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Is it hard to find a bird dog these days? Let me ask you this: Is it hard to find a used car? Supply is not the issue, it’s quality and assurance. And similar to buying four wheels, when it comes to four legs, I’ve got five words for any breeder I talk to: Just Show Me the DOGFAX.
You can find a bird dog in lots of places – heck, one of my dad’s best gun dogs was a half Irish setter, half who-knows-what that he picked up in a road ditch – and sometimes it feels like there’re more people breeding dogs than there are pheasants in South Dakota. Along those lines, many people have inquired as to why I don’t just adopt a dog. Indeed, there are a number of reputable adoption services available. But whether it’s a dog adoption service or a backyard breeder, these options – even at their best - can’t match the “guarantees” from full time, long time, professional breeders.
“Guarantee” is a funny word as it pertains to dog breeding, akin to using “sure thing” to describe a hot athletic prospect – despite the best laid plans, every once in a while there’s a bust. But strong written, contractual guarantees from professional breeders are based on strong track records, and strong track records help build the most reasonable expectations. Most importantly, guarantees protect you, the buyer, if the sum of all fears happens and you’re stuck with a lemon. You won’t find that level of confidence shopping at Ray’s Used and Highly Abused Cars.
There may come a day where I take home an all-I-need-is-a-chance pup from the pound, but it won’t be my first bird dog. I want the proven track record, the full health and family history, the guarantee, the handshake, relative peace of mind and that new pup smell – all the DOGFAX.
How about you, what critical components of a guarantee do you look for?
Previous “My First Bird Dog” posts:
Anthony’s Antics Afield is written by Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor. Email Anthony at AHauck@pheasantsforever.org and follow him on Twitter @AnthonyHauck.
My First Bird Dog – Just Show Me the DOGFAX
[caption id="attachment_6282" align="alignright" width="328" caption=""My First Bird Dog" follows one pheasant hunter's journey into bird dog ownership."][/caption]
Is it hard to find a bird dog these days? Let me ask you this: Is it hard to find a used car? Supply is not the issue, it’s quality and assurance. And similar to buying four wheels, when it comes to four legs, I’ve got five words for any breeder I talk to: Just Show Me the DOGFAX.
You can find a bird dog in lots of places – heck, one of my dad’s best gun dogs was a half Irish setter, half who-knows-what that he picked up in a road ditch – and sometimes it feels like there’re more people breeding dogs than there are pheasants in South Dakota. Along those lines, many people have inquired as to why I don’t just adopt a dog. Indeed, there are a number of reputable adoption services available. But whether it’s a dog adoption service or a backyard breeder, these options – even at their best - can’t match the “guarantees” from full time, long time, professional breeders.
“Guarantee” is a funny word as it pertains to dog breeding, akin to using “sure thing” to describe a hot athletic prospect – despite the best laid plans, every once in a while there’s a bust. But strong written, contractual guarantees from professional breeders are based on strong track records, and strong track records help build the most reasonable expectations. Most importantly, guarantees protect you, the buyer, if the sum of all fears happens and you’re stuck with a lemon. You won’t find that level of confidence shopping at Ray’s Used and Highly Abused Cars.
There may come a day where I take home an all-I-need-is-a-chance pup from the pound, but it won’t be my first bird dog. I want the proven track record, the full health and family history, the guarantee, the handshake, relative peace of mind and that new pup smell – all the DOGFAX.
How about you, what critical components of a guarantee do you look for?
Previous “My First Bird Dog” posts:
Anthony’s Antics Afield is written by Anthony Hauck, Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor. Email Anthony at AHauck@pheasantsforever.org and follow him on Twitter @AnthonyHauck. Tags: dog adoption, dog breeder, dog guarantee, DOXFAX, My First Bird Dog, Pheasants, pheasants forever
16 Responses to “My First Bird Dog – Just Show Me the DOGFAX”
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I want to see hunting titles in the pedigree, because titled dogs are MUCH more likely to produce solid bird dogs than your average pure breed dog. Also I look for health clearances in the pedigree, because healthy dogs tend to make healthy pups. Those two things are the best way to be “guaranteed” you get a great bird dog. Just remember, Money can buy you a fine bird dog, but only kindness can make him wag his tale.
There must be a strong pedigree of proven and titled dogs and all the applicable health clearances for the breed extending back as many generations as possible. I want a dog that has the desire to hunt — and still wants to snuggle on the couch at night. As a breeder, I’m working hard to improve my dogs generation by generation.
I just bought my first bird dog this spring, spent hours and hours, over the previous year, doing research. I found a breeder I liked with right titled pedigrees in his dogs and jumped in. We will figure out in the next year or so how he will be, but so far I am glad I did my research! He is probably the birdiest puppy I have ever seen, now I just have to nail down the training.
@Anthony – congrats, should be a fun first fall behind your new pup!
I’m with Gail…proven hunters, whether by photographic evidence, hunting experience behind the parents or AKC/NAVHDA hunt test titles.
Of all the dogs I have hunted behind, the top five came from litters of no significance what so ever. They had natural talent and such a strong desire to hunt. The common thread between them all was a very quiet disposition and a true love of the hunt. Male or female, each loved to be with the crew and to become part of the team.
The real cost of a bird dog is not in the purchase price. The real cost is in the time and effort you will put into the training and care throughout pups life time. Remember that it cost just as much to care for a “Biscuit Eater” as it does a champion.
Prepare if you must and guarantee as you will. Love is the way. My wise father once said “Arriving 15 minutes early does nothing but guarantee a 30-minute wait”.
I guess I try to take it a step further than well titled parents with all the health checks in that I prefer a repeat breeding of parents that had an outstanding first breeding.The first litter my pups parents had did really well in NAVHDA Natural Ability testing and my pups litter ended up having 6 out of 6 tested in the natural Ability testing get Prize I scores. I don’t believe that there are any guarentees but do believe repeat breedings improves the odds of getting what your looking for.
@Kevin, that’s an interesting point you bring up, thanks for adding it to the conversation. – Anthony
Hi Anthony, very good topic for disscussion as I believe so many of us have been in this situation. I both wanted a hunting dog and to adopt a dog that needed a home. I started by looking online at shelters for dogs with strong lab looks and that were about 1 year old. Without knowing their history I figured by a year old I could discern somewhat the breeds besides lab that also would be mixed in if any. I talked with the shelters about their temperment, if they were skittish or confident etc…afraid of loud noise and if they showed strong retrieving tendencies. I thought I could stack the deck in my favor that way but could never know for certain. I lucked out with 2 great upland dogs. A spaniel mix and a lab/setter mix, I think. I admit its more chancy than going with a reputible hunting dog breeder but I’m so glad I did it! I got a little lucky and I hope the dogs think they did as well. Good luck, choosing a training a dog to be in the field is like no other experience!
@Josh, great things worked out so well for you. Happy hunting to you and your pooches this autumn! – Anthony
i got a jack russell because he was free and everybody said you cant train one to bird hunt. well he bird hunts, everything but goes in the water for ducks, and started treeing squirrels on his own. he’s put up pheasants, grouse, woodcock, ducks , geese(w/out going in the water) turkeys, trees squirrels, runs rabbits, tracks foxes and yotes, and kills the groundhogs living on the farm. hows that for versatile!
You know, everyone talks about blood lines being critical, and it does make sense, but is there more than opinion or anecdotal testimony? I’m on my my 6th GSP, and I’ve never had the money or the luxury of tracking down blood lines when I get them as pups. Yet they’ve all performed well and have been great all-round family/hunting dogs. I’m thinking their innate skills are a given and that nurture trumps nature. Is there really any hard evidence to justify all the pedigree hype?
@David – I think 6 GSPs make you an expert, sounds like you’ve done things the right way! – Anthony
Go Jack Russell Terrier Josh!!! I have rat terriers and have yet to train one to hunt on my Faulk County SD property but may be selling and moving back to MN where they would have a larger property to run and hunt on than the 10 acres here. I know they will hunt for everything else but still don’t know about pheasants – don’t they have to be a more calm dog? dixiebk@yahoo.com Just wondering – I’m a newbie here. I completely understand the lineage and genetic factors as I used to breed Arabian horses and there was always a lineage factor in showing but every once and awhile an unknown would take the show. Everybody would root for that one. Well,,,, except for the large breeder competition. *chuckles* Awesome posts here!