Dual role lab - is it possible?

[75]

We've got a new addition:

Like our other lab (now 3yr old), her main purpose is as a gun dog as I pick up and shoot throughout the game season. However, as she's still got all her training ahead of her I'm wondering whether I should introduce an element of deer tracking.

Two main problems/queries:

1) I'm concerned about reducing her effectiveness for picking up, which as I said, is her number one priority. Is this a realistic concern?
2) I know nothing about training dogs for deer - where do I start? Are there any recommended books out there?


ps. not expecting any problems when it comes to water!!

 

[Lloyd90]

I woudl also like to know please

 

[willie_gunn]

I have a lab that I use for both deer-stalking and game shooting, and my mentor has two labs that do the same, so yes it's possible. What I would suggest is getting them steady on deer first, then moving on to game.

So far as books, there are plenty!

Tracking Dogs for Finding Wounded Deer - John Jeanneney
Working with Dogs for Deer - Niels Sondergaard
Tracking Dog Theory & Methods - Glen Johnson
Tracking Wounded Deer - Richard P Smith
Finding Wounded Deer - John Trout Jr

The last two are not dog-specific. The Richard P Smith book has a chapter on tracking with dogs, but the John Trout book is better on diagnosing where the deer was shot.

The Guy Wallace books are also worth a read, particularly his one on the Specialist Dog.

Books are good, but sadly my lab doesn't read I went to one of Stone's Deer Dog Days and found it invaluable. My lab isn't perfect, but at least I now have a better idea of where I'm going wrong

willie_gunn

 

[Foxx]

Dual Roles

I have two labs at the minute (mother and daughter).

Mother is 12 and she is my deer dog, great nose, steady (cos of her age more than anything else), but can get hold and finish anything off if needed.

She was trained on game first, and worked well until she was four, but then when i used her to stalk more, started to chew game.

Maybe my fault, maybe breeding (came from a long line of deer dogs, bred from FC colleagues) but she does seem to murder anything now, hence dont take her on game shoots anymore.

My younger bitch (daughter) who is 8, has never seen deer and works perfectly and gently on game, softest mouth you would ever see.

Guess two things to chat about.....can they do two things at once? Can my young dog turn to deer if i loose my old one ?>

Interesting....anyway, be good to see what you guys and gals think?

 

[john clem]

Training dogs for woodland deer stalking. By Guy Wallace seems to have
some good info in it

 

[nell]

A big yes from me....an intelligent dog as most labs are can tell the difference between not only a deer and a bird, but the hunting situation ie quiet walk with the boss and his rifle or a driven bird day.
Not all labs will mix it with a wounded deer though...

Nell

 

[nell]

A big yes from me....an intelligent dog as most labs are can tell the difference between not only a deer and a bird, but the hunting situation ie quiet walk with the boss and his rifle or a driven bird day.
Not all labs will mix it with a wounded deer though...

Nell