bird dog

[longrangehunter338]

Just wondering if anyone has ever heard of anyone using a Miniature Schnauzer for small game hunting or even upland bird hunting?

Side note if anyone knows of anyone that might have a litter of german wire haired pointers next year that would also be helpful.
thanks

[Sportfury]

If that is what you have and it will find birds for you then I say go for it. Up until I was in my twenties most of my hunting dogs were mutts (usually mixed labs or somewhere in between) and they did a great job once they found out what the game was. Once they knew the game it was on.

[constructeur]

The Snauzer was originally bred to be a farm type dog, something that would take out small critters and stuff like that. You're low rider version may exhibit some prey drive but is not, nor will be a very good bird dog.

I have a deposit down on a female GWP for this Spring, and found the breeder after a decent bit of chatting kennels, looking at dog test scores (NAVHDA), talking with the kennels about what they breed for, and looking through pedigrees and health certs.

If you go my route, you'll be looking at $800-$1200 per pup, which is something many guys winge about. It's possible to get a decent word of mouth/Craigslist pup for $500 (o.k. I don't really think so, just playing devils advocate here) , but if you're dog has some weird health issue or needs a hip surgery because it was the result of improper breeding you'll be looking at expenses that are far greater than the initial puppy fee. A hip surgery is like $1500+ for example.

Your choice.


So, For what it's worth, I didn't get the warm and fuzzy from anyone very local to me (sSeattle) , and will be going to Oregon for a pup. Here's a couple of links to get you going on possible kennels. If you want to talk specifics you can PM me and I'll share more.

http://www.wirehairalliance.com/

http://www.gundogbreeders.com/

If you want to look up NAVHDA breeders this is the link to help you.

http://www.navhda.org/testing/search-test-records

Something else to keep an eye on is that many reputable outfits will tell you right up front about the health of the dog, PennHip or OFA sizes, that kind of stuff...

[scottr]

I've seen an Australian Shepherd point quail like a pro so who knows? Give the pup some field time chasing birds and see what happens.

[thequickfox]

I have a miniature Schnauzer I take out with me.  he bounds all over the place and likes it when the birds jump up in front of him.  he has a really high prey drive.  hes is no "pointer" for sure but i get more birds than I do without him.

Once my Great Dane kicks the can ill get a puddlepointer to replace him.  until then the Schnauzer does OK.

[Roo]

We actually found our GSP pup on craigslist. spent a year with her letting her be a puppy then took her to school (adventure gun dogs) great guy and did a great job with our pup. I am very happy with her performance  and ability. My next dog will however be a puddlepointer as well. Just have to convince momma now

[yorketransport]

I say give it a try. I've seen a few that could track rabbits like a beagle!

Andrew

[pcal]

 I have a couple Llewellen English setters..My Mack is 13 and jake is 14 and still loves to hunt.I have hunted them mostly in the high country and they  have  never failed to find birds.Last year Mack even found grouse in a heavy downpour over on Blewett Pass.At home Mack will point flies and never misses a chance to snap at wasp,either.Deathly afraid of fireworks and thunderstorms but will fall asleep while we are shooting clay targets.Go figure? I never trained him except the basic  commands to come,whoa with the whistle and held him back to not jump up after birds on the flush.This breed shouldn't be trained with a shock collar because they are just too sensitive.I learn the hard way but the breeding is in the dog to hunt and it's up to the hunter and trainer to get the most out of the dog.I know that many here wouldn't have a Llewellen because they are long haired and shed and many are white which makes the shedding even worse in the home but if you want a great dog that will HOLD the birds till you flush them and not requiring you to take long shots at wildly flushing birds,these are the worlds best breed to get.Speaking of the color of the dogs:White is the preferred color phase because when these dogs lock onto a bird in heavy cover  the white tail and coat makes it possible to see where they are without a bunch of fancy electronic beepers to spook a flush before you're in range for the shot that is required with a dark coated dog.They work close too.I would say that 30 to 40 yrds is about all thy will go out and circle you til they find birds. I might never get another dog as I'm 64 and getting a bit slow but I have the memories of these great dog who are a joy to watch work a grouse to hold and set at mere inches from the end of their noses and the bird are so mesmerized that I have  to put my foot up its butt to get it to flush. First picture:I called Mack to me after marking birds from a flock flush in where I killed 2 birds in a high meadow in the North Cascades on the border of the Pasayten Wilderness a few years ago. With hand signs I direct him into the cover where one of the the birds landed. With me 40 yards above the cover he found the bird and flushed it.He found it after I killed it with a load of #6's from my 12 gauge. That is the scenario of the bird he is crouching on in the picture. I couldn't believe how many times over the years he would find a bird in almost no cover and even pointed a new fledged birds in the middle of a logging road in a clump of grass that wouldn't hardly cover a sparrow. I didn't shoot it as I don't want to shoot the young birds. He never missed a beat and was on another more mature bird within minutes. I only wish I was a better shot as we would have limited out a lot quicker if I were, lol.

[ribka]

Great recounting of your experiences with your dogs pcal

[constructeur]

It's not that hard to put a flag on a dog in tall cover.

[birddogdad]

If that is what you have and it will find birds for you then I say go for it. Up until I was in my twenties most of my hunting dogs were mutts (usually mixed labs or somewhere in between) and they did a great job once they found out what the game was. Once they knew the game it was on.

Pcal great pics! reminds me of some of my favorite shows with Dez young here in the west - Hunting with Hank and Dash in the uplands...
http://www.hwhproductions.com/hwhBios.html

Dez is a wonderful person, will take the time to respond to your emails. Sadly both his boys have gone on and he may never get another.....

[hollymaster]

Saw a jack Russell quail hunting once,  that thing was awesome  in the thick stuff! 

[Derailed]

We had a cocker spaniel terrior mix that would point pheasants. it scared the crap out of my dad the first time he did it. He wasn't as good as our labs, but he was fun to watch.