A First in Many Respects

On Saturday I planned to start a Roe doe cull on farm where they had been pretty much left do as they please for the last decade, everything ready to go on Friday night for an early start Saturday.
The good lady had a dental procedure on the Wednesday and was suffering from an infection and was needing to rest, so she kindly suggested I take her Border Terrier with me, Penny being just over a year old and reasonably obedient but never been out stalking or even shooting at all i thought why not.
We stalked through a plantation into a clearing where I picked up on two Roe feeding, we slowly work our way in to a shootable range, little Penny can smell them up ahead but remains calm and quiet, excellent i think! I set up sticks and get rifle in position and wait for a shot, the first shot was a doe kid it presented a head shot and dropped on the spot, Penny's reaction to shot was absolutely perfect didn't flinch bearing in mind she has never heard a shot before!
The Doe comes to investigate and presents a chest shot again perfect reaction from Penny and Doe runs 30 yards to the left, then another Doe am presuming last years kid comes for a look and presents a chest shot and runs to the right into the plantation again perfect reaction from Penny.
After the usual rolly we set off to gather the Does, I let Penny walk in at her own pace constantly sniffing and working out what's what, we approach the shot site area of second Doe and she is marking strongly and with a little encouragement marks every blood spot and tracks deer to its final resting place, am very chuffed at this point.
The third Doe which had bolted into the trees, I take Penny to the rough shot site thinking this will be too much for her with all the other action in area, she instantly put her nose down and marked shot site and pulled me along marking every bit of blood on way, she worked into the tree line and under the Sitka for about 20 yards to find the Doe in a ditch.
So the first time for Penny being out with me stalking, first time hearing a shot and first time following a blood trail alot for a little dog and she couldn't of been any better.
Now I need to break it to the wife she is now my stalking dog!

 

[Border]

Excellent. My border used to point deer like a pointer. Great dogs.

 

[VSS]

Lovely!

 

[Donkey Basher]

I can understand why you’re so chuffed - I’d be dead pleased with that

Apart from a Jack Russel Terrorist (no it’s not an auto correct error) who owned us for 15 years, I’ve always had Spaniels but am thinking my next dog needs to be a little one & a Border Terrier is high on the list.

 

[Camdig]

I can understand why you’re so chuffed - I’d be dead pleased with that

Apart from a Jack Russel Terrorist (no it’s not an auto correct error) who owned us for 15 years, I’ve always had Spaniels but am thinking my next dog needs to be a little one & a Border Terrier is high on the list.

The border in my profile picture is 15 years old, she was an amazing little dog she knew the difference between tbe shotgun and the rifle, you could stalk with her in morning and go beating after, she would also go to ground when required.
Penny we got from a friend to be the wife's pet but I think she might have a part time job too, will be interesting to see her reaction with a deer that hasn't expired on finding it.

 

[Tim.243]

The border in my profile picture is 15 years old, she was an amazing little dog she knew the difference between tbe shotgun and the rifle, you could stalk with her in morning and go beating after, she would also go to ground when required.
Penny we got from a friend to be the wife's pet but I think she might have a part time job too, will be interesting to see her reaction with a deer that hasn't expired on finding it.

V nice, my spaniels find anything but can be a magnet for grass seeds in their ears so have a boring summer avoiding those and the vets.
Look like she will have lots of fun

 

[paulst]

This is pushing me towards getting a border. Always had labs and spaniels but am downsizing. It’s taken me a long time to get back to a position where I could consider another dog after my last lab died. Now the big question, any reason not to get a border? I did consider a teckel but would like to retain some sanity. It will live in the house and get used for deer and on foxing trips. Cheers.

 

[Camdig]

This is pushing me towards getting a border. Always had labs and spaniels but am downsizing. It’s taken me a long time to get back to a position where I could consider another dog after my last lab died. Now the big question, any reason not to get a border? I did consider a teckel but would like to retain some sanity. It will live in the house and get used for deer and on foxing trips. Cheers.

Borders for me are the best terrier type for in house pets and doing a bit of work, once they understand what you want from them they are great little things, they can be head strong but with good training all that can be overcome.
If you are used to training gundogs then a Border will be a doddle.
Some can be funny with other dogs but in general they are very bidable.

 

[paulst]

Borders for me are the best terrier type for in house pets and doing a bit of work, once they understand what you want from them they are great little things, they can be head strong but with good training all that can be overcome.
If you are used to training gundogs then a Border will be a doddle.
Some can be funny with other dogs but in general they are very bidable.

That sounds good to me, thanks for replying.

 

[Nickb]

Brilliant

 

[FISH BOY]

Excellent result - bar pulling a sled to get them out, I don’t think you can ask for more.

Bet your well chuffed and already planning new adventures.

 

[Camdig]

Excellent result - bar pulling a sled to get them out, I don’t think you can ask for more.

Bet your well chuffed and already planning new adventures.

Two trips with a Sika sack to nearest vehicle access point so not too bad.

 

[alberta boy]

Borders are one of my favourite breeds . They epitomize the name terrier , great little dog you have there .

AB

 

[8x57]

I can understand why you’re so chuffed - I’d be dead pleased with that

Apart from a Jack Russel Terrorist (no it’s not an auto correct error) who owned us for 15 years, I’ve always had Spaniels but am thinking my next dog needs to be a little one & a Border Terrier is high on the list.

We are the servants of a Jack Russel Terrorist/Border cross that our youngest daughter left with us when she went off to university. The little terror has an excellent nose but still not the equal of my old GWP from whom he learned to point.

Very sadly my GWP is nearing the end but despite the little bas***d being determined to become my very best friend I doubt that I would ever take him stalking, but there again I might get desperate one day and give him a go as he's determined enough and never seems to give up on a scent trail.

 

[CAVHUNT]

The road ends for all our fur mates but that doesn't make it any easier when losing them. Take the little guy with you...he just may surprise you besides...he'll be great company.

 

[ABL]

Had you done any kind of game training before this outing? Amazing if that all came straight from bred in instincts.

 

[Camdig]

Had you done any kind of game training before this outing? Amazing if that all came straight from bred in instincts.

The only training she has had has been general obedience training from my wife, the rules for us getting this pup were that she would be my wife's dog as my business commitments wouldn't allow the time, she would train exercise her, she attended puppy classes etc to socialise her.
Penny has only smelled deer or rifles as I came and went stalking.
If am honest I thought she would of been too excitable.

 

[8x57]

I think hunting deer is in the DNA of most dog's.

If I open the garage door and I have the dogs with me, the Jack/Border cross always immediately makes a beeline to sniff my deer recovery jet sledge. He always gives it a very thorough inspection with his nose. Yet he has never been taken stalking and I always scrub or even disinfect the sledge after use.

If I take a joint of venison out of the freezer the GWP always gets up and sniffs the air, he never does it with any other meat other than when lamb is cooking. Guy Wallace claimed that mountain reared sheep smelt like deer to a dog. He will also lie on the kitchen floor guarding the oven when venison is being cooked.

 

[ABL]

The only training she has had has been general obedience training from my wife, the rules for us getting this pup were that she would be my wife's dog as my business commitments wouldn't allow the time, she would train exercise her, she attended puppy classes etc to socialise her.
Penny has only smelled deer or rifles as I came and went stalking.
If am honest I thought she would of been too excitable.

That's really impressive - a deer dog with no training! I've been planning on a pointer of some description, but your BT gives food for thought on a smaller alternative. Good family pet too

 

[Cris]

My Border was great and I miss him being out with me. If I lay prone to tale a shot, he would stand on my back for a better view of what was going on. He used to point deer as well.
Waiting the right time to find another hinting partner.