Am I asking too much? “Age range expectations” ™
It’s funny what we aspire to achieve when we get our new pup. We know there is a timeline that every pup must travel yet we sometimes forget we are asking too much too soon.
I suppose the most common thing I hear from hunters is “All I want my dog to do is point/back until I get there to flush the birds, then retrieve it to hand”.
That is actually all 99 percent of us want. It’s called a trained hunting dog with experience.
The truth of the matter is that if you expose your pup to the proper environment, take it hunting on wild birds frequently and are diligent to properly train and correct your dog, you can look forward to a nice bird dog at about age 3 to 4 years of age. Yep, 3 to 4. They are usually awesome and amazing every year thereafter up to age 10 when they are noticably slower due to age.
The above ‘age range abilities’ are what I call “bird dog age range expectations” ™.
There are specific ‘age range expectations’ that a well bred bird dog will usually display. It is also dependent on the pointing dog breed. Some are much faster than others. For example, the English Pointer is usually a faster developing pointing breed compared to say, the Vizsla. Brittanys are generally fast developing and it is not uncommon for them to point / retrieve naturally and be huntable their first year… but not without many mistakes and certainly without the experience expected of an older dog.
Spring is around the corner and pups begin to go home. Last years pups now have a season under their belt and are headed for more training & polishing for next season. Seasoned dogs will rest and enjoy the good life and get refresher conditioning / training as next season nears. No matter the age, there are age specific expecations. Understanding what is ‘normal’ for your pointing breed is important knowledge for you to understand. With understanding, you will be patient and do it right. Without it, you will expect too much too soon.
Happy hunting and give your bird dog a treat for me and tell ‘em “Dave says good dog!”
Most cordially,
Dave
3 comments
Sophie has just turned 4 this season and she has really come on STRONG this fall and winter season, She has pointed and worked with class, Pheasants, Huns, Chukars and wild PA Ruff Grouse. Even her retrieving has improved this winter which I had doubts was ever going to happen, and while not perfect I see progress and I am glad I was patient with that and let it come naturally for her
. She works the cover with a bold confidence. We have become a REAL TEAM in the field. She works a running pheasant now by self relocating which only comes WITH PLENTY of experience on wiley roosters, and is a mark of a really good pheasant dog IMHO. On our preserve this year I have shot no less then 40 + birds over her points this year and that experience is paying off with a dog that has become a joy to hunt over. My hunting buddies who I let hunt with me and Sophie now say things like she may the best pheasant dog they have ever had the pleasure to hunt with. 
. I just smile and agree, sure there was a lot of time in training and we have hunted every week since Thanksgiving and we train 12 months out of the year with breaks for fishing of course 
, but it’s NOW PAYING me back two fold.
Dave along with your good advice I have read here and on the forum; and while I have owned other good britt’s Sophie is on her way to being the BEST CAMPANION GUN DOG I have ever owned.
Thanks
Joe Kuhn
I also think Joe, as we grow, we have better bird dogs though the genetics of the dog may be similar.
I believe the primal instincts of man and dog, working in a close symbiotic relationship afield is truly poetry in motion. The days and weeks afield are humbly self-fulfilling.
I take great pride in recognizing the subtle body language or ‘reads’ my companion gun dog gives me and he for me. It gives me chills just thinking about it.
Hats off to you Joe! Thanks for sharing.
Dave I get those same feeling when I watch my dog too. This Fall I broke in a first time bird hunter, his name is Tim, and I posted a few pics of us on the forum and his first comment after the hunt was “Ya know I don’t know what was more exciting watching your dog work and point the birds or the shooting”.
Well while the shooting is always nice it has almost become anti climatic for me. My motor always gets going watching the dogs body language and moves as she works the birds, it never fails to thill me!
Thanks
Joe
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