Training a terrier for quail flushing

K

KSfalconry

New member
Hey all,

New here...unexpectantly found a good number of quail covey while rabbit hunting and decided to pursue bobwhite seasonally when possible. My biggest conundrum is that I just got my first hunting dog, a Decker line Rat Terrier, for flushing rabbits and treeing squirrels (from a known, pedigreed hunting line). The bloodline historically was used to blood track deer, tree game, and flush grouse/rabbits, but seems to mainly be a deer/squirrel dog for most folks.

I don't have the ability to get another dog, and am quite happy with this pup so far. Only 9 weeks, so plenty of time to learn still.

I don't expect this dog to outperform a GSP or Brittany, but am curious what I can do to turn this guy into a quail flusher? Should I just follow what most folks do for the more typical bird dog and mold behavior as possible, or are there other goals I will need to follow for a non-traditional bird dog?

Thanks in advance. This is my first true hunting dog, so if there is more information needed for a proper answer, let me know. Appreciate any and all advice.
 
If it tracks & flushes rabbits, it will eventually track & flush birds if it is exposed enough. My first dogs when I moved away from home was a pair of half sister beagles born a day apart. My mothers vet in FL had them & they were the runts of the two litters. They were bred to run deer. I live in Ohio & back then ( early 70’s) we had tons of rabbits, some phez, & some quail in places. Very few deer in the North. The first year I had them, they would run rabbits, but not bay on the track. When they would hit a phez track they would open up! When exposed to quail, they would point!
 
My son has had 2 German Shepards that were outstanding flushing and dead bird dogs for quail, he hunted them solo a lot…. Most dogs with prey drive will do the job that you want out of them just be patient and get them in birds regular and they will hunt what you’re after.
Like hunting with any flushing dog, keep them close! Good luck and have fun
 
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