Big dogs versus little dogs?

goldenboy

goldenboy

Well-known member
Okay I have a question we can kick around for a few days. I hear all the time guys say they like a big strong dog to bust through the heavy cover like cattails, etc. I run very small golden's, usually around 43-45 pounds. They love to burrow in and bust pheasants out of cattails all day long. They don't tire easily and don't have to carry extra weight around the field all day, (like I do with the extra pounds I carry!) So my question is do we think big dogs bust through cover better than small dogs? Let the fur fly I am interested in what you guys think, but more importantly what you have observed.
 
This should get good. :) I don't know if it's as much a size thing as a desire thing. For heavy cover like cattails it does take a little larger, strong dog. I think smaller dogs like an English Cocker, some smaller Brits and ESS's may struggle a little in real dense cover. Probably a leggier GSP or GWP would crash the stuff better. I know they seem to do better in cattails than my Brittany. And your Goldens and Labs will generally work cattails well also. There is such size variation even in a given breed that it's difficult to say one breed is better in heavy cover than another. In general, I do believe that a little smaller, leaner dog makes a better upland bird dog. The larger, heavier dogs do tire out faster.
My 40 lb. female Brittany will bust most cover as well and any dog but when it comes to heavy cattails she tends to skirt the edges and only jump in when she catches scent.
 
My first statement is: I have a 115 lb Golden. :eek: no, theres no fat on him.
I'll continue when Im on my puker not my phone. This may take a while:D
 
My .02 cents worth. I have seen 2 shorthairs of he same size. One would charge through or blast through whatever you want to call it. While the other one seemed to navigate it and make less noise, but getting through the same weedy plants or cattails. I think you might find that in most breeds. Some just navigate it with less noise and in the same amount of time, while some just charge in.:cheers:
 
Like many on here I have hunted with all different types and sizes. I have seen large dogs that wanted nothing to do with heavy cover, and small ones that wouldn't either. I kinda like a mid sized dog. Mine is about 65-67 lbs and is a fearless charger. My last one was about 90 and pretty fearless himself. The difference is the smaller one doesn't wear down as easily unless it is warm. I hunted with a buddy who brought his Jack Russell Terrier this last December. That dog had more balls than most of the dogs on here lb for lb. Mine included:D
 
Carp, you should of got some photos!!! Maybe you did!:cheers:
 
Jacks are fearless! My current companion weighs 45-pounds, hunts hard, cover poses no obstacle and if I ever have to pack him out do to injury God forbid, well, at 66 I'd prefer that to some of the heavier dogs I've had in the past.
 
We don't have much for cattails where I hunt. But sometimes the old CRP can get pretty thick and 7' tall or higher, especially if you hit a patch of johnson grass or old, dense big bluestem...

The only observation I have about dog size is that smaller, skinnier dogs are a little harder to keep track of in the really thick stuff. Honestly, I could hardly ever see Rusty in that type of cover because his color exactly matched dead grass, but I could usually hear him and see the grass moving.

Daisy is quite a bit tougher to keep track of than he was, even though her color stands out in grass, because she doesn't throw quite the wake that he did. Junie, being so small, moves through the thick stuff like a ghost.

All 3 have been pretty effective at hunting the thick CRP. All 3 would run the edge of thick cover if I let them, but all 3 would also readily get into the draw and hunt it if I slowed down and made them... Junie seems to have the strongest tendency to bury herself the thick stuff by nature.

My sample size of dogs is small, and I don't have much experience with cattails though... I've hunted a wide expanse of cattails twice, and the dogs did fine. It was me that about needed to be airlifted out... :laugh:
 
I don't think size matters, it's all about drive. What the heck am I talking about! But seriously I prefer my labs around 70 lbs because they look nice, but 40lbs or 100lbs they have to have drive! Give me lots of heart, big wheels, and a bit of bottem!
Steve
 
I agree with the "fight in the dog" theory. I have had small setters crash through to iron weeds, and cattails to point and retrieve pheasants. I have had other dogs both large and small, breed and name will be withheld here, who are stepping on your heels as you walk ( my pet peeve!). Large dogs do get tired easier, and if you have to carry them out, it may be a challenge! Sometimes it's all I can do extricate myself! In the heavy stuff, you need a brush buster, or you can forget it, and find small open areas to hunt. In large wetland areas or "mature" CRP, it's more like a cattle drive to fish birds out, requires a dog with a breakfast of Wheaties to tackle that all day. interesting view point, I belief it's as brutal to hunt early prairie grouse in the sandhills. but the toughness is a different variety. Vary seldom to you find both, in the same dog, rugged brush busters will be spent, at 80 degrees, running the sandy, vertical, plains, sand burrs, snakes and cactus to booth. I believe it's the most demanding of the dog hunting sports. Horses for courses, as the saying goes, that applies to the hunter too.
 
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