Non-typical bird-dogs

[Nels]

Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone has hunted grouse/pheasants/ducks with dogs other than typical ("sporting")breeds like labs/pointers/setters etc.

Anyone had luck with Beagles, Bassethounds, coonhounds, poodles, foxhounds or mini/toy breeds (or odd mixes adopted from a shelter)for Birds , either flushing/pointing/retrieving?

Thanks,
Nels

[Surface Tension]

Well Not for hunting but I've seen a sled dog team that were all poodles.

[Guest]

The Standard Poodle was bred originally as a hunting dog; I have had the opportunity to hunt ducks on the Chesapeake Bay with a large black male, it is actually quite a hoot to see one out in a blind for the first time.

[can it be luck?]

My friends uncle has a UKC started retriever titled hunting poodle. Looks sort of wierd, a poodle retrieving birds. Goofy haircut and all.

------------------
http://groups.msn.com/canitbeluck

[setterguy]

I never got a chance to hunt with him but a guy I know used to hunt grouse with a pitbull. He said the thing stayed about 30 feet in front, quartered like a champ and retrieved to hand. I wonder what was left of the bird after the retrieve???

[ccarlson]

I've often thought that a border collie would make a fine hunting dog. I watch them on tv at dog shows and doing other tricks and I am amazed at their intelligence and ability. I would think you could train it to hunt any way you wanted. Flusher one day, pointer another, clean the birds after the hunt etc....
ccarlson

[nunzio]

I took one of my German Sheperds out once years ago. She caught on real quick, covering alot of ground, while staying close. I missed the first few She flushed and finally got one. She went right out and picked it up...... one crushing bite. Not much left.
Jump shot a beaver pond with my GSP as a kid. Dropped a mallard out in the pond..... My GSP swam out to the duck took one sniff and swam right back and sat at my feet. She also swam right beside me as I got my own duck. LOL

[Crossin' Eyes]

My dad had a Rat Terrior that he loved to hunt with. It could go under any kind of thick cover and because it was so small, it never got very far ahead of him. It would start barking when it was hot on a rabbit or pheasant.

[fishnutbob]

Hunted grouse by Big Falls two weeks ago my buddy had a Beagle cross lab short legs like the beagle, that dog was a hoot he puts a big bell on the dog and when it finds a grouse it stopped and barked and trees the bird and barks until you come over, I liked that dog stayed close. I think the noise of the bell scares the grouse into the tree. Big cow type bell Bob A.

[Guest]

Although this at one time was a hunting breed alot of people do not hunt with them anymore.I had a American Cocker Spaniel who was a blast to hunt ducks over.He was a great water dog and alot of fun to hunt with.
Ryan Hale