Field Partners Hunters Need To Find And Train The Perfect Match Before Heading Out With A New Pup

The next few months are critical for any hunter planning to hunt pheasant, quail and ducks this fall with a new pup. Bird seasons begin in mid-September, but now is the time to think about, select and even train a dog to perform enough of the basic tasks to share your hunt.

Many breeders schedule mating to make sure they have a few litters available in April or May.

Studies have shown that puppies have learned most of what they need from their mother and littermates and will begin bonding with their human caretakers at around 7 weeks old. This is the ideal time to take a puppy home.

Some trainiers say puppies from pointing breeds are ready for no-pressure introductions to hunting in the field at around 7 months of age. Retrievers can be ready for low-key introductions much earlier.

Socialization is critical for a dog that’s going to be a worker in the field and a part of the family. That’s why early spring is a perfect time to bring home a pup. Having a soothing relationship is much easier when it’s easier to get pup outdoors to burn off steam.

Hunters looking for a bird dog should gather resources and be thorough. The process is, in the words of outdoors writer Bill McClure, “almost like getting married.”

Here are some basics:

Choosing a breed

Pointing and retrieving are instincts bred into dogs for specific purposes. Duck hunters prefer water-proven retrievers. Chukar hunters favor wide-ranging pointers.

But remember, dogs of any breed can learn to do almost anything as long as they have the genetic disposition to learn and are trained in a way that leaves them wanting to please you.

Also, individual dogs within any breed might have strong or weak instincts. Careful attention to the credentials of the parents will greatly improve the odds of getting the traits you want in a pup. But there’s no guarantee.

Are your children small? Your backyard adequate? Are you willing to pay for your love of long “feathered” legs and tail by constantly brushing and de-burring your dog’s coat in the field?

If you want a hunting dog, don’t get anyone else excited about a pup before you decide what is best for you and make some commitments to yourself and your future field companion.

Show or go?

Typically, after being bred for pointing or retrieving, purebred hunting breeds have two distinct categories - show lines and field lines.

Show dogs are bred for the calm demeanor necessary to be handled in show rings and often do just fine for casual hunting.

Hunting intensity and ability are bred into field lines, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t make good house pets.

Training

Don’t start too fast or try to go too far, but do start something.

Joan Baily, an Oregon author of methods for picking and training hunting dogs, says puppies have until just their 16th week to learn how to learn.

“If he has the opportunity to learn during this period, you will always be able to teach him something new, even when he is 10 years old,” she said.

Where to look

Members of area bird dog clubs are good resources for people raising specific breeds.

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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Training forum Learn tested techniques and get answers to your bird dog training questions from four professionals who specialize in either pointers or retrievers. A forum sponsored by the Spokane Bird Dog Association is scheduled for 7 p.m., April 8, at the VFW Hall, 300 W. Mission. Info: John Magnuson, 448-9201.