Retriever dog
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Retriever
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A retriever is a type of gun dog that retrieves game for a hunter. Generally gun-dogs are divided into three major classifications: retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds.
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Retrievers were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage.
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Although spaniels and some pointing breeds routinely retrieve game, and many retrievers are skilled in finding game, retrievers are distinguished in that non-slip retrieval is their primary function. As a result, retriever breeds are bred for soft mouths and a great willingness to please, learn, and obey.
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A soft mouth refers to the willingness of the dog to carry game in its mouth without biting into it.
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"Hard mouth" is a serious fault in a hunting dog and is one that is very difficult to correct. A hard-mouthed dog renders game unpresentable or at worst inedible.
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The retriever's willingness to please and trainability have made retrievers such as the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever popular as assistance dogs.
Remain under Control
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Retrievers are typically used when waterfowl hunting. Since a majority of waterfowl hunting employs the use of small boats in winter conditions retrievers are trained to remain under control sitting calmly and quietly until sent to retrieve.
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This helps to avoid an accidental capsizing, disrupting the hunters aim or the possible accidental discharge of a firearm which could cause serious harm or death to others in the hunting party or to the dog itself.
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A dog that is under control is also better able to “mark” downed game.
Mark downed game
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Marking is the process of watching for a falling bird or multiple birds. When the command "mark" is given the dog should look up for incoming birds and remember where each bird falls.
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Well trained retrievers are taught to follow the direction the gun barrel is pointing to mark where the bird/s fall.
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Once the game is downed the handler will command the dog to retrieve the game.
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The dog’s ability to remember multiple “marks” is extremely important and trainers use techniques to improve a dog’s marking and memory ability.
Perform a Blind Retrieve
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When hunting waterfowl a retriever's primary job is to retrieve downed birds. There are times when a dog will not see the game fall.
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In this case retrievers are trained to take hand, voice, and whistle commands from the handler directing the dog to the downed game for retrieval.
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This is called a “blind retrieve”. Precision between the dog and handler is extremely useful and desired so as to minimize retrieval time and limit the disturbance of surrounding cover.
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The majority of blind retrieves in the field are made within 30-80 yards of the gun however a good retriever/handler team can perform precise blind retrieves out to 100+ yards and better.
Retrieve to Hand
Shake on Command
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Following a retrieve a well trained dog will not shake off excess water from its fur until after the delivery is complete.
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A dog shaking water from its fur in a small boat at worst risks capsizing the craft in cold winter conditions and at best will most likely shower hunters and equipment.
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Also a dog shaking while still holding the game in its mouth could damage the bird to the point of making it unfit for the table.
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To avoid these mishaps trainers will use a distinct command releasing a dog to shake.
Quarter
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Retrievers are often used in a secondary role as an upland flushing dog.
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Dogs must work in a pattern in front of the hunter seeking upland game birds.
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The retriever must be taught to stay within gun range to avoid flushing a bird outside of shooting distance.
Remain Steady to Wing and Shot
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When hunting upland birds, the flushing dog should be steady to wing and shot, meaning that it sits when a bird rises or a gun is fired.
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It does this in order to mark the fall and to avoid flushing other birds by unnecessarily pursuing a missed bird.
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Last modified: Thursday, 7 June 2012, 10:19 AM