Once again Thunder would like to thank everyone for all of the well wishes. He will get his staples out tonight…one step closer to no cone!
We appreciate all of the comments we receive and read each and every one. Every once in a while we make one the subject of a post. 
Our friend lexy3587 over at Gone For A Walk asked the following question:
I know you do drills and tests about hunting, but do you actually duck-hunt and use your dogs for that?
The answer is yes we do! The 2 brown dawgs were originally purchased as hunting dogs. The Mr. is an avid waterfowl hunter and wanted dogs that could stand up to the harsh weather we can get up here toward the end of the season, (late November/early December). He is also an upland hunter, and wanted a breed that could do that too.
Thunder Opening Day 2010
The breeders we got our dogs from breed conformationally correct, (meaning structure, coat, temperament) hunting dogs. Both Thunder and Storm’s breeders hunt their dogs, which was important to us. Both dogs have a mix of field and bench champions in their pedigrees, so while technically they were not bred as “hunt test” dogs, they have all of the natural ability to run them.
Storm Harsen's Island Hunt
But most importantly, they are phenomenal hunting dogs. You can send Thunder into the thickest marsh after a bird and he will come up with it. Storm is an excellent upland dog and will thrash through the thickest cover to flush and retrieve the birds.
MCBRC Duck Hunting Tournament October 2010 (Dogs are Thunder and his daughter Smokey)
Hunt test training is a way to work with the dogs in the off-season. In fact, the Mr. was bitten by the “hunt test” bug after running Thunder in a “Working Dog” stake when Thunder was 16 months old. Most dogs would already be running Junior Hunter stakes at that age, so Thunder got into it a little late. However, Thunder already had a hunting season, (both waterfowl and upland) under his belt by the time he ever ran a test.
Storm's First Pheasant Hunt
At first we just trained them for their Junior Hunter tests. Once they earned those titles and we knew they had the ability, we decided to try for their Senior Hunter titles. The Senior Test requires more skills than the Junior Hunter tests, (and we are novice trainers), so it has taken us some time to get them ready. However, the skills needed to pass the test, such as marking, steadiness, handling, and delivery to hand are all skills that you would want in a trained hunting dog.
Thunder and Stella and their birds
Since they are hunting dogs, they take a good part of the Fall off from training. Grouse season starts September 15th and goes right into duck season which starts the beginning of October. This year they may run a few hunt tests in the Fall and of course we hope that Thunder is fully recovered in time for hunting season.
As much as the 2 brown dawgs enjoy hunt testing, once hunting season starts, they just want to get out in the marsh, or in the field, and do what they have been bred to do.
Storm Grouse Hunting 10-30-2010
Thanks again to lexy3587 for the question which inspired this post.
Related posts:
See more pictures of them from hunting seasons past on the Hunting Page.
Read about my one and only “hunting” experience– “Things I Learned Pheasant Hunting”.
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What a great story!! It’s good to know that you are using your pups for their intended purpose, and that’s what makes them (and you) happy!
Ironic….I was just thinking that same question today
I was also remembering the story my cousin told me about one of his hunting buddies. He has a mini Dachshund and says that they make great bird dogs (small game of course), expecially in dense unerbrush. Imagine that!
I have heard that Dachshunds are good small game hunters. I could see that their size would of use in dense cover.
Sometimes I think someone may have tried to train Delilah as a hunting dog; but she doesn’t have a soft mouth and I think she would actually try and eat anything she ‘caught.’ She does love to chase chipmunks and squirrels; while I don’t hunt I thought I might like to try some kind of tracking or scent training, but so far I haven’t done any of that. If you had any suggestions on something I could do with her, that would be wonderful.
(If I’m not imposing.)
Glad to hear Thunder is on the mend!
Oh another great idea for a post! Stay tuned!
Have you all ever been to SEWE in Charleston (South Eastern Wildlife Exposition)? There’s a lot of booths and tents set up specific to hunting dogs. I really enjoyed the event there were a lot of great competitions and sessions put on.
No we have never been there. Charleston is on the list of places we would love to visit. It sounds really cool. Maybe someday!
Very cool. I had figured it was likely, but, as I’ve only been reading your blog since the late winter, I hadn’t seen any mention of hunting. My neighbour hunts with his dogs, though so far as I know, he never did any hunt tests with them.
I could definitely see how a dog would have a lot of fun going out hunting, and the tests are a great idea for keeping your dogs trained for it.
I appreciate the question and idea for a post since I don’t have any new training pictures.
Chessies are born for just such a task. Your pups look to do an amazing job at it. Storm on his stand is stunning. Congrats on getting the staples removed tonight. Thunder will be thrilled as are you I am sure. : )
The picture of Storm on the stand was taken with our old Kodak pocket digital camera. Last season was the first to take that along on hunting trips, so I am hoping for more pictures from the marsh this season.
Thunder was very happy to be rid of the staples (and the cone).
Great post! Looks like your two know how to get the job done. I wish we had more hunting available around here. Waterfowl is more common and that is half the reason the Mr. got a lab, so he could do both if it presented itself. Yes Luna might do some duck hunting too, but I wouldn’t even want her in the water past a point due to her lack of coat, and honestly there is a slight chance she would give us a look of “screw that, you go get in that water and get the duck”. Hopefully the Mr. can get his lab on some ducks/geese this year. I like that your breeder breeds conformationally correct hunting dogs, do you find that’s pretty common in your breed? I can say hunting doesn’t seem to be a stressed field when it comes to conformation Vizslas.. Sad really, as I don’t feel it should be that way at all. They should be able to do both IMO.
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
I can see where the colder water would not be good for Luna. Not only does she not have the coat for it, but also she doesn’t have much body fat for insulation. When Thunder was young, he was all muscle and so lean he didn’t have much insulation either. Our dogs are still pretty lean and that is why they wear vests in colder water.
In our breed, many puppy buyers are looking for hunting dogs so the breeders tend to maintain hunting ability even if the dogs are from long lines of bench champions. I am sure there are dogs at either end of the spectrum (field dogs lacking in conformation and show dogs lacking in hunting ability), but on the whole most dogs we know that are shown can also be hunted.
Both Stella and Smokey pictured in my post are bench champions (and both have their Junior Hunter titles and Smokey also has her Rally Advanced title).