Birding with Canines

Bonnie Ott (bott@erols.com)
Wed, 21 Oct 1998 15:12:49 -0400


I  take my 2 Keeshonden(dogs) birding with me every morning. They don't
hamper me too much and I walk them on flexi-leads (one on 15 ft and 1 on
30 ft). They both have advanced obedience training so it is easy for me
to leave them in a stay and walk around an area (keeping them in sight
of course) for hands free birding. I have taught them to fetch their
leashes and bring them to me so I don't have to walk back to get them.
	So far they haven't flushed anything interesting. I did read an article
about a fellow that trained a dog to scent out owl pellets. THAT would
be interesting! Maybe they could find saw-whets? I have also thought it
would be worthwhile to get a sturdier breed that could carry my scope
for me (with a special saddle-pack).
		Bonnie and the Kees (Perikee's Jacinthe at Astarz CDX)
				     (Pymmint's Westcrest Snowbird CDX)