Teaching a GSD to Hunt? - Page 1

I was just curious if anyone has taught their GSD (or other working breed) to hunt?

I've been debating it with my friend, who says I should train Qira to hunt pheasant for him... but I have no idea how I would even go about it, or if it would even be possible because I have never hunted pheasant, or anything for that matter, before.

GSD's are not generally a pointing breed, but I have caught her doing the whole "freeze frame point" when she is walking and then hears something and stops with her paw in the air. I'm sure there is another way she could "alert" though right? I also know that hunting dogs are generally bred for "softer mouths".

Does anyone have any experience training a hunting dog? I almost want to try just to see if she'll do it, LOL.

Thanks,
~Dawulf~

Anything is possible. These are my thoughts with no research, testing or experimenting. I would think unlikely due to one, the bird dogs are bred for that, years and years. Now we all know GSDs and some other breeds are very intelligent and very trainable. But understand the aspect of fowl hunting. You could Google or pick up some field and stream books and see the life of a bird dog puppy from day one. Usually those hunters have two, three, four and five generations of that line. As soon as pup can walk their paired with the great hunter to pick up his/her great habits. And from the day their "mouthing" they're being taught the soft grip. 

Also, the conditions/elements that the bird dogs have to go through. Thorny patches, thistles etc., Not saying a GSD couldn't get through the same terrain.

Also, my thoughts are (not sure if it's a man thing or just the way that I'm wired?) but say the dog is a WL or has WL in him. His genetics/instincts are directing/wiring him to be one way.  And his "heart"/"soul" has him going this way for his destiny. And you want to change that (and even though the possibility is there) that he could bird hunt would his heart and soul be where it should be? I know, deep. And probably a little stupid.......  But what was the dog meant to do? Meant to be? There's no way in the world he can do both! Bird hunt and bite work of any kind. Just my thoughts.

Alboe, have you ever seen a setter? Not really a short haired dog.

why sure you can any dog that can track can be a flushing dog I run one of my dogs with my brothers bird dogs (english pointer and eng.setter)just take your shepherd to the field get on some birds let them carry around a bird,chase one. its just getting the prey drive going same as bird dog pups a pointer Pro (HiFivekennels)that I know starts them chasing quail at 5wks .Hard part would be to get yours to point but yours seems to do it natural.

Chaz, I need more than one line to understand your thoughts or the route you're taking. Not really sure what you're commenting on? to Me or Dawulf? But if it's me...... The whole package of the hunting dog; Are you saying an Irish Setter? If so, my point is the unlikeliness of taking the GSD and making him into a setter, a pointer, a beagle, a spaniel type dog. Not saying he can't handle terrain due to his hair but overall body structure, pads, feet, tail, ears, snout, face and eyes. Sure our guys and girls can get through things and go where you don't think they could or would but but there's a lot of factors involved with hunting dogs. And if that wasn't what you were implying or going that route then disregard the post.

We're not just talking about a GSD "poniting" or "flushing". The dog still needs to retrieve and bring back the kill or injured. OP question was can his GSD be trained to hunt.

I could take my GSDs out in the woods and they would "freeze" or "ponit" for a squirrel or rabbit or some other creature. That doesn't make them a hunting dog.

If The GSD flushes the pheasant into the open and Dawulf shoots and one flies/dies over a body of water and the GSD looks at Dawulf as if to say "I'm not going in there to retrieve that pheasant" does that make him a hunting dog?

Or if by chance the GSD does retrieve the pheasant in or out of water but shreds the living h*ll out of it. Does that make the GSD a hunting dog?

I can tell you unequivocally that GSDs can hunt within certain limitations. My previous shepherd was excellent at flushing pheasants working best after a cold day with fresh snow where the birds didn't run much. On days like that without a dog even a tight line of hunters will walk right over the top of sitting birds. And, he most definitely retrieved even bringing back runners alive and not mauled. Nothing like a "real" bird dog but very useful (and fun) under the right conditions. Kevin Nance

I see your point Alboe. And the bitework thing has crossed my mind... not that I do any kind of bitework at the moment other then playing tug of war with her and her toys. But hell, my moms golden tugs just as much/hard as my GSD. I'm not even totally sure what all goes into the actual process. Find the bird. Point it out. Bring it back. That's all I really know. I know GSD's are good at tracking (something I've also never trained), and any dog can fetch. I also know that they are super versatile, so I figure there should be nothing to it. But that's just me.

I'm not saying she'd be the next Field Champion of the world. Heck, even if we had to go pick up the bird... sorry, thinking outloud.

As far as the coat type, like Chaz said.... Setters, goldens, spaniels... heck even poodles were bred as hunters, originally. They all are pretty fluffy.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

Just talking bout coat

Dawulf if you would like some info pm me I'll get you some training info threw NAVDA you wont know until you try.....NAVDA(North American Verasitle Hunting Dog Association)