Bird Hunting Advice

[Kansas Bound]

My Brittany is over 8 years old and we like to hunt for pheasants all day but he is slowing down and does not know when to stop. I tried to leave him in the vehicle every other place we hunt (hunt 2 hours then 2 hour brake) but he goes nuts and almost hurts himself trying to get our of his crate.

How does everyone else deal with this besides conditioning because he can only go so long since is age is increasing and his drive is the same.

 

[dakotasin]

I alternate fields instead of places. Hunt one field, kennel the dog, hunt another then release the hound.

I think you are giving a bit much downtime.

If that isn't practical, find a method of shorter more frequent breaks.

 

[buck460XVR]

an eight year old bird dog is in his prime...unless he has hip problems or some other congenital issue, hunt him till he drops. He'll let you'll know when he's ready to quit. His slowing down is probably only him gettin more thorough as he matures.

 

[Kansas Bound]

Thanks for the advice. Does anyone know who sells some of the best brittany pups in the midwest? I might be looking to add one to the family in the future.

 

[GSPKurt]

He'll let you'll know when he's ready to quit.

I'd have to disagree there. Most hard driving bird dogs won't quit until they're almost dead. I'd say you're resting him a little too much, though.

Good Britts? Contact Nolan Huffman at Beeline Brittanys. Nolan's Last Bullet (Buddy) has redefined what a Britt can accomplish in the field!

Beeline Brittanys

 

[ArmedBear]

How's the temperature? Hot and sunny out?

Dogs die from overheating, not enjoying themselves.

If it's hot out, go to a garden store and buy a plant mister. Keep the dog damp for evaporative cooling, and give him water. Works great here in the desert climate.

He won't know when to quit, but I don't see that he'll die from hunting if he doesn't overheat.

He's got 3 seasons to recover.

 

[wleggart]

I have personal experience with several brittany's. I primarily hunted them in So. La. for woodcocks and a few quail. They are dogs that hunt with a walking hunter. Heat can be an issue, but if you have spent the time with your dog that you should (obviously you have!) you know when it needs water, jump in the Bayou, or take a breather under the truck because you probably need the same. In S. Dakota every opening weekend you hear about dogs dying from heat stroke, and it happens. I have hunted my black lab, and two Chesapeakes there in the same conditions, and they are fine! The black lab would come to heal when she needed a rest, and the chesapeaks hunt so close that they don't have a problem with running themselves hot. Water and good sense are the key. By the way, my second choice is a Brittany. My first is the Chesapeake. They both are loving and smart. They have personalities and are a joy to hunt with. Oh, I ride 4-7 miles per day 3-4 days a week on my bike with my dog at heel year round. I can just see her ribs, and I almost never need to trim her nails. Do you exercise yourself and your dog? Bill

 

[Kansas Bound]

Yes we both are conditioned very well. The problem I am experiencing is that when he was 3 or 4 we could hunt a very hard 8 hours straight but now he can only go about 5-6 hard and then tends to drag just a little. The problem is if I leave him behind he just goes crazy that he is not hunting.

 

[wleggart]

Ahhhhh! I have seen that in dogs left in the kennel while others are in the field. Barking, scratching and generally being a pain in the A__! I make a point of sending Sam (the Chesapeake) to her kennel any time I have the whim. Try having your Brit spend some time in the kennel for no reason. Like, tonight when you are cooking supper or sitting on the porch enjoying this excellent weather. Trainers call it seperation anxiety, and it could be interpreted as wanting to get out of the kennel and go hunting or simply wanting to be with you! I find Brits very quick to learn and don't require much retraining. Is it barking when in the kennel? Typically a well adjusted adult dog does not bark just because it is being restrained. I travel thru Kansas, but have not bird hunted there. I hunt the Wessington Springs area of S. Dakota. 1100 miles from Little Rock, and worth every mile of it. Have a great hunt! Bill

 

[Kansas Bound]

Ya now that I think about it probably is some sort of seperation anxiety. If I leave him in the kennel in the back of the truck he does OK until he hears the shotgun sounding off or he knows that other dogs are hunting and he is not. We have worked on heal so maybe that is the best route instead of just totally leaving him behind.