This may be an obvious no or it might be a sure why not, but has anyone ever had a collie or kelpie as a deer dog? I have a Collie x Kelpie who loves coming out with me and the rifle. Whenever I’ve shot the odd crow or pigeon with a rifle she always runs on to find what I’ve shot, sniffing it out if she can’t immediately spot it. She never picks up or retrieves it, just stands and marks it. I know that’s a long way from a tracking dog but to me, at least, that shows a hint of potential? Am I mad?
Collie x Kelpie as a deer dog????
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Patience for dog or handler? My collies will stay put all day if I ask them to.
I imagine I’d run out of patience before her!! She will generally stay out once I’ve told her to stay, with the odd bit of reinforcement every now and then. The biggest problem with her is that she insists on walking 20 yards ahead of me- I must be bad company. Though, I am working on that with her and she’s slowly learning to walk to heel consistently once I’ve asked her to
She won’t sit still at home, regardless of how much walking or stimulation she’s had. Out and about she’s a little more steady. Certainly not a calm dog but I think there’s potential
Give it a go and see……maybe on rabbits.
My personal experience (based upon a sample of one, which is not statistically significant by a far stretch) is the the cross that I knew was manic as hell
She is manic but can turn it off once told, at least for a while. I’ll certainly give it a go, at least I’ve not had any ‘absolutely not’ answers. So my next question is, how on earth do you train a tracking dog? Anyone have any book or YouTube channel suggestions? Thanks allGive it a go and see……maybe on rabbits.
My personal experience (based upon a sample of one, which is not statistically significant by a far stretch) is the the cross that I knew was manic as hell
@theroedeerguy
Well-Known Member
Clark McGhie has some great Collie’s as deer hunting companions
Clark McGhie has some great Collie’s as deer hunting companions
Thank you, BP75, I’ll check him out!
Thank you, BP75, I’ll check him out!
If it’s a dog you’ve already got, then why not? If you were asking if you should get a pup to try to train it might be different advice but if you’re not looking for another dog and you need one to find deer for you then I don’t really see what choice you have. You can only p1ss with the c0ck you’ve got!
I couldn’t agree more. I’m looking to get a lab in the near future, when a mates dog has a litter, but that would be a bird dog. It’ll certainly be fun to try!
My sentiments exactly! What’s the worst that can happen?My neighbour has Kelpie collie cross that they work dairy and sheep very switched on . Go for it ,you have nothing to lose, only gain
Siggy
Well-Known Member
The Kiwis use heading dogs which are pretty similar to collies all the time in New Zealand, so it's not a long reach.
check out
They do work them differently to European methods but they appear to be effective both before and after the shot.
Guy Wallace said the main problem with collies was finding one that wasn't gun-shy but it doesn't seam to be a problem for you!
check out
Big Game Indicating Dogs
Big Game Indicating Dogs is based in New Zealand and run by Paul Michaels. We specialise in helping people to train their own big game indicating dogs, or deer dogs, using The Deer Dog Training Blueprint.
biggameindicatingdogs.com
They do work them differently to European methods but they appear to be effective both before and after the shot.
Guy Wallace said the main problem with collies was finding one that wasn't gun-shy but it doesn't seam to be a problem for you!
I've been thinking about this too as we have a 9 month old border collie. I am getting this book "Tracking Dogs For Finding Wounded Deer by John Jeanneney" https://www.born-to-track.com/book/order-info.htm
Ours has a very strong herding instinct which is proving difficult to overcome and I did think she might be afraid of the noise of the gun but you won't know until you try.
Ours has a very strong herding instinct which is proving difficult to overcome and I did think she might be afraid of the noise of the gun but you won't know until you try.
Jon P
Well-Known Member
They use them for mountain rescue search dogs, so finding a deer that is bleeding out should not really be an issue.
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