Bird Dogs - A Valuable Investment for Bird Hunters!

A bird dog is a great asset to any bird hunt. They are often able to flush out game that a hunter alone would never have known was there, and they are a great asset when trying to hunt down your kill. There are some rules to follow though before purchasing a bird dog.

There are many breeds out there that are good for bird hunting, but that doesn't mean that any dog within that breed will be a good bird dog. There are many characteristics that come into play when choosing your dog, and they all can be evaluated when meeting with the breeder.

When choosing a breeder to get your dog from, the most important thing to do is research. Not all dog breeders are created equal. Make sure that they are recognized by the state; although it may be cheaper to go through someone who isn't registered, you also don't know what you're getting. Once you've settled on a breeder, there are a few questions to ask to help narrow down dogs.

The first question should be about the dog's heritage. Dogs are bred for generations for certain characteristics; ask about the dogs that parented your
potential dog, even the grandparents and great grandparents. A great bird dog will come from a long line of great bird dogs.

Another factor that goes into choosing a dog is temperament. Get down to the dog's level and play with it, give him commands and see how he listens. If the dog will be around children, be sure he's a dog that can be trusted with them.

Also, test his retrieving ability, all dogs like to play fetch, good bird dogs have singular concentration, they will be able to retrieve something amidst a lot of distractions. Another important question to ask your breeder is if the dog has had all the proper immunizations. Any breeder worth his money will be very up to date on shots, and will probably even be able to give you specific dates each dog was immunized.

Also ask to see the breeder's certification by the state, if the breeder is unwilling to show you this, there's a reason for it, what else might he be hiding? Many good breeders will also want to stay in touch with their buyers and will offer a sort of guarantee.

If for whatever reason you're not happy with the dog in the future, breeders will often prefer that the dog be brought back to them. You're on trial too! Every breeder wants their dogs to go to a good home where they'll be both used, and loved.