagle. How is he doing? I am thinking about getting one myself but have no experience with the breed. Is he what you expected and would you reccomend one, or should I pick a different breed?
I just got my beagle back from "beagle school". They have three running pens, all fenced and stocked with rabbits: 2 acres, 5 acres and ten acres. The pens are complete with brush piles, briars and other natural cover. The pups start in the 2 acre field and graduate to the larger fields as they get the hang of things. My beagle was running rabbits in the ten acre field in about a week. He only stayed there for 14 days.
Now, when we hit the field, Beagle Bailey is nose to the ground and hunting! As his nose opens, his ears shut! FB is exactly right!
Before graduating from "beagle school" he was a well mannered dog who came when called, would sit, stay etc. Now he has forgotten all that and only has one thing on his mind... Wabbits!
He's still young, only six months, and i think i can get his obedience traing back.
I took him to the meet this past weekend where there were tons of rabbits and i noticed that he was running all over the place and missing the bunnies (remember, he's still a novice). One man opined that there so many trails that it confused him. He added that beagles were good dogs where rabbits were scarce and reflushes are needed but JRTs make the best jump dogs.
There just isn't enough time to try all of them to know for yourself. But i have high hopes for Beagle.
Post by DanielMargot on Feb 9, 2005 7:58:12 GMT -5
Pointers are the best! But I guess it all boils down to their training...and what game you're hunting. If you are hunting duck with your longwings then you can't go wrong with a pointer.
Actually, it would difficult hunting duck with a pointer that doesn't swim well. Duck dogs need to hit the water with a splash and head out to the ducks. GSP's don't have the swimming abilities that brittanys do, or labs.
And i think we can all agree we don't want our dog sitting on the shore of the pond, holding point at all the ducks milling around in the middle
A pointing dog is almost required for upland game, and is very usefull with hunting fur as well. But ducks require that aqua jock water dog.
Storm is doing fine. He is an excellent rabbit dog. I would highly reccomend a beagle for hunting rabbits. Hunting rabbits is natural to them as that is what they have been bred to do for so long. Storm is a clown and a lot of fun to be around.
My GSP is a water nut ( actually, i think he may just be a nut). He'll charge the water and jump in like a four year old at the public pool. He loves to swim. The only problem i have is holding him back. When he spots ducks floating, he's ready to pounce. If i had a falcon it would be difficult to let it ring up while holding Bud back... but it would be possible. No, he can't swim like a retriever, but all he would need to do is get the ducks in the air so the falcons could dive... No Problem! I think he gets of on watching them scatter!!