Best dogs
- Thread starter Robster
- Start date
I think you mean deer dog. 
Really, any "shooting" type dogs can be effectively trained reasonably easily to work on deer. Springers and Cockers stand out in the Spaniel world and retrievers, such as Labradors and similar are good. But that's by no means it. You hear from time to time of many different breeds being used as deer dogs or retrievers. Some have had success with the likes of Collies and Alsatians. And there's always those dogs originally bred for field work but rarely used for that these days, like Poodles. And what's more, there's the Germanic type pointers which are often deployed.
You don't say what sort of Spaniel you've got or how old it is, but as long as it is capable of sticking close to you when you stalk, it'll probably get the gist of things eventually if it's fairly intelligent. As for size, that really isn't as important these days, not like a couple of hundred years ago when they were expected to take on the deer themselves and bring them to bay.
Really, any "shooting" type dogs can be effectively trained reasonably easily to work on deer. Springers and Cockers stand out in the Spaniel world and retrievers, such as Labradors and similar are good. But that's by no means it. You hear from time to time of many different breeds being used as deer dogs or retrievers. Some have had success with the likes of Collies and Alsatians. And there's always those dogs originally bred for field work but rarely used for that these days, like Poodles. And what's more, there's the Germanic type pointers which are often deployed.
You don't say what sort of Spaniel you've got or how old it is, but as long as it is capable of sticking close to you when you stalk, it'll probably get the gist of things eventually if it's fairly intelligent. As for size, that really isn't as important these days, not like a couple of hundred years ago when they were expected to take on the deer themselves and bring them to bay.
Thanks for the reply yes I meant Deer dog lol predicted text again
my Spaniel is 4 years old and she's out of working stock so she's bright so I may give her a go the next time I'm out stalking. One of my friends uses a small terrier type dog and he's amazing..ugly as sin but amazing lol.
Regards Rob.
my Spaniel is 4 years old and she's out of working stock so she's bright so I may give her a go the next time I'm out stalking. One of my friends uses a small terrier type dog and he's amazing..ugly as sin but amazing lol.Regards Rob.
Labrador. Come half trained, will pick up what you want to teach it but will teach itself as well.
Waterproof
Happy to sit still for long periods.
Dunno if this is true of all dogs but when deer have seen my labs they seem intrigued rather than alarmed. They were black so maybe they think he is a small black deer.
Waterproof
Happy to sit still for long periods.
Dunno if this is true of all dogs but when deer have seen my labs they seem intrigued rather than alarmed. They were black so maybe they think he is a small black deer.
I lost my lab a while back and tried the cocker but he just got soaked through was miserable and brought back half the heather in his coat. Don’t think either or us particularly enjoyed that day out. Couldn’t sit for long as he would have frozen
Gentlemen, only one breed will be best, gwp!!!
On a serious note, any type of dog should be easily trained to find a dead deer. It might be more difficult to get some dogs to take or bay a wounded deer. That can be even be within breeds that are commonly used in deer work. They need to have a bit of boldness about them.
If I was you(op) I would work with the dog you have. If it doesn't work out then have rethink
On a serious note, any type of dog should be easily trained to find a dead deer. It might be more difficult to get some dogs to take or bay a wounded deer. That can be even be within breeds that are commonly used in deer work. They need to have a bit of boldness about them.
If I was you(op) I would work with the dog you have. If it doesn't work out then have rethink
Thanks I think that's what I will try to start with.
If there's one thing I can honestly say about GWP's, they're bellends.Thanks I think that's what I will try to start with.
But, I wouldn't be without mine. From a family dog, dog to take out walking and more importantly, working, i really wouldn't be without him. He carries my fox's, he will mark, point, stalk and try to carry smaller deer species.
I have however noticed pointers tend to like eating things they shouldn't. That included items of clothing!
Bo Diddley
Well-Known Member
GWP x Labrador if it doesn't work out with your spaniel 
6mmarc
Well-Known Member
Best deer dogs I’ve been around have always been labs
Would love one of my own but my old lab just wasn’t interested in deer when we tried him
till dragging it then he insisted on trying to lay on it and roll all over it so he just didn’t work out
Would be great if the new one is up to it but will have to see how she comes along she’s just 12 weeks now so a bit early yet
Would love one of my own but my old lab just wasn’t interested in deer when we tried him
till dragging it then he insisted on trying to lay on it and roll all over it so he just didn’t work out
Would be great if the new one is up to it but will have to see how she comes along she’s just 12 weeks now so a bit early yet
Finger crossed mate.
Reloader708
Well-Known Member
The best deer dog ive ever come across is one of my current spaniels, he's a sprocker and built like shithouse. He absolutely exists for deer, to the extent he won't look at a phesant let alone retrieve one.
Hes one of a few spaniels i use and absolutely essential when culling deer at night, he's the one ill never leave at home.
We've had some epic follow ups across forestry blocks and mountain sides and I respect him enough just to let him go, he barks and even howls when he finds a deer so ive never bothered with a garmin. The only down side, he's jet black and bad to see on a night.
Hes one of a few spaniels i use and absolutely essential when culling deer at night, he's the one ill never leave at home.
We've had some epic follow ups across forestry blocks and mountain sides and I respect him enough just to let him go, he barks and even howls when he finds a deer so ive never bothered with a garmin. The only down side, he's jet black and bad to see on a night.
I think (no, actually I know) it rather depends on if you require the mutt to be able to bring down a wounded beast. A spaniel simply wont cut it in this regard, whereas a robustly bred labrador will.
Other non sight hounds are available!
K
Other non sight hounds are available!
K
Reloader708
Well-Known Member
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