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Ok so I realize that our new puppy (german shepherd) is not know to be a hunting dog but they are smart and I intend to bring her along. So I guess I am wondering if anyone has tried to use a german shepherd to hunt/retrieve and if so what species and how does it seem to perform? Even if she isn't the greatest hunting dog she will still be a good companion for the hunt. I did see a couple videos where they were used a retrievers and one video for hunting pheasants so it should be interesting.
I'm not so sure about GS,but,there used to be a guy around Peterborough that used standard Poodles to hunt Coyote and Brush Wolves that were absolutely N-A-S-T-Y,so,I'm sure it can be done with some other breeds.
My beagle was a better grouse dog than rabbit or deer, weird things can happen.
Trimmer is eluding to poodles, they are originally hunting dogs but not generally trailing dogs, so odd there.
Your shepherd could probably be trained to do a lot more than anyone would give it credit.
Let's see. I trained a terripoo, blue healer, Newfoundlander and a Siberian husky to track deer and bear,find sheds find ducks ,geese and turkeys. Some wouldn't pick up the geese and turkey but stood over them so they wouldn't move.
Start with blood and raw meat,sheds were chew toys. Good luck.
I just had the same conversation with one of my sons if a Dalmatian could be used as a hunting dog.
what do you have to lose. try it it might work out
I have a GS/Rott mix and I bring him on my goose hunts.
He retrieves well but sometimes wants to play with the picked-up geese.
No official training, only few hours at home.
nothing wrong with trying - it's all about the individual dog and how much exposure he gets
just remember that breeding herding dogs means that they try to get rid off as much prey drive as possible.
just to put this into perspective: until the late 1700s, the common man (in most parts of Europe, where our dogs ancestors come from) could not have a dog that hunted. some of the crippling methods used on guard dogs were not an option for herding dogs who needed to run. therefore, a sheperd' s dog with prey drive was soon a dead dog. so, now talk about selective breeding...
so you may have to substitute prey drive based training (which is what a lot of hunting dog training is) with training that incorporates more play and other rewards
PS: I do realize that the German Shepard breed standardization started in the 1880s, but it was only standardization and not design. All the breeding thereafter had nothing to do with hunting either. Again, not saying you shouldn't try, just keep an open mind when it comes to training methods
If you spend enough time with her and make the training interesting It should work . Even if the dog should never be as accomplished as a specialized breed (who knows ?) it would probably do the trick . --- Dogs are individuals , same as humans . --- I wouldn't try to use a Chihuahua for bear- or boar-hunting though . --- Lol --- I once owned an American Water-spaniel who didn't like water at all BUT was an excellent pointer and retriever (on land) . --- Good luck . :DQuote:
Originally Posted by klums
This brief analogy may provide you with your answer; You can drive a nail with a crescent wrench but a hammer is more efficient.
Many dogs can be trained to do "jobs" that they were not originally bred to do but if your plan is do start doing a lot of waterfowl hunting .......
Ding, ding, ding!Quote:
Originally Posted by jobbershunting
Absolutely. What have you got to lose . Enjoy your pup.Quote:
Originally Posted by klums
I also have a black and a yellow lab so its not that I need another hunting dog but I figured I'd try anyhow since she will likely tag along anywhere I go. I'm not looking for professional quality, I've just never owned one before and didn't know if they have a tendency to get side tracked and make it more of a chore to bring her along or not. I hunt my labs for rabbits too, which also is not what they were intended for and certainly not the best choice for rabbits but they listen and have a good nose so that works for me. I assume shepherds can swim well but I don't know. So if I can get her to listen and retrieve and not be scared of the gun I suspect that she will be fine for what I am expecting her to do.
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Originally Posted by Dakota Creek
Had an American Staffordshire that flushed birds like crazy. She sank like a little a lead bar in the water though