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Post by MK-M-GOBL on Feb 10, 2008 21:44:58 GMT
Can anyone suggest a good book or information on them? I'm thinking of getting one for hunting grouse and would like to know about training it myself. Thanks in advance
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Scout
Poult
Pro Staff
Posts: 437
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Post by Scout on Feb 10, 2008 23:33:18 GMT
MK I don't know of anyone that works with short hairs, but don't rule out springers. I have one and she is great on grouse, woodcock, and pheasant. If you think that is something you might be interested in I can give you a couple of contacts. They are all top notch breeders and have champion lines.
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Post by regnar on Feb 11, 2008 3:33:09 GMT
Tom, Best decision you would ever make. These dogs (actually any of the Versital dogs) are AMAZING. They are called versital because they are expected to and trained to do many things. Point and retrieve upland, steady to the shot in a duck blind, long water retrieves, blind searches, blood tracking (small game or big game), scent tracking and all the while being the most loyal dog you will ever own. I say all that after owning and hunting black labs, golder retrievers and springers in my life. Look further down in this forum for some of pictures of my GSP, JUDY. You want to talk about a rabbit dog!!!!!!!!!!!! If you are serious about one of these this is what you should do. First go to www.navhda.com/, this is the home page of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Assc. Read all you want. The best part about owning a versatile dog is you dont have to train her by your self. This org. is about training and promoting the breed and they have dozens of training clinics year round that are free or next to free. Second go to onpointkennel.com. A friend that I made through NAVHDA owns this site and lives in Deerfield. He has become one of the best trainers in the country and a judge who is paid to travel the world to judge these compitions. Best part is he and his wife are awsome people who are always helping new guys. They also raise dogs that are SUPER!! I have hunted with a few of his dogs and to say they are incredible is an understatement. If you email him and tell him I sent you his way he will be more than happy to help you out. Never being one to miss an opportunity to start a lively debate I will say this ;D I will put a versatile dog up against any hunting lab as far is retrieving goes. Only advantage the lab has is in VERY cold water as some breeds of the versatile dogs have very short and thin hair. I will also put a versatile dog that has been allowed to run rabbits up against any rabbit dog. THe problem with my dog is she gets to dam close to the rabbit!!! Need to track a wounded deer? leave the bloodhound at home. Well ok, maybe not quite as good as a blood hound but the GSP has bloodhound in them!! If you want to get together and watch my dog run let me know. If you know of some rabbits that are local I will bring her up and run her for you. Good luck
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Post by MK-M-GOBL on Feb 11, 2008 13:34:37 GMT
Good information regnar I'll be checking out that site this afternoon. I am pretty serious about getting one. I've got this sweet 20ga that needs to be companied by a sweet bird dog!
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Post by MK-M-GOBL on Feb 11, 2008 21:42:40 GMT
Spoke with Dave for about 40 minutes today. Full of some great information! I'm going to do some reading up on the GSP and will be seeing him this spring. Probably after turkey season seeing I don't need to miss out on any time in the woods chasing gobblers Thanks again bud
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Post by regnar on Feb 12, 2008 1:45:07 GMT
No problem. Dave is a great guy and full of info. If you get a chance to go to a NAVHDA event before turkey season make a point of it. They have a training day in Lee in April. You would be amazed at how well the puppies do. They also hold several events at the sharps farm in hopkinton.
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Post by vtdeertracker on Feb 21, 2008 0:27:36 GMT
regnar did you say you blood trail with your dog? or was it someone elses? I too bloodtrail here in VT but wouldnt give up my Lab for any other breed!!!!
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Post by regnar on Feb 21, 2008 3:09:59 GMT
I have but my friend has dogs that are Certified through the Deutsch Kurzhaar of Germany. One of his dogs actually went to Germany to do the test. I know that labs have an awsome nose but dont forget that a GSP has Blood hound nose in them. No matter what type of dog it is amazing to watch them tack.
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Post by vtdeertracker on Feb 21, 2008 21:20:32 GMT
oh I know its amazes me everytime he trails a deer and last blood was over a mile back and theres the deer lying dead....just amazing. I wish I did it years ago before I started( which was 8 years ago) never realized just how many deer get wounded and never found. My lab I have been running for 8 years is getting up there in age and I have now started my younger dog (half black lab half beagle) she's a hand full but hell of a sniffer on her
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