Thread: Pup for family pet and deer stalking

Hi guys , i am keeping an eye out for a suitable pup as a family pet and that i could train for deer stalking. I was thinking a gsp x lab?. I have seen some huntaway x smithfield x collie but they would probably need to be worked hard? Dont want something that cant handle being at home while im at work. Thanks

My experience with GSP and these dog types was many years ago, I found that they didn't like been left at home alone and let the world know. Have used heading, eye dogs for many years and have had great success with them. Have a border collie- eye dog now and she is great, indicates but will also catch a pig. The time you can spare getting them going is of the most importance, control is no1.

So you cant see too many problems with the huntaway Smithfield collie cross?

Originally Posted by matto1234

So you cant see too many problems with the huntaway Smithfield collie cross?

Have not used that combination, have used Smithfield cross as pig dogs. Find that lightweight dogs are ideal as they are quieter in the bush and don't puff and pant as much when it's hot. You never know what you have until you try it. For every one that makes the grade,
thousands will fall by the way.

How does that happen? Too much play and not enough work/training? Is there any guide to training for deer stalking?

It really doesn't matter what the cross is, people will sit over a drink or 30 and pontificate on the most inane shit.... All dogs hunt, some better than others. Those with tons of natural ability are often wasted, those with bugger all can be made to look outstanding with diligent training. Deer dogs can be anything from a Jack Russell to a Rottweiler depending on your preference... Deer dogs are also the easiest to train by a country mile, the most basic discipline out there for a hunting dog. Still usually f***d up by most... Keep it simple, take it hunting, do the basics, take it hunting more, repeat the basics, keep hunting. It'll be OK.

Originally Posted by matto1234

How does that happen? Too much play and not enough work/training? Is there any guide to training for deer stalking?

Teach it to heel or stay close then go hunting. Job done.

Sweet thanks fellas! Going to get something from farm working lines.

My Collie cross which is 9 years old and gets out 3 to 5 days a week still has "blonde" moments, another young pig dog I have is Rottie- Ridgeback, have taken her out on her own and shot deer over her also. Being retired and having a VERY understanding wife means I have the time to put into them, which makes hell of a difference.

Realistically i would get 3-4 full days hunting a month but i aim to do more over nighters in the summer months. All i want is something that i can take for runs/walks each day and go hunting with on weekends. Has anyone got any experience with the thai ridgeback breed?

dont get a kiddy eater. keep it simple with a lab or lab cross pointer. any dog will indicate deer but some dogs will be easy to train and less highly strung.

Originally Posted by matto1234

Hi guys , i am keeping an eye out for a suitable pup as a family pet and that i could train for deer stalking. I was thinking a gsp x lab?. I have seen some huntaway x smithfield x collie but they would probably need to be worked hard? Dont want something that cant handle being at home while im at work. Thanks

personally mate seriously look at a wirehair, I lost my in a accident earlier this year and I am on a waiting list for a new one, great with the family and great in the bush. really miss having my mate around but look forward to the next girl.

Im in the same boat , really need/want a mate for in the bush aswel as a family pet but im really unsure as to what breed to go with.
not really keen on a pure lab as have been around them a few times in the scrub and on a hot day they tend to be quite noisey so was thinking more a working dog type breed that tends to be light on its feet with a few brains , what say you fellas?

Originally Posted by madmaori

Im in the same boat , really need/want a mate for in the bush aswel as a family pet but im really unsure as to what breed to go with.
not really keen on a pure lab as have been around them a few times in the scrub and on a hot day they tend to be quite noisey so was thinking more a working dog type breed that tends to be light on its feet with a few brains , what say you fellas?

Thats what im thinking madmaori

Originally Posted by matto1234

Thats what im thinking madmaori

Its so hard to pick a breed when there is so many different opinions of people out there.. @tetawa seems to know what hes talking about though