Chukar dogs
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Re: Chukar dogs
Gertie....STUNNING dog! Lovely country too!
Yup, that's my close 2nd for a chukar dog right behind a pointer.
Hope to be picking up my setter pup this summer.
Thanks for sharing Gertie! Got any more pics of that dog? How is he bred? Got any Tekoa Mtn. Patriot blood?
Yup, that's my close 2nd for a chukar dog right behind a pointer.
Hope to be picking up my setter pup this summer.
Thanks for sharing Gertie! Got any more pics of that dog? How is he bred? Got any Tekoa Mtn. Patriot blood?
Re: Chukar dogs
I once had GSP that were on the large side (65 lb). Even after roading along the railroad tracks, their feet would give out. I always thought it was because of their size/weight. Our chucker country is lava. My last three dogs were big running long on leg light (35 lb) Brittanys. No pad problems. BUT, I was a lot younger 30yrs ago and maybe I pushed the dogs harder.
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Re: Chukar dogs
Exactly Oldbeek, some breedings where size, pigment, gait, are concerned might be more susceptible to wear and tear in rough terrain but at the end of the day, conditioning pads goes a long way, regardless of breed. I know my mature couch potato of a setter would still try to rock and roll but her current "indoor" pads won't last long at all. With all the years that I trialed/hunter her, I never once had pad problems but I used to put my time in with her too. I was a little younger then too.
Re: Chukar dogs
Thanks for the kind words. That's my Gertie dog. She's line bred Sunrise with some Smith on the bottom side. No Patriot however, I did breed her to Tekoa Mtn. Jettsun (son of Patriot) and had a very nice litter of pups. A few went to trial homes and the rest went to hunting homes so we should know here in the next couple of years how they stack up. I did take my pup that I kept from the litter out chukar hunting this year and she did great. Didn't cover as much ground as her mama but she kept up the whole time and found some birds. I like all the pointing breeds but there's just something about hunting behind a nice setter that I really enjoy.Dirty Dawger wrote:Gertie....STUNNING dog! Lovely country too!
Yup, that's my close 2nd for a chukar dog right behind a pointer.
Hope to be picking up my setter pup this summer.
Thanks for sharing Gertie! Got any more pics of that dog? How is he bred? Got any Tekoa Mtn. Patriot blood?
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Re: Chukar dogs
Did you have any pads problems chuhar hunting your setters?
Personally, I don't see it as a breed issue as much as a breeding issue. Either way, conditioning goes a long way, don't you think?
Personally, I don't see it as a breed issue as much as a breeding issue. Either way, conditioning goes a long way, don't you think?
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Re: Chukar dogs
Wow.........nice pic QuillGordon!!
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Re: Chukar dogs
Thanks
Re: Chukar dogs
Nothing good happens in the forest!! You must have sweet shot of a burned up cedar grove in chukar country with about a thousand sharp daggers per acre?? This is closest pic I can find to one in my files...and was huns actually:
Chukar dogs need fresh air and open spaces!! :
And another old one for fun - devil birds can't even flush right to get the best exposure!! :
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Re: Chukar dogs
Excellente shooting Docmawn.
Cedars don't scare me half as bad as the pines
Example (A)
Notice knife guarding pine chicken
So then hound puctures paw & comes limping back. Knothead owner chks leg over & discovers broken twig in webbed part of paw & thinks no big deal. Turns hound loose to carry on. Hound travels through cow dung, dirt and whatever the forest floor has to offer. Also, hound likes water so refreshes himself in high altitude pond
Example (B)
Fast forward three weeks later hound has been on antibiotics for said three weeks for an infected paw/toe to no avail. Knothead extremely worried. Hound has drain hole in webbed part of paw (no huntink). Culture test comes back with three bacteria growing in the petri, one being e-coli, another only survives if another bacteria is present and the last is the kicker, an aquatic type of bacteria that took the vet some research to find a anitbiotic to kill it. Once on the right meds hound was back at'er three weeks later. Six weeks down in the prime of Forest Chicken season. It can happen out on the Chukar slopes but there are not nearly the # of knives as in the forest...
Sorry for the hi-jack
Cedars don't scare me half as bad as the pines
Example (A)
Notice knife guarding pine chicken
So then hound puctures paw & comes limping back. Knothead owner chks leg over & discovers broken twig in webbed part of paw & thinks no big deal. Turns hound loose to carry on. Hound travels through cow dung, dirt and whatever the forest floor has to offer. Also, hound likes water so refreshes himself in high altitude pond
Example (B)
Fast forward three weeks later hound has been on antibiotics for said three weeks for an infected paw/toe to no avail. Knothead extremely worried. Hound has drain hole in webbed part of paw (no huntink). Culture test comes back with three bacteria growing in the petri, one being e-coli, another only survives if another bacteria is present and the last is the kicker, an aquatic type of bacteria that took the vet some research to find a anitbiotic to kill it. Once on the right meds hound was back at'er three weeks later. Six weeks down in the prime of Forest Chicken season. It can happen out on the Chukar slopes but there are not nearly the # of knives as in the forest...
Sorry for the hi-jack
Last edited by QuillGordon on Wed Feb 25, 2015 3:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Chukar dogs
Yah thats the stuff! Knock on wood never had a dog or myself get daggered yet!!
Amazing they don't get more injuries than they do.
Amazing they don't get more injuries than they do.
Re: Chukar dogs
Re: Chukar dogs
Gertie
Love that pic, the expression is priceless.
Love that pic, the expression is priceless.
Re: Chukar dogs
That is great.
“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”
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- Mark Twain-
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Re: Chukar dogs
I like whatever specices my dogs are able to handle, but have always admired the top chuckar dogs. Or maybe I should admire the chuckar hunter equaly, for it is where they choose to live, instead of difficulty in pointing them. They are my favorite non-native species, right after the Swedish ski team.
- P&PGunsmith
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Re: Chukar dogs
I know exactly how that dog feels in that picture and would bet that I have had the same expression on my face.
Chukar country
Take Care
Pete
Pete
Re: Chukar dogs
Geesh! I'm tellin' ya' - stay outta the woods!!
Yah, loving the chukar country photos - probably one of the biggest reasons I enjoy being out amongst 'em so much! A couple of my faves from my photo archives:
Re: Chukar dogs
My turn, some from one of this year's trips, a few hunting a few that I think are pretty and one of home base with my hunting rig. We did have some stitches when we ran into some wire. It was the most memorable vet appointment I have ever had, the dog is dripping blood and mud all over the floor and the vet spends 10 minutes trying to get the location of where we ran into birds out of me before he stapled him up. The great basin is exactly that. I know I probably posted them before, but I sure like looking at them. Time to switch gears and start thinking about fishing.
Last edited by Garrison on Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:17 pm, edited 4 times in total.
“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”
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- hi-tailyn
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Re: Chukar dogs
1st off I have never chuckar hunted, and I feel that is my loss. Too out of breath to do the 6 hr death march hunts anymore. Can you do it off horse back?
I have several now repeat puppy buyers that are avid chuckar hunters and they seem very happy with what they have got from my field trial dogs.
What they all keep looking for are the smaller pups in the litter. They like the smaller dogs that they say are more nimble and not so hard at pounding on their feet and legs on the rough terrain.
Has anyone else found this a preferred trait or is it just these guys's thing?
I have several now repeat puppy buyers that are avid chuckar hunters and they seem very happy with what they have got from my field trial dogs.
What they all keep looking for are the smaller pups in the litter. They like the smaller dogs that they say are more nimble and not so hard at pounding on their feet and legs on the rough terrain.
Has anyone else found this a preferred trait or is it just these guys's thing?
NASDC 3xNGDC-RU FC AFC Gertrudes Blue Brandi JH (Brandi) http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/3genview.php?id=4915
FC Hi-Tailyn Elektra Fly'n (Elektra)http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4916
Hi-Tailyn Katara (Katara) http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4917
Hi-Tailyn Brandi High (Heidi) http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4920
FC Hi-Tailyn Elektra Fly'n (Elektra)http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4916
Hi-Tailyn Katara (Katara) http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4917
Hi-Tailyn Brandi High (Heidi) http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4920
Re: Chukar dogs
From my limited (compared to some) experience smaller lighter cat like feet are desirable. My little setter's feet held together pretty well, my 60ish lb GSP has boxing gloves for feet and will split a pad and get sore depending on terrain but has never stopped him, I have booted him up a few times. My buddies 42lb gsp female with tight little feet can run all day long and then some and I have never once noticed a single problem no matter what she runs through, they don't work so well in water though. I have also seen what hunting through crops, grass and corn stubble can do to a dog that doesn't pick up its feet. That can be pretty tough on a dog as well.hi-tailyn wrote:1st off I have never chuckar hunted, and I feel that is my loss. Too out of breath to do the 6 hr death march hunts anymore. Can you do it off horse back?
I have several now repeat puppy buyers that are avid chuckar hunters and they seem very happy with what they have got from my field trial dogs.
What they all keep looking for are the smaller pups in the litter. They like the smaller dogs that they say are more nimble and not so hard at pounding on their feet and legs on the rough terrain.
Has anyone else found this a preferred trait or is it just these guys's thing?
“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”
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Re: Chukar dogs
Wow! Awesome photos guys. How many days until bird season?
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Re: Chukar dogs
Still bird season here. Well, sort of. No gun but we continue to seek out birdy places while keeping the hounds fit & occasionally shoot a keeper with the cameraHow many days until bird season?
A friends Llewellyn last weekend points a covey that flushes out the front door while one escapes out the back...
- P&PGunsmith
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Re: Chukar dogs
Now that I buy my dogs from breeders. I ask about the sire and dams feet. tight feet with no splaying seems to hold up better. My two males both were 65 lbers and never had major foot problems. If they hit or slip just right on a lava rock it wont matter what size they are and no matter what after 3 days straight they are probably going to get sore to a degree.hi-tailyn wrote:1st off I have never chuckar hunted, and I feel that is my loss. Too out of breath to do the 6 hr death march hunts anymore. Can you do it off horse back?
I have several now repeat puppy buyers that are avid chuckar hunters and they seem very happy with what they have got from my field trial dogs.
What they all keep looking for are the smaller pups in the litter. They like the smaller dogs that they say are more nimble and not so hard at pounding on their feet and legs on the rough terrain.
Has anyone else found this a preferred trait or is it just these guys's thing?
Take Care
Pete
Pete
Re: Chukar dogs
That's an awesome photo! Pretty setter too. I guess I was under the impression that here in Oregon we're not allowed to run our dogs on (i.e. "harass") upland birds during the pairing/nesting season. I think we can still release pen raised birds for training but the wild ones are off limits. Good for you that you're able to get out there and get some good camera hunting in though!QuillGordon wrote:Still bird season here. Well, sort of. No gun but we continue to seek out birdy places while keeping the hounds fit & occasionally shoot a keeper with the cameraHow many days until bird season?
A friends Llewellyn last weekend points a covey that flushes out the front door while one escapes out the back...
Re: Chukar dogs
Wood Knife To The Chest
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Re: Chukar dogs
That's one good looking Shorthair !
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Re: Chukar dogs
QuillGordon, love your pics! Very nice dog(s)!!
Genetics play a big part in pads for sure. You'd think Gordons should do well in chukar country when you consider where they came from - a heather based blend along with "cragy" mountain sides. That said, pads are not unlike other aspects of an athlete. While some breed lines are more volatile, pads can be hardened through a progressive process. It's always more difficult when a dog is house-borne for the most part and then taken out to bird hunt without the proper progressive conditioning.
When my personal dogs lived in kennels outside, I rarely if ever had pad issues. Once they came inside, getting them prepped for the season included a consideration for their pads.
The black pigment does seem to hold a following of toughness in the canine community. Again, that can easily be compromised if due diligence is not applied ahead of a plans for an enduring hunt in a nasty environment.
Application can also contribute significantly to a dog's well-being - including pads. Some dogs have a much greater pace supported by a gait that allows them to really fly. Other more methodical dogs might not put their physical stature to the test or not as much within a given time frame/distance on the ground.
In my opinion, certain breeds do not have a buy on pad toughness. Certain breedings....for sure.
Then there is that other aspect. I have pulled 1 inch thorns out of my dog's pads because I noticed they're movement was compromised. I had to call the dog in to me and it was all I could do to remove the thorn so that they could return to hunting! Some dogs might quit or try to removed said thorn. Some will run on three legs. That's genetics. A pointer I was working on the prairies got into a porcupine! He ripped it to pieces, then with a mouth full of quills, quills all over his face, around his one eye, on his chest and front pads, he turned and happily went looking for birds with a happy HIGH TAIL!?!?! It took a DVM with an assistant hours to collect the quills while said dog was sedated. With dogs like this, you have to take responsibility for their well being or they will injure themselves. Checking pads cyclically is a good habit to get into.
Is your dog "accident prone"?
Genetics play a big part in pads for sure. You'd think Gordons should do well in chukar country when you consider where they came from - a heather based blend along with "cragy" mountain sides. That said, pads are not unlike other aspects of an athlete. While some breed lines are more volatile, pads can be hardened through a progressive process. It's always more difficult when a dog is house-borne for the most part and then taken out to bird hunt without the proper progressive conditioning.
When my personal dogs lived in kennels outside, I rarely if ever had pad issues. Once they came inside, getting them prepped for the season included a consideration for their pads.
The black pigment does seem to hold a following of toughness in the canine community. Again, that can easily be compromised if due diligence is not applied ahead of a plans for an enduring hunt in a nasty environment.
Application can also contribute significantly to a dog's well-being - including pads. Some dogs have a much greater pace supported by a gait that allows them to really fly. Other more methodical dogs might not put their physical stature to the test or not as much within a given time frame/distance on the ground.
In my opinion, certain breeds do not have a buy on pad toughness. Certain breedings....for sure.
Then there is that other aspect. I have pulled 1 inch thorns out of my dog's pads because I noticed they're movement was compromised. I had to call the dog in to me and it was all I could do to remove the thorn so that they could return to hunting! Some dogs might quit or try to removed said thorn. Some will run on three legs. That's genetics. A pointer I was working on the prairies got into a porcupine! He ripped it to pieces, then with a mouth full of quills, quills all over his face, around his one eye, on his chest and front pads, he turned and happily went looking for birds with a happy HIGH TAIL!?!?! It took a DVM with an assistant hours to collect the quills while said dog was sedated. With dogs like this, you have to take responsibility for their well being or they will injure themselves. Checking pads cyclically is a good habit to get into.
Is your dog "accident prone"?
- Brazosvalleyvizslas
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Re: Chukar dogs
Tuff Pads, ( tincture of Benzoin) will strengthen
the pads and mushers wax will keep them from cracking. Its not all about breeding.
the pads and mushers wax will keep them from cracking. Its not all about breeding.
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Re: Chukar dogs
Not sure if this was addressed to me or not but when a hound see's as much run time as mine, things are bound to go wrong once in awhile. Heck, I've broke ribs & a scapula within a weeks time playing football as a youngster. I see it more as being the nature of the game than having anything to do with "accident prone"Is your dog "accident prone"?
Two injuries in a months span seem's excessive but where we run & hunt it's not surprising.
Re: Chukar dogs
Brazosvalleyvizslas wrote:Tuff Pads, ( tincture of Benzoin) will strengthen
the pads and mushers wax will keep them from cracking. Its not all about breeding.
But it should be!
If i have to rub tonics and lotions all over my dogs feet to take him hunting, I am afraid I would send him down the road.
Re: Chukar dogs
I am surprised our dogs are not hurt more often, heck I roll my ankles all the time, drop my gun and this year impaled my hand on a burnt log that required a trip to Urgent Care!QuillGordon wrote:Not sure if this was addressed to me or not but when a hound see's as much run time as mine, things are bound to go wrong once in awhile. Heck, I've broke ribs & a scapula within a weeks time playing football as a youngster. I see it more as being the nature of the game than having anything to do with "accident prone"Is your dog "accident prone"?
Two injuries in a months span seem's excessive but where we run & hunt it's not surprising.
A dog that can go consistently in the chukar hills is one impressive animal IMO. Its just so tough on man and beast.
Re: Chukar dogs
I'll second that last sentiment. I injured my shoulder by sacrificing my body to keep my gun from hitting the rocks this year and that was after stitches in my lower leg from a previous wreck that also involved a sprained ankle. The dogs are definitely a lot more graceful than I am out there on those hills!Elkhunter wrote:I am surprised our dogs are not hurt more often, heck I roll my ankles all the time, drop my gun and this year impaled my hand on a burnt log that required a trip to Urgent Care!QuillGordon wrote:Not sure if this was addressed to me or not but when a hound see's as much run time as mine, things are bound to go wrong once in awhile. Heck, I've broke ribs & a scapula within a weeks time playing football as a youngster. I see it more as being the nature of the game than having anything to do with "accident prone"Is your dog "accident prone"?
Two injuries in a months span seem's excessive but where we run & hunt it's not surprising.
A dog that can go consistently in the chukar hills is one impressive animal IMO. Its just so tough on man and beast.
Re: Chukar dogs
I haven't looked at this thread in a while and didn't see this until just now so sorry for the delay in my response. To answer your question, we get the occasional pad blow out but not very often. The last time we had a major one was a pretty decent size cut through the large part of one of her pads. I was able to patch it up with vet glue, wrap it with coflex, and keep hunting. She didn't even seem to notice while we were hunting but was a bit of a drama queen (as setters can be) when we got back home. It gets pretty rough in some of the volcanic rock stuff around here so I think it's going to happen occasionally regardless of the dog's breeding.Dirty Dawger wrote:Did you have any pads problems chuhar hunting your setters?
Personally, I don't see it as a breed issue as much as a breeding issue. Either way, conditioning goes a long way, don't you think?
Re: Chukar dogs
Some times how well a dogs feet hold up depends on the gait at which it hunts. Some hunt at a fast run, some at a trot, and some at a trot and/or slower. A dog that covers the country at a run is more prone to injury.
- UglyD
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Re: Chukar dogs
one of my boys is a "prancer" never has problems with his feet- the other is a "plodder" he is an exceptional hunter but his pads get beat up because of his gait and how his feet hit the ground.
Re: Chukar dogs
That makes sense. Mine is fairly light on her feet and we don't generally have a problem. It'll be interesting to see how the pup does when she starts hunting hard.
- Brazosvalleyvizslas
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Re: Chukar dogs
I don't mind taking 30 seconds to help my buddies stay healthy. Heck, it takes more time to "send them down the road". I must get too attached to my dogs to get rid of them for such a small problem.Elkhunter wrote:Brazosvalleyvizslas wrote:Tuff Pads, ( tincture of Benzoin) will strengthen
the pads and mushers wax will keep them from cracking. Its not all about breeding.
But it should be!
If i have to rub tonics and lotions all over my dogs feet to take him hunting, I am afraid I would send him down the road.
Re: Chukar dogs
I also have no problem making sure my hounds stay healthy, but its a crutch for a dog to be able to actually hunt. I would much rather hunt with a dog that does not need all the TLC just to go hunting! Just me though.
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Re: Chukar dogs
Ugly D, that's exactly what I was alluding to. The dog's gait/pace has a lot to do with this subject.
Re: Chukar dogs
Couple pics I took of Scoot's feet after 7 straight days hunting chukars a few years ago - not a mark on 'em.
Gotta be a huge consideration IMO when considering and breeding dogs primarily for the chukar hills - which, out here, is largely what we are breeding for. It sure carries a lot of weight with me when considering the breeding of my dogs. Personally, I would never breed to a dog that had to be routinely booted to go on a chukar hunt.
Gotta be a huge consideration IMO when considering and breeding dogs primarily for the chukar hills - which, out here, is largely what we are breeding for. It sure carries a lot of weight with me when considering the breeding of my dogs. Personally, I would never breed to a dog that had to be routinely booted to go on a chukar hunt.
Re: Chukar dogs
"Personally, I would never breed to a dog that had to be routinely booted to go on a chukar hunt."
Exactly Doug, I agree that it's a genetic thing.
Exactly Doug, I agree that it's a genetic thing.
Re: Chukar dogs
IMO Chukar hunting can be easy or hard on a dogs feet and legs, depending on where you hunt. I rarely have pad problems with my britt, but his hocks and the webbing betwern his toes get cut up hunting in certain areas. Not a lot can be done about that breeding wise, but Lewis boots sure do help.
Heat tolerance is a funny thing to mention for a chukar dog, if it's warm enough to matter its very easy to find birds.
Heat tolerance is a funny thing to mention for a chukar dog, if it's warm enough to matter its very easy to find birds.
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Re: Chukar dogs
I am kinda partial to setters (llewellin) for chukar hunting but that said - the last time I hunted them was in 2007 with small munsterlander's
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