Hi all, Just wondering if any of you guys can point me in the right direction (or a better direction at least). My hubby is looking to get a springer to train as a falconry dog. We have a hawk and he would like to be able to take her out with his own dog (he current goes with other 'hawkers' but would like to be able to fly her under a dog when hey're out alone). We are looking at springer pups, but if anyone knows of any good breeders in our area then that would be a better option for us (and the pup). Also, we have found a good gun-dog club near doncaster but they are not specific to falconry training. Does anyone know of any relevant training clubs in our area (we are near Hull but are willing to travel - but for the dogs sake ideally not too far!) Thanks Em
Does your hubby plan to train the springer to point??? Like a setter/pointer/hpr ???? I think it's quite rare that a non-pointing breed is used, just out of interest could you tell us how your hubby plans to work the dog with the hawk as I've not heard of this before thanks Sophie
I don't know much about it, but know that one of Dogsey members hubby/partner works a dog in partnership with a hawk, so hopefully they will pop along and give you some advice. The only thing I would say is that, from what little I know, falconers usually use HPR (hunt point retrieve) breeds of dog, such as German Wirehaired or Shorthaired Pointers, Hungarian Vizlas etc.
And english pointer are very commenly used as well as setters (working types tho) Just to add I have a GSP who I plan to do hpr tests and trails and bits and his half brother that I know is going to be used for falconry. There are a couple of falconry forums which might be worth joining to answer your questions.
or a Brittany, i do know of one guy who works a springer with the hawks, the dogs are used to flush the game from hedge's etc and then the bird goes in for the kill
Yeah I just asked some one and they said that me of little knowledge said you can aslo use ferrets does make sense. I guess you just need a steady dog that won't try and run in on the bird.
Hi and thanks for the replies. Apparently spaniels are used quite frequently for falconry (and yes my understanding (by no means as good as hubby's) is that they are mainly used for flushing). She is trained on rabbits mainly so his options are ferrets (which he hates) or a dog. He has looked at the options (pointer, vizla, spaniel, brittany, etc) and it's just personal preference - he wants to go for a spaniel.
The advantage a HPR or pointer has over a spaniel is that they give you plenty of notice that they've found game, thus giving you time to set the hawk up. Also, the hawk gets to know the body language of the dog and will prepare itself, this is obviously easier if you have a pointing breed. If it's the looks of the spaniel your hubby wants as opposed to the way it works then a Brittany is a good compromise as this looks like a spaniel but is actually a HPR and are smaller than the likes of german pointers etc. I'm not a spaniel person so dont know about breeders but a guy who used to train my dog breeds springers and works his dogs on shoots. He is based in the Peak District and is a well respected man. Not sure if he has pups ATM though. Also, there is a brilliant litter of Brittany's available from a top kennel in Lincs. Try looking on the Gundog Club website also for litters available of any chosen breed. I've never seen specific falconry training for dogs and 50% of what you'd be learning in a normal gundog club is irrelevant as a good deal is based around retrieving and not hunting. My OH is very poor at general dog training and yet has trained many dogs to use with his own birds of prey and had alot of success so if he can do it, rest assured, it cant be that hard!! All you need is a dog with a good nose and the desire to use it, a good stop whistle and of course the dog to get along with the bird.
Hi Leanne - thanks for the reply. It's always good to hear of other peoples experiences. Just out of interest, what doe syour OH fly? Ref the Brittanys - do you know the name of the breeder (or could you PM me if you're not allowed to say on public forum? - not really sure of the rules ) Ta Em
The breeder of the Brittany's is called Rory Major and he owns Bryantscroft kennels. I would have one off him myself as a Brittany is next on my list but havent got the room ATM. My pointer has Bryantscroft in his breeding on the GWP side and they are a kennel I very much respect in terms of producing good working dogs. My OH doesnt fly birds anymore (and TBH, i'm hoping thats the way it stays!) but he has flown Harris Hawks, Red Tailed Kites and Goshawks, the latter being his favourite. His mate has a Golden Eagle, I shuld imagine thats a handful!
