Thread: How much should I look into trials?

Originally Posted by stug

If you want to use it for Deer and birds, realise it will probably do one better than the other. If you want it to mainly hunt deer, then focus the training in this direction. In NZ this would mean lots of heeling, working by your knee while moving quietly through the bush.
This training will probably limit the dogs range while working birds, but that is the compromise you must accept.
A good dog though will quickly work out the difference between working birds and deer and change its behaviour accordingly.
Whichever you decide as the main focus, get the dog working well before training for the other.

I figured something like that might be the case. Out of the two definately deer is the one though, I like duck and quail hunting but doesnt phase me if I dont do it - think I only shot one duck last year and that was just because I hadnt got a hardhead before.

As GQhoon said, have you seen the parents working? I think if you had, you may reconsider one as a deer dog.

I would say if deer is your main species you hunt then a brittany probably isn't the best choice. Even if you do screw it down enough for deer, neither man nor beast will be happy with the arrangement. You will be forever hacking him back in, he will forever wanting to range out like they are bred to do, and do well.

Do I place faith in trials results? Depends on the trials. NZ pigeon trial? No. Australian trials where they shoot birds over the dog and retrieve on the spot? Absolutely

cheers for the feedback there pointer, the breeds question was a big bine of conjecture for han and I. I dont wont a big hyper boistorous dog around kids or a whiner so that ruled out GSP and vizsla, I cant stand labs so they were never an option and han doesnt like GWP so this was a fair compromise. the plan will be to do a lot more birding than I currently do but I'm going to try to make deer hunting fun for the dog so it likes it as much as I can. If only there was a dog that liked hunting as much as me I'd be in heaven!

hunting deer that is

The cook loved one of my wires and hated the other. Tits n tires.

Just get a wire and set of hair clippers B_H. Missus will never know

Originally Posted by Pointer

I need to see an improvement out of you guys. This thread is 10 hours old and no one has been butthurt yet. Sort it out, the lot of yas

Thats cause no one has yet mentioned e-collars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Pointer

Just get a wire and set of hair clippers B_H. Missus will never know

I'm not much of a barber, might end up like this

haha I'm sure the Mrs will love him. Her. It