User:Lauriedehaan/Bird dog

An Irish Setter, a common pointer and flushing dog

Bird dogs are canines that have flushing, retrieving, or pointing instincts. These dogs can be trained and used while bird hunting, or upland hunting. Bird dogs are responsible for tracking birds by scent or sight to lead hunters in the right direction. Other bird dogs are trained to flush the birds, or spook into flight, while other bird dogs are simply trained to retrieve the game after the kill is made.

Skill Sets

Dog handlers can focus on any combination of the following three concentrations of pointing, flushing and retrieving for field trialing competitions or for hunting. Below, these three skills are defined.

Pointing

Dogs point on instinct to tell the location of the birds to the hunter. A properly trained pointer is able to point and resist the temptation to chase after the game. Pointing is classified by the dog having a rigid frame, straight tail, and nose in the air. This freeze allows the dog to sense any change in location of the game and is a clear alert to the owner as to where the game is.

‘Honoring’ is a term used to describe other dogs recognizing a dog on point and following suit. ‘Backing’ is a term that can be used in the place of ‘honoring’. The term ‘backing’ stems from the idea that the dogs following suit should be behind the dog that was on point first.

Flushing

Dogs that are trained to flush are trained to stay near the hunter and rush the prey into the air when the hunter is close enough for the kill. Perfection of this skill would include the dog knowing its owner’s shooting range and acting upon it, making sure not to flush the game before the hunter is able to reach them with his gun.

Retrieving

These dogs are trained to collect the prey after the hunter's kill. Retrieving is usually paired with pointing or flushing, as it is the simplest of the three skills to perfect.

Breeds

There are specific dog breeds that are known for being naturally talented at performing some of the skills described above. Below are four breed categories under which fall all dog breeds that are known for pointing, flushing and retrieving. Listed below each category are the most common of the breeds.

Pointers

Some pointing, or gun dog, breeds include the English Pointer, the German Shorthaired Pointer, and the Spanish Pointer. Other, less common point breeds are the Italian Spinone, the Vizsla, and the Weimaraner.

Setters

Setters have longer hair to keep them warm from the cold in the North and to protect their skin from the thickets they hunt in. They are known to be good bird hunting dogs as well as good family dogs. Common setter breeds include the English Setter, the Irish Setter, the Gordon Setter. , the English setter bring the most commonly used bird dog in North America of the three.

Spaniels

Common spaniel breeds, mostly known for their flushing and pointing skills, include the Brittany Spaniel, the Boykin Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel, and the English Springer Spaniel.

Retrievers

Normally with a waterproof overcoat and wooly under coat, retrievers are prepared to fair all sorts of weather while in the field. Some retrieving dog breeds include the Chesapeake Retriever, Curly Coated Retriever, the Flat Coated Retriever, the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever, and the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Training

Beginning training at an early age with hunting dogs is extremely important if the owner wants to competitively hunt or compete. It is easiest to get the dogs to listen and nix bad habits when the dog is a puppy, so it is encouraged to start training early. Unlike house dogs, the importance of training a dog to do basic commands, such as ‘stay’ and ‘come’, are important for the survival of the dog in some hunting conditions. Dangerous hunting conditions can include wild animals, or hazardous paths. In some instances, roads through the hunting area may provide a hazard. Depending on the situation, commanding the dog to ‘stay’ or ‘come’ will prevent the dog from finding itself in more danger. Effectively training a bird dog to ‘come’ as one of the first commands will help the trainer easily transition into teaching the bird dog retrieving if the trainer so chooses.

While training a dog to point correctly in the field, a check-chord, or a long, rope leash is used to keep the dog in control. Other, more technologically advanced equipment is now used in the field, such as the E-collar, that will allow the handler to administer punishing shocks to the dog immediately after a wrong move immediately after the dog attempts the mistake.

In field trialing, it is important for the dog to not chase after the birds it has pointed to. An effective way to do this is by using homing pigeons and practicing in a field prior to competitions. This training can be applied to pointers and flushers, as the dogs will need to resist the urge to chase after the birds (at all, or too soon) while doing their jobs.

Call-back boxes are used during this type of training. Call-back boxes allow for safe storage of birds away from the dog, with an easy way for the handler to assess the next bird as needed for practice.

Competitions

The most common competition is termed the field trial. The stakes and competition requirements differ as defined by the host of the event.

Individual dogs may be entered in several competitions at the same event depending on its skill set, its stamina, and the time the dog is able to rest in between competitions.

Disqualification from field trialing can result from breaking of point, the dog's inability to back, or honor a point.

References

"Traits of a Good Hunting Dog." Iron Spike Ranch and Kennels. Web. 06 Dec. 2011.

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