Bird dogs

[trappererick]

I routinely hunt the dogs down into the single digits and when they are working no problems at all. They do get some extra calories when working in the cold and I try to keep them well hydrated with room temp water but it is tough to keep them from eating snow. That little Braque is a rabbit chasing machine both he and my GSP catch a few every winter before I can shoot them. I do use mushers wax on their feet to try and keep ice build up down. I find the dogs do much better then I do.

 

[southpa]

My GSP has been doing good in the cold, I've had him out quite a bit in it, never paid attention to temperature to much in previous years. This last weekend though we went out, the pickup said it was 10* when started hunting, and I think he may have got some frostbite on his ballsack. I'm not sure if it's a combo scrape with the cold, but it was bleeding decent. No signs anywhere else that he had frostbite. Ive never been around a dog that had gotten it, so I'm not sure. So, I'm curious what cold temps everyone else has been hunting them in.

Seems like any breed could be susceptible to frostbite on the ol' sac in the coldest of bird hunting temps. I honestly don't know how my dogs in previous years can even function in some of the icey stuff they retrieved waterfowl in. Then they get out and sit soaking wet on ice or snow in single digit Temps. They are truly dedicated. I hope your boys, boys are ok!!!

 

[wasskeet]

This was her normal winter sleeping spot- under the woodstove while it was ripping away, lol.

This reminds me of a friend's Feist. He would get under the woodstove and in about 5 minutes, the smell of burnt hair would fill the air. In about 15-20 minutes he would come out with his back smoking. After 30-45 minutes out - back under there he goes LOL.

 

[cellguy]

My "Birdie girl" loves her vest. Plus I like it when I hunt with my friends. She really stands out in the field and it's safer for her. After a long day in the cold she will go into her cave and rest for a few hours.

 

[Toneloc]

Cellguy - Where do you get that cave bed? That's pretty cool. Our pup loves her blanket, my girls ate always wrapping her up in it. Bet she'd love a bed like that. Have that same vest for our pudelpointer…

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

My "Birdie girl" loves her vest. Plus I like it when I hunt with my friends. She really stands out in the field and it's safer for her. After a long day in the cold she will go into her cave and rest for a few hours.

AWESOME!!!

 

[257WHBY13]

My Dove club has a lot of guys w/ English Cocker's, just keep some rubbbing alcohol handy in early hot weather. Great dogs & good luck w/ the pup!

 

[idcwby]

Seems like any breed could be susceptible to frostbite on the ol' sac in the coldest of bird hunting temps. I honestly don't know how my dogs in previous years can even function in some of the icey stuff they retrieved waterfowl in. Then they get out and sit soaking wet on ice or snow in single digit Temps. They are truly dedicated. I hope your boys, boys are ok!!!

Thanks. Just wish I knew if it was frostbite or a scrap. I'm leaning more towards a scrap now because his ears didn't get anything. Either way we are done until it heals, is the sucky part.

 

[cellguy]

Cellguy - Where do you get that cave bed? That's pretty cool. Our pup loves her blanket, my girls ate always wrapping her up in it. Bet she'd love a bed like that. Have that same vest for our pudelpointer…

This place has a ton of options. I've had mine since 2018 so the options may have changed.

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[BirdDog50]

Got a German Shorthair and is a great dog for chukar, try's to cover to much ground for pheasant. View attachment 226861View attachment 226862

 

[BirdDog50]

Late to the party...love everything about bird dogs... English Setters captured my heart...have only 1 in residence now ...all the others are chasing birds in the heavenlies!!! Sure do miss them.

 

[Philward]

Had some fun with these two this year. My old wise male and my nut job female 'The Black Pearl'.

Took 5 trips this year, each trip I took a limit of ditch pigeons, lots of sharpies and my old boy put on some huns. Been eating bird a lot this fall. Great year, great bird numbers. Best I've seen in 10 years.

What are Ditch Pidgeons?

 

[Montana'eer]

What are Ditch Pidgeons?

Pheasants.

 

[birddog 68]

I do use mushers wax on their feet to try and keep ice build up down. I find the dogs do much better then I do.

Great advice. My lab would always be licking her paws after hunting or playing in cold weather until I started using the wax on her. I tried the booties on her but it was a rodeo trying to get them on because she hated wearing them. Sled dogs wear booties or wax which should tell you something.