Best breed for Deer dog

[d0nni]

Hi,

I'm considering getting a dog to train to track and more importantly alert us when it's got a deer. It's purely for recovering if we get a runner.

What do you suspect would be best breed? My dad talks of this small dark dog he thinks is French breeding but can't remember their name. Looks like a we terrior or something?

Any suggestions welcome. We have a Springer atm who is our bird dog. She can get the scent of the deer no problem. Ya can see her on the scent when doing the odd trial but just was never trained to alert ya on finding it etc. And it's prob too late to start her. We mainly use her for raising woodcock and pheasant.

Could we just pup her and get her pup started on it? Id assume with the right training Springer would be dead on?

Just thought id ask if there is a "best breed" for the job with it "in their blood" so to speak?

Apologies if it's a repeated question admin, just would like some opinion and reasoning for certain breeds for the job

 

[John Gryphon]

and get her pup started on it?

ABSOLUTELY!

 

[Ozalid]

This is one of those questions that will get every man (and his dog) saying the one he’s got is best I suspect, however, although I love ESS with all my heart, If I was going for a Dog specifically for hunting deer, it would be a hound of some sort, Weimaraner, Vizla etc, they never seem to get over excited,although I know a wonderful Labrador who hunts like a dream with his master. I guess it doesn’t matter what breed, as long as it is, rock steady,, obedient, quiet and knows what it is doing. Just my opinion! Pro

 

[arron]

One thing I would consider strongly is a breed that will be game enough to grab or hold or bay a deer, my WHV can track and find the deer no bother but if it got up I no she wouldn't get hold , may be she is particularly soft for the breed?? As a GWP would certainly get a grip , just my view

 

[d0nni]

Never actually considered the holding of the deer tbh. Good enough shout.

If imagine blood tracking training to be quite natural to them?

We generally get quite a few deer. So getting blood and hide to train it on isn't an issue. Fortunate enough to have very good permission. But a lot of work to be done on them.

 

[arron]

I think teyhan1 on here had a book for sale ' dogs for deer ' it is s very good book if you can buy it off him ! It would be worth reading it , then may give you some insight into which breed to get , atb Arron .

 

[Darren1234]

Just get a TI for tracking deer and use your own skill to find and shoot deer.

 

[Keith Edmunds]

As with all types of dog related sports, it is also worth thinking about the character and temperament that suits your own. Many breeds can do the job, they will have different 'styles' some might suit you, some might not. I think matching the character of the breed with what which gels with the owner is often overlooked - both with pet owners and working dog owners.

 

[McKenzie]

For Sale: GWP (Dixie)

 

[JTO]

As with all types of dog related sports, it is also worth thinking about the character and temperament that suits your own. Many breeds can do the job, they will have different 'styles' some might suit you, some might not. I think matching the character of the breed with what which gels with the owner is often overlooked - both with pet owners and working dog owners.

And think about whether or not it will be kenneled or a house dog. Will it be good with other family members? Less to think about if it will only come out to work. IE, will it be a friend or just a tool?

 

[Ranger22]

Just get a TI for tracking deer and use your own skill to find and shoot deer.

Thermal imagers are useless in thick cover, so a dog beats them hands down

 

[mereside]

as ranger above, we have tracked many deer now were thermal couldn't find them, go for a dog that suits your needs as you will be happier in the long run, atb wayne

 

[Essex stalker]

Whilst Thermal is great in some places I have found it next to useless in finding deer in large areas of clear fell. The deer normally drop into the gulleys and dips around the tree stumps which means they are next to invisible to the thermal

 

[An Taín Hunting Outfitter]

Any dog can track. It is more about how that dog behaves when with you. Preferably you want a tracking dog which walks at your heal when stalking. It's how you turn the tracking switch off and on, so say off the lead and you crossed a fresh deer scent trail (but two hours old) the dog doesnt leave your side and start tracking. But on the other hand if walking open heather and your dog knows a deer is in a thicket he will tell you. I work a Bavarian which is one of the best deer specific breeds but it took me over a year to understand and better control the traits and for us to work together. Dog Bavarians are so much harder to work than bitches. He is still learning as am I about him but I wouldnt have any other dog. His name is testamount to our relationship, Mo Chara (Mo Kara) Irish for my friend. The best advice I can give is expect your dog to mature after 2years old. Patience and always trust your dog, especially when you have marked a shot deer but he is telling you it was further on than you think.

 

[An Taín Hunting Outfitter]

But every dog has cons as well as pro's. A Bavarian does not suits everyone home, they have a unique character which require a ton of patience. Essentially they are driving dogs, especially the German lines. So it is about careful training so the dogs especially don't rush into a wood to try and drive deer to you. Aaaaaaalthough, when the deer are being stubborn and not showing having a Bavarian enter a wood and circle round greeeeeatly improves the number of deer shot per annum. It can't be taught, it's in them and is a priceless trait. Mine would do this and come back in under 30mins every time so I can rely on him to return. How he finds me again when he can't see over the top of the Heather or rushes taking a different path back is anyone's guess. He is like a homing pigeon!

 

[wildfowler1]

One thing I would consider strongly is a breed that will be game enough to grab or hold or bay a deer, my WHV can track and find the deer no bother but if it got up I no she wouldn't get hold , may be she is particularly soft for the breed?? As a GWP would certainly get a grip , just my view

My HWV,s will get a hold and hang on.Wf1

 

[levigsp]

GSPs track and will hold!

 

[kimh]

I have had many dogs...
when shooting feather I chose the English pointer and supplied to Royals and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Guy Wallis
for my stalking life now - I have a mutt - (don't tell her) she is a cross Staffy with a Ridgeback - I am a very lucky person to have the privilege of understanding this dog as it has so many natural instincts that I could not train into a dog, it points on pick up of sent, circles when within 15 metres of carcase, will drag a 230 kilo animal, barks at a fox, will pull a deer down, will pluck out cubs and despatch, doesn't understand range shooting but I have to take her as she fretts... my wife wanted a lorry dog for when she goes out with the horses so I got a Dachsund, now that little bugger is learning from the boss and is a recommendable little creature that can also be lifted to a high seat and is my eyes and ears, awaking me when I dose off also with the ole girl at the foot of the hight seat as 26kilo of dog is best left on the ground when an animal is shot - the Dach is brilliant a squirels as well
I think what I'm saying is breeding, the little one has learnt from the old un, but where the hell the old un got the knowledge from I have no idea, I and my friends just enjoy the dog's capabilities on numerous instances... it can also track a lost ferret? yep done it twice
Breed isn't the point, breeding is, but there are no surprises in life and I for one am continually amazed and fortunate, but with all you have to know also what you are doing as anticipation will look after you dog, mine are working deer dogs so see very few other dogs so they aren't 100% sociable , so I am defendant of the cross as the full breed has a bad following and reputation, but we have seven cats, one parrot, two ferrets, two guineapigs and nine horses living all together with my family of four girls

good luck with your selection, as personally, I wouldn't know what to go for... I know what I wouldn't go for from others experience!

 

[d0nni]

I was hoping for a few definitive answers (more fool me I course) but I've gotten a lot of extra things to think about which I never would have which is good. We will be breeding out Springer anyway so sounds like would be worth a punt just taking a chance on her pups and seeing what to do next. The training sounds like a big undertaking. As with any training I suppose.

 

[cookingfat]

Thermal imagers are useless in thick cover, so a dog beats them hands down

Agreed here’s one I was called out to a while ago,
Shot a last light, went into think cover, stalker couldn’t find it with the thermal, simple one for the dog to track, 60 yards in, unfortunately the badgers to there before me!