Originally Posted by
Ugo
Dilly/Welsh, you are dead on in my books. Dogs not only know game birds from song-type birds, they know woodcock from grouse, etc. and will point them with quite a diverse style/posture.
Using starlings et al is unequivocally a recipe for disaster.
Fff, I once ran a dog in a trial and finally found success even though my mentor had been telling me for some time my dog was awesome. When I finally reached this pinnacle, I proudly walked back from the bird field with my dog to say to my mentor, "He did really well didn't he?!?"
My mentor responded, "Yup...he did, in spite of his handler (meaning me)."
Your gorgeous setter might overcome treating starlings as game because she is one SUPER dog.