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| Stephanos
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i am going too have 8 hunting dogs. a- because i love dogs like chips and b- i love hunting with good hunting breeds.
i have 7 picked out already.
i only want versatile breeds.
i already have selected:
black and tan coon hound
walker coon hound
red bone coon hound
blue tick coon hound
weimaraner
german short haired pointer
vizsla
?
i want the eighth to be very special in terms of temperament. i want it to still be a versatile hunting dog- able to hunt deer, upland game birds, mabe coon, fox, and rabbit. i do not prefer single duty dogs due to the fact that I want my pack to always hunt together or at least be of some use during each hunt. (pointers with coon hounds when coon hunting and coon hounds with pointers when bird hunting) i will be able to afford great training in order to do this. i will be hunting mostly deer, coon, and quail with hounds and pointers.
one more dog and my pack is complete. most of my selected dogs are almost hyper-which i prefer due to my own energy. i want one dog to be able to go with me kayaking. with him being calm and controlled kayaking with me.
for number 8-my kayaking and versatile hunting dog- i am thinking about a breed of setter or english pointer.
if you were to choose one obedient but still very energetic versatile hunting dog capable of hunting deer,quail, and coon, and able to stay with you on a kayak what breed of hunting dog would you choose? |
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| Faro
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Hi iymle, I can see why the idea of versatility would appeal to you. It's sounds good in theory, but I don't think it's feasible to put into practice. You MAY be able to find one or two special individuals, that could successfully hunt more than one species... But, for what your describing, I agree with dan & others, that a Labrador retriever would most likely be your best choice...
There is a reason that most dogs are single duty. Each breed has different instincts, characteristics & abilities. That's what makes them ideal for hunting one particular species... Most of them have been bred for a specific purpose... careful breeding has enhanced their natural abilities, which are genetically inherent to their breed. I don't want to seem critical in anyway, but the idea of taking a bird dog, coon hunting & a coon dog, bird hunting, does not make very good sense to me...
Here's why... 1st of all, if you want your dog to be the best at something, you will have to work with him, doing the same thing over a period of time, for him to master it.... trying to teach him to hunt something different, than what he's bred for, will only confuse the dog... & probably mess him up for hunting any one thing well.
Any coon hunter will tell you that the WORST thing a coon dog can do is get started running deer... likewise with a rabbit dog. Bird dogs are what they are, because THEY have that pointing instinct! But, it still take LOTS of training, to enhance their natural instincts & make them a REALLY GOOD bird dog. They don't just come ready made... You have to teach them, to HOLD, once they have locked on a bird... You have to teach them not to creep or flush the bird... in order to have time to get there & shoot it. They have a very soft mouths, just made for retrieving. Still most need some training, to be good retrievers.
Ok, now picture your in the field bird hunting & your best dog's on point. Your working your way to him, to get a shot at the bird... Then out of the blue comes one of your coon/deer/rabbit dogs & he runs right through the point, flushing & chasing the bird. That messes up your bird dog. For one thing your bird dog is gonna get an attitude & he's gonna wanna chase the bird too... This can become a BAD habit in bird dogs.
Ok, now imagine your coon hunting & your hounds are treed... Your bird dog will be of no help at all... For one, most don't bark much... & he will only want to find birds.... If he is interested in the coon, he would not be much use fighting the coon & would probably get torn apart.
Coon dogs/hounds have a natural instinct for tracking/chasing & killing the coon... but even they usually need years of training to make them a GREAT coon dog. Hounds usually work better in pairs or packs... But, you should never, ever, run your fox hound or deer hound with your coon hound... You would absolutely ruin him! It's VERY BAD for a coon dog to run a deer & totally screws up the whole hunt. You can however, train a hound to run coon, fox or deer. Just not all three together. You would never know what they(the dogs) or you were hunting????? LOL
Do you see my point? I'm not saying it's impossible, just a bad idea. It really defeats the whole purpose, of breeding fine dogs to do a specific job & allow them to be the very best at it!
I just don't think it would work. I think it will MESS up ALL your dogs... probably to the point, that they couldn't even do the kind of hunting that they were designed or bred to do. I hate to seem critical, but that is my opinion. Which is also based on my own experiences with dogs.
The whole point of buying these fine breeds, is because they are the best at what they do! These dogs love doing what they are made for... That's what they live for!!! Don't try to make them into something they are not... Let them be the best at what they do.... That's where the real fun & satisfaction really comes in, both for you & them.
In the past, my Labs, have probably been most versatile. They will retrieve waterfowl & can be taught to sit still in a boat(don't think that's gonna be easy with a pointer/setter or hound) They(Labs) can & will track a wounded deer. They are great companion dogs!!! They do like to go along, on almost any kind of hunting, but they SHOULD stay by your side. I've even seen one who pointed(well kinda) at rabbits & quail, but then would give chase...
But, I have never seen a more beautiful site (or a happier dog) then my Lab, coming though the swamp/marsh (having to swim some, climb over obstacles & then swim some more), with a gorgeous duck hanging out both sides of her butter soft mouth Then placing it gently in my hand. NO dog has ever been more loyal, made me prouder or feel more loved, than my Lab.... The Labrador Retriever is truly, one of the world's best dogs!!!!! |
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| Corwyn
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Sounds like you have a good group already, but seems to me a good hunting smaller dog might be in order to go into the smaller, tighter places. For that you cannot beat a Jack Russell terrier. They are the ultimate hunters, they never quit, back down, or get tired. Hunters have been known to have to dig their Jacks out of holes when the dog would not leave even after days without food or water. They also have no idea that they are a small dog. I promise you, they will make your bigger dogs down before they do. Highly intellegent, highly active, the ultimate hunters. |
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