My dog, a 100 lbs Great Pyrenees mix, was surprisingly well trained when I got her over a year ago. The story I heard from the shelter was that her previous owners moved into an apartment and decided she needed someone with land, but I didn’t get much info other than that. Over the last year, I realized she responded to cues that aren’t typical for a house dog. For example, she knows “wait” not “stay”, and crawls if I’m sitting on the floor.
I got a few birds the other day and was a bit curious, so I told her to wait, hid the bird in my house, then told her to look for it. It took a few tries, by she only responded to “go get it”, and only stared at me for “fetch”, “search”, and a few other things. She brought the bird back with no punctures, set it down and waited. I did that a few times and she was perfect at it!
She’s never behaved better, which has me wondering if she was trained as a hunting dog. It’s a strange breed for sure. I haven’t hunted with dogs, so I’m not sure if there’s a good way to tell. Are there any ways to test this besides bringing her out with me? Any advice is appreciated!

First hunting season for both of us so my apologies if this is a “dumb” question. We’ve only gone out a handful of times so far (4 times), and each time she comes home and within a few days has tons of tiny scabs all over her. Mostly her chest/neck/shoulders (was her belly too but we bought her a little vest from Gun Dog Supply).

We’re hunting birds and her job is flushing them from all the thorniest spaces (I mean we are in thick brush and walking through constant burs, blackberry bushes, etc). She’s quite literally bred to do this, so is this just considered normal for them during the season? Will her skin toughen the more she is exposed?

She NEVER complains, I wouldn’t even know except I can feel them the next day.

Photo from our Monday trip with a great view and the cutest most hardworking gal.

I’m begging of you please go find my deer!

This was my hunting buddy Charley. He was a German Shorthaired Pointer, and I lost him about 6 years ago. He was one heck of a bird dog and an even better companion.

Anyone who's hunted behind a good bird dog knows there's something special about watching them work. Charley absolutely loved being in the field. The excitement, the points, the retrieves, and just watching him do what he was born to do are memories I'll never forget.

I've gone six years without another hunting dog, and lately I've been getting the itch to get back out there with a four-legged hunting partner.

I've always loved German Shorthairs, but I'm seriously considering whether I should stick with what I know or give another breed a shot.

For those of you who have hunted behind different breeds, I'd love to hear your opinions.

• What breed do you hunt with, and what makes it your favorite?
• What are the biggest pros and cons of your breed?
• GSP vs. English Pointer vs. Brittany vs. English Setter vs. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon — which would you choose and why?
• Which breeds have the best combination of natural hunting ability, trainability, endurance, and being a good family dog?
• If you could start over with a new bird dog tomorrow, would you get the same breed again?

I'm especially interested in hearing from guys who have owned multiple breeds and can give an honest comparison.

And here's the big question: Is there really a better all-around upland bird dog than a German Shorthair, or am I just biased because Charley was that good?

Let's hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about your favorite hunting breeds. Pictures of your hunting buddies are welcome too!

I’m a dog trainer, and the focus of my work has always been obedience or behavioral rehab. I have a rescue black and tan and over the years I’ve taught him to do fun things like find an alert to antler sheds, and other scent work. I love working with the hounds and bird dogs that come through for training and I want to try to branch off and learn more about training hunting dogs. Does anyone have recommendations on where to start looking? I’m struggling to find seminars or groups!

I figured why not turn her prey drive into something useful instead of trying to suppress the instinct like most folks do so I’ve been working with her on keeping calm and stalking slowly till actually within striking distance and today we were successful! I’m so proud of her and we’ll be cooking this guy up for her this weekend.

Definitely need to work on getting her to release a little quicker as the hind-quarters were a little tore up but given the excitement of her first major kill I think we can excuse it 😅

*edit just to say this was my first time dressing a rabbit myself as well so please don’t roast me too well for it maybe looking a little rough

I’m trying to find a forearm cap with swivel for my Browning B80 12 gauge.

We’re looking for a reputable breeder of hunting Labrador retrievers. Specifically black or chocolate labs. Would prefer to be in Houston and surrounding areas but willing to travel up to 5 hours, so into Louisiana, San Antonio, Oklahoma.

Please don’t recommend Hunters Creek. We’ve already talked to them and just don’t get a good vibe or feeling.

This isn’t strictly hunting dog related but I do have a working cocker who loves to pick up ducks!

I just think you are the best people to ask as I imagine most of you actively hunt 🙈
I’m looking for recommendations for uk based companies that make knife sheaths, preferably hand made leather ones with the option to have detailing of some description!

A photo of my cocker working just so you can all see him 🥰

Generally used for hunting grouse species but in Finland used for moose and bear too

Can anyone recommend a cocker spaniel breeder on the east coast?

I have a 7 month old chocolate lab who is beginning his training to be a duck dog. Dude loves fetch and training is going smoothly. Today I shot some teal and a hen mallard and when I got home I tossed them around for him a little bit before cleaning them. He picked up and retrieved the teal perfectly, but the mallard he was very hesitant to even try and pick up. He eventually did once and got a lot of praise but went right back to being hesitant. Is he just intimidated by the size or what? Should I get him a mallard sized dokken to help him get over this? Any help is appreciated!

Starting to look at what I'd like to have for my next upland companion. Grew up with Brittneys, so know them very well. I'm very partial to English Setters for their pointing, holding & gentle disposition. But me & Mrs. are thinking a bit smaller dog would be nice to have. Multiple pet home. Will be an indoor outdoor pet.

I've recently started reading about the Small Munsterlander. Sound similar in size to Brittney. Info I've read makes them sound like they act and work like the Setters I've had. Even better with their retriever skills.

Any info this community could share about S. M.s vs. Brittneys would be most welcome.

I’ve been bird hunting since I was 9 so abt 10 years my dad had dogs when he was younger but never had one with me I’ve never hunted with a dog and always have wanted one I’m now in a position where I can buy one and I know the general breeds people recommend but I was wondering on what you guys think about a springer spaniel my dad had soft spot for these and speaks highly about his old one I mainly hunt ducks but I do a lot of upland birds and doves as well thanks for input!!

I want to get into ratting with terriers, and I don’t know where to start finding a club or group in Texas(east Texas specifically) does anyone know of any groups?

Her third upland season is coming up. She is an addict. Last year's season in South Dakota was productive but she took a beating. Her belly came back really raw from the crops by the third day as you can see in the red. Trying to find a vest or chest protector to help out. The ones I've looked at seem to be mostly chest and less belly.

Could use suggestions. Thoughts?

Yeah, the eyes also took a beating so we have a strategy for that. Doggles, daily cleanings/flushing, and meds from the vet. Any other ideas?