DS and hunting?

Violet · Post by **Violet** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:30 pm

I have recently started working in the lovely world of falconry. It's part of my work experience for my degree, but I am loving it and can see it becoming a potential job or just a hobby ( there's a possible job at the end of it if I keep up the good work). Now part of falconry involves hunting with dogs. Most of the dogs used are typically hunt, point, retrieve dogs, spaniels or retrievers etc. My question is, Do you think a DS could be taught to do the same job as a hunt point retrieve dog? not necessarily the pointing, but at least the scenting/tracking, brush work, retrieving and positioning of prey?
I would really be interested to know as I was recently offered a Hungarian Vizla which would be perfect for this job, but I am holding out for a DS because of reasons mentioned previously in my intro, though it seems the only thing a DS can do which a Vizla cannot is the protection part of working trials.
Has anyone ever heard of a DS being used for hunting in this way?

alspyce · Post by **alspyce** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:26 pm

I guess you've not seen a pissed off Vizsla???

Good luck in Falconry----Would love to see pics.
Don't know about hunting with a DS tho.

Marjolein · Post by **Marjolein** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:30 pm

There are stories of farmers years ago, who hunted too, that used to bring their farm-dog (DS) along when hunting.

I happen to have a hunting DS at home

and I am pretty sure she would LOVE to do this job. Not sure how to teach her retrieving means bringing it to me BEFORE it enters her stomach :dschick:

but with LOTS of patience it could be possible, I guess.

Isis · Post by **Isis** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:35 am

I do not know about the Dutch Shepherd being used for hunting, but I have heard of some old-time hunters that have sworn by their German Shepherds as the best hunting dogs....my own GSD is a prey monster and has unfortunately, run after deer and only returned to the house when she felt it was time for dinner.

I also know, first hand, of a Queensland Heeler or Australian Cattle Dog, as they are now called, that was an amazing hunting dog! He died at 12.5 years of age, but was used every year by his owner, during hunting season to help locate deer and to trail injured deer if it wasn't killed instantly by the shot. He was very useful and dependable to his owner.
I don't see why a DS couldn't be taught to be a hunting dog....they are a versatile breed!

Christie M · Post by **Christie M** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:44 am

I held my falconry license for a few years, but it did not overlap my DS years. My second girl, Willow, was raised along with a lab companion who was an excellent point, flush and retrieve dog. Willow naturally caught on to the scent detection part of things, and retrieve (although soft mouth was never her virtue). I never put the time into a "woah." But I bet she would have done it. My ex was very impressed with her nose and trainability and he joked about taking her to hunting shows just to have something different.

I am so envious of you having a bird. Are you handling something specific now? Are you planning to apprentice with a specific species/bird? Are you thinking wild caught, purchased or handed down from another falconer. I have talked about getting back in to it so many time, but I just think it wouldn't be fair. I can barely commit to working my dogs enough.

I would love to see pics!!

Marjolein · Post by **Marjolein** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:31 pm

Ivil can do a pretty good "point" too, this is where I HAVE to call her "HIERRR!!" if I miss this, she's out of control and goes hunting (without me...).

In this photo it's only mild (relaxed body, but alert and sniffing in some deer far away). If they would have been closer she get's really tense, her whole body is stiff, trembling. I would not have been taking a photo in that case but giving a very firm "HIER!" command

I also have an action

pic... no deer was hurt

2 brindles were hurt, after they got back

(Dingo just tags along with Ivil if she goes...)

felixone123 · Post by **felixone123** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 8:52 pm

love the action shot pic. you can see the lead deer making large leaping strides

Christie M · Post by **Christie M** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:13 am

I love that picture!! It is so surreal!

leih merigian · Post by **leih merigian** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:13 am

Wow, Marjolein! Great shot!

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:16 am

Great shot, but my heart went in my mouth thinking of being the photographer. Yikes.

Schlussdibusti · Post by **Schlussdibusti** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:12 am

Did anybody say Fenton?

Isis · Post by **Isis** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:26 am

Schlussdibusti wrote:Did anybody say Fenton?

hehehe! That's my GSD to a T! I can call her off of ANYTHING, except deer. That is why God invented E-collars!

Violet · Post by **Violet** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:04 pm

Haha nice picture marjolein

Now when it comes to hunting, I'm not looking for a dog to catch the prey, thats down to the birds, hunting with dogs has been banned here now ( this is the UK afterall

), but we can use them to flush, locate and retrieve downed prey.

Christie, I've only really just got into it, but I'm lining up for a harris hawk next year and I'm currently dealing with numerous birds, from falcons and hawks to eagles, owls and there's even a vulture on site, but he's only flown by the owner. The chap I'm working for does displays, hunting experience days, medieval re-enactments, and hawking on horseback. Some of his birds have even been used in film and tv, so he's very diverse and I've learnt loads already.
I had my first go at flying a peregrine x saker and then a gyr x saker just yesterday and I loved it.I've flown his 'killing machine' harris hawk aswell ( he has 5 of them) and on friday I should get my first go at flying a couple of eagles. We are getting all the birds out and fit now for the show season, I may even be giving a couple of shows myself which is nerve wracking for me as I'm still a newbie, but I'm learning so fast. It's something I've always wanted to have go at but I never expected it all to take off so quickly, just a few weeks ago I was doing work experience at a boarding kennels and then within a week I got sorted here and there are so many opportunities with it aswell. Hopfully once I finish my degree there will be a job in it for me

edited to add: forgot to say Christie that I'm planning on a captive bred parent-reared Harris for myself as my first BOP. I'd love to eventually have a golden eagle or a steppe eagle, though the bateleur eagle seems really nice aswell.

alspyce · Post by **alspyce** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:11 pm

Schlussdibusti wrote:Did anybody say Fenton?

Or maybe J. C.?

kchristy · Post by **kchristy** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 1:49 pm

Love the photos!

Marjolein · Post by **Marjolein** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 11:15 pm

I do NOT like that last pic, I sort of took it as proof to show Johan why I needed to invest in a good range e-collar

My heart was racing, there is a road behind those trees on the right, luckily the deer decided to go back up hill, away from the road, phew! I could have killed somebody

Emily, I got that, the birds do the hunting and you need a retrieving dog. I'm pretty sure you can teach a DS just about anything, but a dog bred for this will surely have more talent for the job

kchristy · Post by **kchristy** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 2:53 pm

Ek!! That would be scary, sometimes they just get so excited, it's like they go deaf

GSDNanny · Post by **GSDNanny** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 6:37 pm

I've always had a fascination of falconry. Please keep us up on your venture if you may.

I would suspect it would depend on the DS so far as hunting. Dont doubt that the hunting is possible, just not sure about the retrieval :dschick:

With the potential for 700+ lbs bite pressure compounded by a DS in the highest of prey drive, well, not sure there would be much left of your kill. I wouldnt think a DS would classify as a 'soft mouth' retriever!

But anything is possible with the right training.

I do know someone who uses their DS for blood-trailing deer.

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