I have mentioned a number of times that, while many working-bred dachshunds are capable of a number of tasks and a reasonable degree of obedience, most love nothing more than hunting hard and fast....And usually, they just keep going!
Yesterday afternoon was a typical example. We had taken Bella out for a retrieving session on the stubble, this keeps her fit and gives that active mind some much-needed stimulation. She performed well, delivery was a bit sloppy but I often let her rag the dummy once she has retrieved it, this is not FT retrieving - more just having some fun with a driven little hound.
After the retrieving, I let her have a little free-hunting to push a few pheasants out of the hedge line or chase the odd rabbit to its hole. Our biggest concern is that a hare or deer might be lurking about as, once on fresh scent, these little dogs will hunt until 'THEY' are satisfied that a kill is not possible, perhaps 200 yards? Perhaps 2 miles? Bella had flushed a pheasant and then, out in the stubble she emitted that signature 'yip, yip, yip'. This usually means a hare or deer and on the stubble it could only be old Lepus. The next video is when it's just a case of when you realise that it's a case of letting them get on with it and hoping they will be back soon!
Fortunately, she was back reasonably soon, we had run on to the hedge line, but she made her way back to where we previously were, but she soon saw us and returned straight to us. Phew!!! All in a dachshund-day's work.
Yesterday afternoon was a typical example. We had taken Bella out for a retrieving session on the stubble, this keeps her fit and gives that active mind some much-needed stimulation. She performed well, delivery was a bit sloppy but I often let her rag the dummy once she has retrieved it, this is not FT retrieving - more just having some fun with a driven little hound.
After the retrieving, I let her have a little free-hunting to push a few pheasants out of the hedge line or chase the odd rabbit to its hole. Our biggest concern is that a hare or deer might be lurking about as, once on fresh scent, these little dogs will hunt until 'THEY' are satisfied that a kill is not possible, perhaps 200 yards? Perhaps 2 miles? Bella had flushed a pheasant and then, out in the stubble she emitted that signature 'yip, yip, yip'. This usually means a hare or deer and on the stubble it could only be old Lepus. The next video is when it's just a case of when you realise that it's a case of letting them get on with it and hoping they will be back soon!
Fortunately, she was back reasonably soon, we had run on to the hedge line, but she made her way back to where we previously were, but she soon saw us and returned straight to us. Phew!!! All in a dachshund-day's work.
There is a wide spectrum of dachshund 'types' across the country and across the globe, depending largely on how they are bred, this is where putting the homework in is, in my opinion, vital.
