A few questions?
I am looking for a dog. Unfortunately I had to put my English Setter down. I am thinking of going for a more versatile hunting dog this time. I am kind of looking at the Wirehaired pointing Griffrons and the German Wirehaireds. I am open to other breeds but those are the two I am leaning towards right now. So any imput on that would be welcomed.
Also, I trained my English Setter when I was a boy with a neighbor. The neighbor was great he had live pheasants and quail pinned up. It was awesome once we graduated from the wing on a stick. My problem lies in I do not have that opportunity anymore. I would still like to be the one that trains the dog. I understand that I can do what I can do and then just hunt with the dog and use that to teach him. What I am wondering is what you guys do to train your dogs without live birds. I was thinking of getting one of the bird launchers and wrapping some wings up together and put it in their and then "shoot it" after it comes out. Just wondering what you think of that.
Also any imput on training water retrieving for waterfowl would be nice. I have never done it and am wondering about it.
Thanks