Breeding And Training Versatile Hunting Dogs

Breeding & Training Versatile Hunting Dogs for Hunting and Hunt Tests is the first book covering both breeding and training of your versatile dog for upland bird hunting, waterfowling, shed hunting, blood tracking, along with numerous human interest chapters. This book starts with the most insightful and complete explanation of what a quality breeding program involves: how to breed better dogs, how to achieve genetic diversity, selecting the best stud dog, reading a pedigree including the different breeding coefficients and how to use Hunt Test information to support breeding decisions. Bob's Cedarwood Pudelpointers (clients purchasing pups) have seen nearly 400 NAVHDA natural ability test entries across North America with a 90% success rate passing this test since he began his breeding program. Also, 175 NAVHDA utility test entries had a 74% success rate. Bob gives outstanding coverage of how to train your dog for any of the Hunt Test organizations offering natural ability tests as well as their utility tests. Of the 106 dogs Bob trained/handled in NAVHDA's natural ability test he earned 81 Prize 1s and of the 49 dogs trained/handled in utility he earned 15 Prize 1s with all dogs prizing. He has paid his dues in the testing arena and his record speaks for itself. A hunter who sees 80 to 100 days annually in the field supports his knowledge to training for hunting wild birds. This book gives excellent advice on training your dog for hunting. Bob covers chukar hunting tactics, waterfowling from a blind, duck searches, tracking wounded big game and off season shed hunting. You do not want to purchase a versatile pup or plan to test your pup in any of the offered hunt tests without reading this book.

This is a revised and expanded second edition.

Expert instructions in the training method of Delmar Smith, winner of ten national championships, are supplmented with photographs of the fine points and problem situations

You may not realize it, but many of today's most popular dog breeds were actually bred hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago to be expert hunters. Their size, coat, color, behavior, and unique abilities were all carefully selected and engineered to assist in the hunting of game big and small, including deer, foxes, waterfowl, and even rats. Some were also bred to assist on the farm, working as shepherds. Though more often found walking on leash and lounging in living rooms today, these special breeds are still used by modern hunters for the same purposes for which they were originally bred. This book introduces the reader to the various classes, types, and breeds of hunting dogs, their various specialized characteristics, their skills, and their temperament. This is an indispensable guide to anyone considering buying and training a hunting dog, and a fascinating read for any dog, or history, lover.

A comprehensive guide to transforming your dog into a valuable wing-shooting companion in the field and at home. Created by Mike Stewart of Wildrose Kennels, the Wildrose Way is a unique, low-force, positive training method that is field-proven for upland and waterfowl gundogs. The training prepares dogs for versatility—any game, any terrain, any destination—and makes them desirable companions for any situation. Now, for the first time, Stewart’s methods are compiled in one indispensable reference book, fully illustrated with photographs and diagrams. Containing chapters on establishing essential behaviors, the core skills of the hunting retriever, and waterdog finishing work, as well as sidebars on such topics as breed selection and effective canine leadership, this step-by-step book is designed specifically for wing-shooters who want to transform their pup into a gentleman’s gundog.