That Dog Will Hunt!
What They Can Do Might Surprise You.
Setter-mix gets an introduction to birds - and liked it!
Early in my upland experience a high school buddy of mine and I set out from their farmhouse to hunt pheasants one Opening morning. My ideal hunt would have included a fine bird dog; a slender, athletically built, canine with its nose lifted into the breeze in strikingly dramatic pose. Alas, it would be another season in dogless pursuit of feathered game. Well, that was my anticipation, anyway.
“Why don’t you take Cobaka,” asked my friend’s father as we headed out the door. Likely believing breakfast scraps were on the menu, Cobaka (suh-BAH-ka - Russian for “dog” ), a creature resembling more badger than dog, waddled into the kitchen upon hearing its name. Adorn in coarse silver-grey hair, her aging and over-weight husk pranced around with long claws tapping a dance on the linolium floor. Gaining the undivided attention of her audience, the dog sat; her unsettling bulgy eyes staring upward. Expecting a handout, to each in turn, she flashed a toothy grin from a slightly protruding lower jaw.
If there was ever a complete opposite to my vision of an upland dog, Cobaka would make the starting line-up. “Yeah, that’s a good idea!” was my buddy’s unexpected reply. “Wait, what?! How is that a “good idea?!” I could barely keep my mouth from protesting what my mind cried-out! The question was the most unbelievable thing I had ever heard until that reply became its trump!
In the process of her search for scent, Cobaka’s somewhat smooshed muzzel emitted puffing and wheezing sounds like an asthmatic steam engine. Yet, in robotic fashion, Cobaka raised pheasants left and right! Scuttling through the maze, our flushing fiend’s squat physique proved perfect for rousting roosters from dense cover. Short legs and waddling gait kept her within range of gun breeches stuffed by high-base rounds.
I suspect there was cocker and terrier of some sort - dashund perhaps - whatever the mix, Cobaka was a relentless retriever! Not tall enough to completely lift a pheasant, she would tug it along by the neck until, with a final shake and growl, the bird was left at my friend’s feet. However, the skill was learned from repetitive tosses of knotted rags, you had to distract Cobaka and quickly snatch the bird up to prevent the game of tug-of-war which was part of the original game.
Locating things doesn’t require a pedigree. With encouragement and instruction - and just the right “mix” - many dogs become excellent hunter-gatherers.
“MIxed Breed Wins Overall Champion”
Likely to be a trend, this mixed-breed dog dashed through the agility course to be the first of its kind to win the Westminister championship in nearly 150 years.
This was no miracle-mutt, she was one of several similar stories I’ve witnessed or heard throughout the years. Not bred for the purpose - or, at times, any purpose - dog’s that seem to find enjoyment in a task that benefits both “hu-man and beast” isn’t all that rare, really. I’ve had strong setters enjoy pulling squealing kids across the snow-covered ground like a husky - even had a Gordon Setter hound a blood-trail to recover a wounded buck!
The Gordon, named “Roc”, and I were hunting upland birds on a property joined by my wife. My wife, Shelley, was there to hunt whitetails. Roc and I served the dual-purpose of bird hunting and deer moving; it was an apparently successful combination.
Pushed from its daytime den during our search for birds, a very respectable whitetail buck trotted through Shelley’s bowl-shaped hunting grounds. Jolted into action by the ruckus, Shelley had rifle at the ready when the buck halted at a four-strand, barbedwire, fence. Taking careful aim, Shelley sent the 7mm-08 round downrange just as the buck had decided to leap the fence!
Dropping to the ground on the far side, the obviously wounded buck regained its footing and, progressing along the fenceline, was over the rise! Hearing a shot (or two) Roc and I hunted our way toward the sound until, off in the distance, a frantically waving spouse caught my attention. Apparently, the mortally wounded buck had bedded in tall grass along the fence and, as we topped the skyline, we had spooked it. Unbeknownst to me, following the deer’s route, Shelley had it spotted and was about to send the coup de grace until, much to our collective misfortune, Roc and I showed up.
Making matters worse, the fenceline the buck traced dived into a very large canyon filled with thick brush and acres to hide in. The buck had left a substantial amount of blood in the middle of a nested circle and a blotchy trail to follow. I passed Roc through the trail and encouraged him with the “Hunt-Dead!” command a few times. Surprisingly, nose to the ground, he began to trot down the line!
His head moved side to side as he sifted through the dried ochar grasses of fall. I was not sure whether Roc was following the scented trail or just moving from blotch to blotch until the trail turned spotty then, all but disappeared. Onward, Roc continued until the motionless body of a large whitetail was pointed at a “safe” distance by the cautious setter. I guess Roc never considered what he would do when he actually caught-up with the deer?
Male dogs are always in search of the perfect tree - or brush or fire hydrant. No, he didn’t “pick-out” this Christmas tree but loved to pull it!
Without any apparent sled dog DNA, like most dogs, this powerful young hound-mix enjoys useful tasks!
As the price for pure-bred dogs move further away from the average person’s pocketbook, many are looking for alternatives. Dogs, themselves, often create an alternative source; the drive to continue their species - not necessarily their pedigree - often ends in unplanned litters. The proof witnessed in holding facilities across the country; stuffed with dogs needing permanent homes.
Of course, the purchase of specifically bred dogs increase the odds significantly that you and your dog will be sharing an activity with equal enthusiasm. If the “mix” is known and appropriate to the new owner’s intented recreation, possibilities may exist. However, realistically, it is very much a gamble.
There are options for those without a great deal of expendable cash yet, desire a shared life and recreation with a dog-buddy. Careful planning and research may have you saying, “That Dog Will Hunt!”
- Enjoy Your Dog!
