What breed

What breed do you use


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I use a lab, although I have a cocker that is showing interest ;) They're both gundogs, so deer are a part-time vocation for them, but in an ideal world I'd have a dedicated deer dog (a GWP or similar - if mrs_willie_gunn would allow it!).

willie_gunn
 
Hi all, i use a lab which works both deer and birds (soon to be mated to a dedicated deer dog)

How much stalking do you think we need to be doing (days per week/month) to justify having a dedicated deer dog?????

NELL
 
I use a vizsla,and im bringing on her 1 year old pup at the momment in my humble opinion if you stalk as little as 1 day you should have a dog
amberdog
 
I use a Patterdale for now.
He is enthusiastic but does have his limitations. Tough terrain and light blood trails are beyond his capabilities but he is fantastic company and has a heart of gold.

Pretty keen on a Wire Haired Viszla as my next deer dog.

All the best

Ben

001.jpg
 
Stalking: One day, one week, one month, one year makes no difference, one day something will go wrong and that is the day you wish you had a dog. ;)
 
Sikamalc
I think has it ,anyway I prefer the company of my dogs, they just get on and dont argue with me !Great company in the dark awaiting dawn or dusk and forever giving , give me a dog anytime , breed or pedigree , not at all a concern , for me anyway , so long as fit for purpose .Although I have a HPR, i also have a muttley just as keen .Thanks for the company of dogs.
Trapper
 
So you should have a specialist dog waiting all year in the kennel for the day you take it stalking :lol: how would you train such a dog???
 
A bit of topic but we must remember, just because you are a stalker it doesnt mean you are a dog person [it's a fact some people prefer cats :eek: , my dogs prefer cats to pedigree chum :evil: ] or have a lifestyle that will permit owning a dog.
Us with dogs will know the commitment and time it takes to have a decent deer dog , how is someone living in a flat in Glasgow , who through no fault of his/her own only gets 3 outings a year going to own a deer dog?
I think it is better that us who own deer dogs make our dogs available to those who don't.
It's ironic that for a dog to achieve it's potential it must get experience however the one thing that we don't want to do is give that dog experience :eek:
 
Very true what you say BS. I live out in the forest only one neighbour withinn 1 km. When you work dogs its second nature to have a dog out with you. You do tend to forget that not everone is as lucky and has access to the wide open spaces and a resonable amount of game or time.
Myself if i hav'nt got a dog by my side when out hunting then its like I've left a vital piece of hunting gear home.
 
I have a springer that I use for pretty much everything. Jack of all trades but most definitely not a master of any. However, it will find a deer but you can,t take it with you on a stalk as it is not steady enough. I would have to go back to the vehicle and get it.
 
Nell, I find your remark slightly sarcastic, and sarcasim is a very low form of humour :confused:

I am not advocating everyone keeps a dog for deer work. What I am saying is that one day no matter how good you are, or think you are, you will have a problem like TJ encountered and you will wish you had a dog to blood spoor for you. I freely admit it has happened to me, but after some 30 years in the game one would expect it ;)

That day may not have reached you yet, or maybe it has? but then perhaps you only stalk once a year ;) even so in many european countries it is illegal to hunt/stalk without a dog or access to one.

I sincerely hope that rule does not become law in the UK, but as we are members of the EU it is worth keeping in mind.
 
Dogs are great company plus a great help if trained. Many lads are not able to keep dogs so I count myself lucky that I'm allowed one. My lab is a family pet first any foremost and his training comprised following me round at work and when out stalking. I reckon a skilled dog handler would turn many shades of pale/purple and probably red if they had to spend time with him! The lads I stalk with are a tolerant bunch though, so his failings tend to go "un-noticed"
Mind you, I have to say that that because he is a very jumpy and excitable dog it has actually worked in my favour. I use him to find the deer in the first place as the area I shoot has very few deer in a very large space, so I let him sniff them out. The closer we get the more he quivers and shakes….it’s like having a rangefinder. In thick cover/difficult ground it is possible to get to within 20-30m of a beast before I spot it but the dog acts as an early warning system which stops me blundering in.
Occasionally he will spot the deer I’m about to shoot and his heart pounds so hard I can hear it!
Needless to say he cannot sit down and his ar*e has more float than a match barrel. Oh, and his idea of “heel” is about 6ft different from mine despite me reminding him 5000 fecking times a trip!
So if you’re thinking of getting a dog, just go for it.
 
I find that having a dedicated deer dog is a cracking excuse to go stalking "AGAIN", sorry dear i don't want to go but I've got to keep the dogs training up ;)

WD
 
WAYNE DAVIES said:
I find that having a dedicated deer dog is a cracking excuse to go stalking "AGAIN", sorry dear i don't want to go but I've got to keep the dogs training up ;)

WD

Think I might have to try that one Wayne but I think I know what the answer will be :(

Jonathon
 
Deer dog

Scotspine

Your dog sounds like he could be related to my daft lab!

I wouldn't be without him though - I bought him for beating but as my other dog is a lurcher - the lab kind of thinks he is part lurcher too now.

Needless to say he isn't too welcome on the beating days - given the chance he'd get more birds than the guns - and what he retrieves gets mouthed too much.

He has got a good nose though, is getting more obedient as he gets older (3 now), really enjoys hunting and isn't gun shy - so im tentatively thinking he might be of some use tracking deer - however his ability might not be matched by my ability to train him.

We'll see, it would be nice to have him along.

Daemon

:D
 
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