Thread: What dog breed ( or cross breed ) do you deer indicate with?

After 14 years with a giant Rhodesian Ridgeback, I'm starting to look for a new companion to join me on deer hunting trips. A friend of mine has a Vizsla, and I really like the smaller size compared to the big dog I'm used to.

What are the pros and cons you've experienced with your dog so far?

Feel free to share any photos!

Well i have just said good bye to my 10.5 year old Vizsla....great companion in the bush, shot many deer over her. If i were to get another dog i would likely go with a heading dog or heading dog x with V or GSP i think

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Vizsla, being my first indicating dog I can't really compare but the only issue I can think of is they get cold easily. Vizslas only have one layer of fur so are susceptible to the cold, it's only an issue when you stop moving or during the night so a good jacket is important.

I have two ex DOC culler mates and they are on their second and third generation spaniel heading dog cross - My mates dog Spy is just magic to work with - I think the only problem really when stalking with him and Spy one tends to watch the dog all the time - the spaniel part helps with winter conditions and river crossings - the heading dog settles the dog down and they indicate well - many of our DOC hunters tried Vizla and a good one is a good and even great dog - but young they are idiots and dont like river crossings and cold - they need someone who can train dogs well - ridge backs I used to breed them back in the early seventies - worked them on goats and pigs - can be great but they do have a sneaky side - my bitch was a great guard dog -

spanner in works time!
years back i went to a gun dog show, this involved blank firing shotguns then the release of a duck decoy centre lake. huge amounts of retrievers, labs etc but the full size (not foo foo size) poodle outswam and had more endurance than everything else.
had a word to the owner afterwards as i was seriously impressed and was told it was a great deer dog and pig finder (definitely not a bailer) though.
dog had a regular clip on it not that weird patchy looking thing they do at dog show. owner had serious allergies to dog fur but poodles are more of a wool so the occasional bath and clip and he was ok with it.

Pudelpointers were one of the mainstay gunshots back in the day and used in the development of the GWP and other versatile gun dogs.

Originally Posted by stug

Pudelpointers were one of the mainstay gunshots back in the day and used in the development of the GWP and other versatile gun dogs.

and yet everyone thinks poodles are handbag dog, the full size ones ( and no i dont have one) are damn amazing.
as you are in rolly feel free to come round for a coffee.

Gsp/lab/beardie. And now gwp/lab/border collie-heading dog not lassie type,will be interesting to see how I get on with poppy as have put very little training time in with her as she is just so bidable n Smoochie.

I have a vizsla/ wirehaired vizsla. She's small at 2 years 25ish kilo which helps throwing her over fences and obstacles. Best part about vizslas is versatility we go from shooting deer in the morning to chasing pheasants in the afternoon .
More training input required then some other breeds but we'll worth it.

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I think it's been proven time and time again now that the heading dog crosses are awesome hunting dogs, put them over any of the more "traditional" hunting breeds and you get those hunting traits, strong nose, prey drive etc, then the heading dog makes them smart, easy to train, eager to please a master (not just themselves) quiet etc, basically takes away all the less desirable stuff that shows up in the "purebreds"

Originally Posted by gonetropo

spanner in works time!
years back i went to a gun dog show, this involved blank firing shotguns then the release of a duck decoy centre lake. huge amounts of retrievers, labs etc but the full size (not foo foo size) poodle outswam and had more endurance than everything else.
had a word to the owner afterwards as i was seriously impressed and was told it was a great deer dog and pig finder (definitely not a bailer) though.
dog had a regular clip on it not that weird patchy looking thing they do at dog show. owner had serious allergies to dog fur but poodles are more of a wool so the occasional bath and clip and he was ok with it.

not sure they would catch on in a hurry even though could be good but imagine the yak around the fire at the hut " so the missus made ya take her precious tiddles out for a walk did she "

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

I think it's been proven time and time again now that the heading dog crosses are awesome hunting dogs, put them over any of the more "traditional" hunting breeds and you get those hunting traits, strong nose, prey drive etc, then the heading dog makes them smart, easy to train, eager to please a master (not just themselves) quiet etc, basically takes away all the less desirable stuff that shows up in the "purebreds"

So a Heading / Vizsla would be a smaller versatile mix. Would just need a coat to keep warm?

]yes a strong eye heading dog can be very settled and work slowly as opposed to a dog that ranges out and keeps moving- cracks me up on some of those hunting videos the dog is just running loose and all one can hear is constant pleas to get in behind as the dogs try's to constantly break - their faults and I have seen it in some of the trial dogs they become fixated on something - a workmates strong eye had a complete fixation with retrieving sticks - perhaps a bit much line breeding ??-a border collie which are mostly a strong eye heading dog crossed with a spaniel would be great and likely not bad on their own - but they need a careful owner as they can be a one person dog and quite shy

I've seen this video of an Ozzie breeder using Pointers with amazing success. A lot to do with having the pick of the litter too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uETBMBDUeiU

that dog is going well and very steady - but one big fault - its way out in front- just to far - in some of our bush it could be out of sight - also one is going to have to shoot over it - better to hand signal the dog in behind