Hunting Dogs

“You get what you pay for” is an old and well-worn phrase that has become an American byword against buying less expensive products. But is it really true? In our 21st century world, is quality always related to cost?

Who among us doesn’t have high hopes for the pups we bring into our lives? We research breeders and bloodlines, we feed our chosen pup a proper diet, and we spend years training it as our hopes and skills dictate.

I’ve said this before, but it's worth repeating: High-quality hunting dogs are made up of genetics, training and nutrition. If any part of this trio is below par, a dog’s performance will be reduced, particularly at higher levels of work and expectation.

Certain schools of contemporary thought advocate that, under appropriate conditions, a pup should stay with its litter until it’s 10 weeks old. But this doesn’t mean that every breeder will go along with such wishes.

Done properly, forced-retrieve training instills confidence and makes further training easier.

Hunters, especially early on in the tune-up process, should closely monitor the condition of their dogs' feet.

A hunting dog's most prized trait is its great olfactory ability, and the good sense to use it wisely.

Breaking the myths of getting your dog "fixed."

Whether your canine partner is a finished hunter or a partially trained meat dog, if you're content with him, you're ahead of the game.