HUNTING DOG BASICS
Matching a breed to your hunting purpose
Gundogs
Gundogs assist hunters in finding and retrieving game. They have been selectively bred over centuries to produce bloodlines capable of controlled and methodical field work, with a perfect balance of trainability and temperament. Gundogs must have the instinct, drive and energy to perform certain tasks in the field.
All gundogs must be soft at mouth, that is, any game they retrieve is returned to the hunter with minimal damage and is fit for the table.
Different breeds excel at different tasks, which is why your preferred hunting method will determine which type of gundog you should choose.
Gundog tasks
Here are the four main gundog tasks.
1. Pointing: Pointing breeds are commonly used for hunting birds, such as quail and pheasants.
The dog will run out in front of the hunter in a wide circle and try to locate game birds by scent. When a dog is at point, it freezes, points its nose in the direction of the bird and holds up one of its front legs. The dog remains motionless until the hunter steps forward and flushes the bird into the air for a shot. Once the bird is down, the dog is commanded to retrieve.
Some of the well-known pointing breeds are:
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Wirehair Pointer
- Gordon Setter
- Irish Setter.
Pointing breeds are also becoming increasingly popular with deer hunters, as they are very effective at locating and pointing elusive deer.
2. Flushing: Spaniels are a dedicated flushing breed and have a natural ability to locate, point and flush game birds. They rely heavily on their nose to scent birds and small game in tall grass. They hunt within shotgun range of their handler, working from left to right until a bird is found.
As a bird is flushed, the dog will immediately sit and observe the flight path. Once the bird is downed, the dog will mark the spot and retrieve upon command. Some of the common breeds are:
- English Springer Spaniel
- Cocker Spaniel
- Water Spaniel.
3. Retrieving: Retrievers get their name from their ability to retrieve game birds, usually waterfowl, that have been harvested by a hunter.
The dog is expected to remain still and calm as the ducks approach the blind. A well-trained retriever will watch and follow the hunter’s gun and mentally mark the location of each downed bird. Upon command, the dog will retrieve each bird and must also be able to respond to signals from the hunter. Some of the common retriever breeds are:
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- Chesapeake Retriever.
These dogs are great swimmers and enjoy retrieving birds from water.
4. Scenting and tracking: Beagles, Foxhounds and Bloodhounds are breeds of scent hounds. They use their nose to scent, track and find prey.
Deer, for example, can inhabit thick bush and are masters of concealing themselves. Many hunters have walked by deer hiding in thick cover, simply because the hunter could not see it. This is where a dog can be advantageous. When a dog catches a scent, it will remain motionless and point or crouch towards the direction of the deer. This gives the hunter time to carefully scan the bush and locate the animal before it slips away.
After taking a shot, sometimes the animal cannot be easily found. Ethical hunters will make every effort to recover the animal or apply a finishing shot. Dogs can be of great assistance due to their increased sense of sight and smell and can locate these animals quickly and more efficiently.
Hounds can also be trained to run the animal in the direction of hunters staged at certain locations. This technique works well for smaller game found in thick cover or areas that a hunter cannot walk through. Hounds are very energetic, sociable and prefer to hunt in groups, although they are just as well-equipped to hunt on their own.
Pig hunting dogs
While purebred gundogs are popular, many keen pig hunters will use cross breeds, as they can exhibit the most desirable traits from a variety of breeds. Popular breed groups include:
- Terriers
- Hounds
- Pointers
- Kelpies
- Collies
- Heelers
- Bull Arabs.
There are three specific tasks that dogs may use to successfully capture wild pigs.
1. Finding: Finding dogs must have the ability to find a pig by scent. Some dogs can find pig scent from the back of a vehicle, while other dogs will search the bush until the scent is caught.
Depending on the terrain and its accessibility, hunters may prefer short-range finders that will only track fresh scent or long range finders that will track cold scent for many kilometres.
2. Bailing: These dogs are generally a smart-working breed with high stamina and great athletic ability to manoeuvre through the scrub and withstand hot environments. Bailing dogs are used to chase, stop and bail a pig until the hunter or other dogs arrive.
3. Holding: Holding dogs will chase, stop and hold a pig until the hunter arrives to dispatch it quickly and ethically. These dogs must have great strength and resilience and wide, strong jaws to be able to maintain a reliable grip.
It is important that a holding dog only applies enough force to prevent the pig from escaping and must not kill or injure the pig. An experienced holder may decide to bail the pig if it cannot be handled alone or if the hunter takes too long to arrive.
Mustering dogs
Dogs used for mustering goats are typically all-round working dogs with strong herding ability. With the right capabilities, any dog can be used to muster goats, however the most common breeds generally include:
- Kelpie
- Border Collie
- Koolie
- Cattle Dog
- Australian Shepherd.
A successful goat mustering dog should have the following traits:
- A strong natural instinct to work goats.
- Can be sent around a mob of goats and bring them back without losing any or allowing the mob to drift off line.
- Can drive or move the mob of goats away from the handler.
- Ability to use the right amount of ‘eye’ to control the goats.
- Ability to move (push) the goats in a certain direction, particularly when getting them into yards.
- Ability to cover and prevent the goats from running past them.
- Can hold the goats in one area.
- Barks on command.
- Works well in the open and in the yard.
Supplied by NSW DPI from its New South Wales R-Licence: Hunting With Dogs training program.
DOG TRAINING BASICS
Basic training methods
All hunting dogs must be well-trained, obedient and balanced. A well-trained hunting dog will ensure that every hunt is not only successful but also safe, ethical and legal. A responsible hunter’s dog should consistently respond to basic commands:
- sit
- stay
- come
- drop
- leave it.
It is important to begin training your hunting dog while it is a puppy. Proper training and socialising your dog with others while young is fundamental to developing an effective hunting companion.
Positive reinforcement training method
Dogs learn when being rewarded for good behaviour. Teaching your dog to perform an action or behaviour in order to gain a reward is known as positive reinforcement. The reward must be something your dog enjoys, such as a pat, verbal praise, a chew toy or most commonly a treat. This is the most basic form of positive reinforcement training and effectively communicates to your dog that they displayed the correct behaviour.
Only reward your dog for correct behaviours and ignore unwanted behaviours. Dogs are pack animals and respond to their leader. The reward demonstrates your leadership without using punishment.
A properly trained hunting dog must:
- be stock proofed and show no interest in any other animal apart from the target animals
- be socialised with other dogs and people of all ages and sizes
- be easily controlled at all times.
If a dog displays anti-social, aggressive or undesirable behaviour, it should not be used for hunting.
Never strike your dog for doing the wrong thing. One simple act of punishment may be impossible to rectify.
Socialising your hunting dog
Socialising should begin at the puppy stage to prevent unwanted behavioural problems. Socialising becomes more important at six months of age and should be continued throughout your dog’s life.
Lack of social interactions can lead to aggression, shyness and hyperactivity. Hunters should regularly expose their dogs to the social situations they need them to cope with, such as hunting with other dogs, travelling in a vehicle and gunfire.
Socialising can sometimes become overwhelming for some dogs, so remember to keep the sessions short and enjoyable.
Supplied by NSW DPI from its New South Wales R-Licence: Hunting With Dogs training program.
HUNTING WITH DOGS BASICS
Hunting deer with dogs
Hunting deer with dogs is a very effective method of locating deer in thick and dense terrain. The hunter may not see the deer; however, the dog will locate it using their highly developed senses of sight, sound and smell. Once the dog points a deer, the hunter has time to find the animal and prepare to take the shot.
As with all types of hunting, animal welfare practices must always be observed.
Hunting game birds with dogs
Hunting native game birds with the assistance of a gundog is a permitted hunting method under the Native Game Bird Management Program in NSW. Other non-indigenous game birds covered by the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 may also be hunted with a gundog.
Many properties that take part in the Native Game Bird Management Program grow rice crops. Generally, the rice crops are irrigated with water and are impacted by ducks each year. When ducks are harvested, it is best practice to recover them quickly before other birds can be targeted. The best way to retrieve the birds and cause minimal damage to the rice crop is with the use of highly trained gundogs. All gundogs are predisposed to retrieving harvested game, regardless of their breed.
When hunting native game birds under the program, you may only use a dog to:
- locate
- flush
- point
- retrieve.
Dogs may also be used in game bird field trials that are conducted by an approved hunting club or organisation on private land.
Hunting pigs with dogs
Using dogs to hunt pigs is an extremely effective method of reducing feral pig populations that have become conditioned to baiting, shooting and trapping programs. These animals respond by living in thick terrain and often become nocturnal.
As with all types of hunting, animal welfare must be the primary consideration when hunting pigs with dogs. This method of hunting increases welfare considerations for both the pigs and the hunting dogs.
ACCESS BASICS
Respect the landowner
Before you enter any private land, make sure you have the landowner’s or manager’s permission and always ask for permission to hunt with dogs.
All animal welfare laws remain in effect when hunting pigs with dogs on private land, and no unnecessary pain or suffering should be inflicted on hunted pigs.
Hunters must always know the property boundaries and must not allow their dogs to cross onto land they don’t have permission to be on.
Trespassing on land that you do not have permission to hunt on is a criminal offence and will result in harsh penalties. The following penalties may apply to anyone in breach of trespass laws:
- penalty infringement notices
- seizure and possible confiscation of hunting-related equipment including firearms and vehicles
- court attendance — if convicted, you may face significant fines, court orders and even imprisonment.
Supplied by NSW DPI from its New South Wales R-Licence: Hunting With Dogs training program.
ANIMAL WELFARE BASICS
Pig dog hunting equipment
A dedicated hunter understands the importance of safety during the hunt. Dogs can sometimes become injured when crossing fences, jumping from the vehicle or from finding, bailing and holding pigs. Therefore, hunters must take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of their dogs.
The following protective items are strongly recommended to keep your pig dog safe during the hunt.
Chest plates and neck collars
Chest plates and neck collars are essential in protecting your dog against injuries caused by a pig. They are designed to cover the dog’s vital areas while allowing your dog to still move freely. Some plates and collars include a pocket to attach a form of illumination and a metal tag that must be engraved with the registered owners’ details. They must also allow for the use of a radio tracking collar.
Hunters must carefully select the most appropriate fit and type of chest plate or collar. Dogs wearing a full chest plate will tire and overheat more quickly, so the hunter must limit the length of the chase and must also provide fresh drinking water and a cool place for the dog to rest after the hunt.
Welfare of hunted pigs
Hunters have a duty of care, are bound by laws and are responsible for ensuring acceptable standards of animal welfare are practiced during the hunt. Pigs must be dispatched quickly and efficiently, with full regard for their welfare.
It is recommended that pigs are found and bailed, and holding should be avoided where possible.
If a captured pig must be held, it should be for the shortest amount of time possible. Prolonged holding can cause severe stress and pain to the pig and may contravene requirements set out in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979. It can also cause injury to the dogs.
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act 1979 legally obligates all hunters to ensure that no unnecessary pain is inflicted on a hunted animal. Responsible and humane hunting helps to maintain community confidence in your activity, so it may be continued into the future.
It is an offence to hunt pigs with dogs in a way that results in unnecessary pain or suffering for either the pigs or the dogs.
An example of an offence is when an excessive number of dogs are used or if the dogs are set upon a pig that is already in a situation where it can be quickly dispatched.
Revisit Unit 2 of Section 1 - Hunting laws in NSW for more information about this Act.
