Spaniels as Tracking Dogs

[georgedoubleyou]

Hi All,

I am very new to deer stalking. I will be getting a spaniel pup in the very near future. This puppy will be a beating dog that will also pick up pigeons for me (If all goes well).

My question, which I'm sure has been asked a million times before on here, is:

Is a spaniel a viable deer tracking dog? and if so, will I be confusing it too much by having it as a beating/retrieving/deer tracking dog?

At this stage, I am 50/50 between a cocker and a springer so if one would be a better option than another, I'd be interested to hear.

 

[Sika98k]

My dogs have worked for me. Doubtless a dedicated dog such as a BMH or Teckel might be better. However I don’t do enough stalking to warrant a pure deer dog.
Thinking about it they’ve never failed.

 

[VSS]

My daughter has a cocker spaniel as a deer tracking dog. It's mad as a box of frogs when it's not working, and it's general obedience is shocking, but it is fantastic at finding deer!

She did a write up of its first track (link below), but it wasn't much more than a puppy at that time. Since then she's been stalking full-time, so the dogs ability has developed in real life situations, which is the best form of training you can get.

Downsides are that it's not calm enough to accompany her stalking, so it stays in the vehicle until required, and it's not big enough to take down a wounded deer.

First track.

First track for my girl Squill today! Absolutely over the moon, as she hasn't been the easiest dog to manage. Got a call on the radio from one of the stalkers out with a client to say that they'd shot a hind in a forested area and she'd run. Visibility wasn't great due to patchy mist, and they...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[georgedoubleyou]

My daughter has a cocker spaniel as a deer tracking dog. It's mad as a box of frogs when it's not working, and it's general obedience is shocking, but it is fantastic at finding deer!

She did a write up of its first track (link below), but it wasn't much more than a puppy at that time. Since then she's been stalking full-time, so the dogs ability has developed in real life situations, which is the best form of training you can get.

Downsides are that it's not calm enough to accompany her stalking, so it stays in the vehicle until required, and it's not big enough to take down a wounded deer.

First track.

First track for my girl Squill today! Absolutely over the moon, as she hasn't been the easiest dog to manage. Got a call on the radio from one of the stalkers out with a client to say that they'd shot a hind in a forested area and she'd run. Visibility wasn't great due to patchy mist, and they...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

That's great, thank you.

 

[Len the dog]

He may not be a deer tracker but my Springer accompanies me on nighttime foxing trips and very quickly learned that he’s not there to thrash through the undergrowth at 100mph or quarter across the field.
He walks steadily and quietly at my left side, stops when I stop, and if I’m sitting out watching an area, he sits down next to me (or like most springers, climbs onto my lap).
When not foxing he is back into normal springer mode.

I don’t see why you couldn’t add another discipline to his repertoire, they are incredibly intelligent dogs.

 

[georgedoubleyou]

He may not be a deer tracker but my Springer accompanies me on nighttime foxing trips and very quickly learned that he’s not there to thrash through the undergrowth at 100mph or quarter across the field.
He walks steadily and quietly at my left side, stops when I stop, and if I’m sitting out watching an area, he sits down next to me (or like most springers, climbs onto my lap).
When not foxing he is back into normal springer mode.

I don’t see why you couldn’t add another discipline to his repertoire, they are incredibly intelligent dogs.

Excellent, that's exactly what I wanted to hear!

I must add that I dont need him/her to be the best deer dog every created, more a question of if it would be feaible to have him/her out with me and hopefully pick up a scent.

 

[Len the dog]

Excellent, that's exactly what I wanted to hear!

I must add that I dont need him/her to be the best deer dog every created, more a question of if it would be feaible to have him/her out with me and hopefully pick up a scent.

Well there’s no doubting a springer’s nose, whenever I’ve had my kit bags checked by a sniffer dog, it’s been a springer.

 

[knight82]

For me I was looking for the same- a good all rounder. Like spaniels as full of character, easy to handle and have a great nose. Only downside is some steadiness on stalks as instinct does sometimes kick in early until settled.
Went for a sprocker a few years back and trained him up to pick up pigeons and track both deer and boar. Fantastic breed and with most dogs really it’s the time you put into them you’ll be rewarded in the long run.

 

[waggy 1]

I now use a cocker spaniel, she is 7 months old at end of the month , she has at present been with me when I’ve shot the last 6 deer, she has actually found three herself, they weren’t difficult ones to be fair to her but she found them like a real pro, she stalks with me and is learning the job so quickly I’m really really pleased with her

 

[Tis1979]

My cocker is a fantastic companion when stalking & does very well tracking/finding deer.

 

[Sika98k]

I now use a cocker spaniel, she is 7 months old at end of the month , she has at present been with me when I’ve shot the last 6 deer, she has actually found three herself, they weren’t difficult ones to be fair to her but she found them like a real pro, she stalks with me and is learning the job so quickly I’m really really pleased with her

You must have got her up very early and forgotten to take her pyjamas off before stalking.

 

[Len the dog]

You must have got her up very early and forgotten to take her pyjamas off before stalking.

I would give that sad face a 9/10, but then I wouldn’t be particularly happy having my picture taken whilst out dressed in a onesie.

 

[waggy 1]

I would give that sad face a 9/10, but then I wouldn’t be particularly happy having my picture taken whilst out dressed in a onesie.

She gets cold easily when sitting around a lot , she was only just 5 months and it was very cold first thing in the morning I bet You have a coat on when you go out stalking don’t you?

 

[Len the dog]

She gets cold easily when sitting around a lot , she was only just 5 months and it was very cold first thing in the morning I bet You have a coat on when you go out stalking don’t you?

Mine too, I bought a snood from Mountain Warehouse and sewed 3 press studs onto it and the collar of his jacket.
His friend in the photo was one that was tangled up in fence wire that we saved from becoming dinner before the night was out.

 

[mickygism]

I’ve a German spaniel who I got as a puppy from a guy on the forum.
He’s nothing like your typical cocker or springer in nature,he’s not manic but quite hound like . He’s followed blood trails the next day that I’ve laid ranging from a few hours to 20 .
He’s more interested in deer (alive or dead) than any other quarry.

 

[NullMac]

Interesting, my lab decided he has retired today which is fair enough no complaints for his years of service. Trouble is he is indispensable. We have moved in the last couple of years not sure another Lab is the way to go. Although....

 

[Puds]

I’ve got two cockers, and while I love them to bits & they are brilliant beating dogs, there’s not a chance in hell I’d take them stalking. They’ve just not got the temperament to go slow, shut up or not be utter hooligans.

 

[Beretta V]

My old cocker wouldn’t have been good out stalking but I took her out to find a couple of muntjac and she actually dragged them out of the brambles to me. I couldn’t fault her nose or eagerness to please.

 

[georgedoubleyou]

My old cocker wouldn’t have been good out stalking but I took her out to find a couple of muntjac and she actually dragged them out of the brambles to me. I couldn’t fault her nose or eagerness to please.

This is more along the lines of what I was thinking. Thanks!

 

[mickygism]

I’ve got two cockers, and while I love them to bits & they are brilliant beating dogs, there’s not a chance in hell I’d take them stalking. They’ve just not got the temperament to go slow, shut up or not be utter hooligans.

That’s the trouble with mine he just wants to blast off , has no chill