Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game New Gun Dog Owner

I recently was able to get a 7 wk old female Golden Retriever with great parents. Since I'm new to the gun dog scene, (My son has been my grouse dog for a few years now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. He said get a dog or he'll use me for the gun dog. I'm to old for that kind if brush busting <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />.) I'm kind of asking on the back side if the golden will be a good grouse dog with the right training. I know that they're good for pheasants but what about grouse? She's ten weeks now and basic "back" retrieves are going pretty well...



Thanks in advance for the help.

Golden Retrievers (affectionately called "Swamp Collies" around here) can be GREAT grouse dogs. I'm very partial to pointers, but there is lots of cover where a Golden will work out better.

The tough thing about grouse dogs is getting them on grouse - pheasants and quail are easier to work year round and you always have game farm or over-the-counter birds to fall back on. The best grouse dogs I've worked with have started out being pheasant dogs and evolved into grouse dogs.

Goldens are generally very intelligent and will easily switch gears from one upland bird to another, so work the dog on whatever bird you can with no worries.

The only downside to Goldens is the long fur. You can spend more time picking burrs than hunting if you don't keep the fur short. I think Trail Mix was invented by shaking a Golden <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Goldens also possess a convenient attribute - they usually want to be in front of you. Instead of yelling commands at the dog you can often just turn your back on them and they'll work back around you, or turn your left shoulder to the dog and they'll work to your right.

All in all, Goldens are great dogs.

I have a Golden girl (7 months) that I dearly love. Greatest dog ever...however, I too, want to get he to be a huntin' dog.
Upland birds, mostly.

I have hunted over a lot of different breeds , and one of my favorites is a golden that is owned by my bro in law. She is bird nuts - doesn't matter. Geese, grouse, ducks , whatever! Grouse are not a problem at all. She casts close, holds, everything. I think one of their biggest attributes is that they are a people dog, and want to please and play. You will not be sorry! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Catnthehat

sorry i picked up the thread late but ill chime in anyway;

i have a golden that i trained myself from a puppy. i noticed that at an early age he was pointing naturally (crap piles, dead mice etc.) i strongly encourage him, then eventually started planting pigeon wings where i knew he would find them, and he kept on pointing.
in the woods the goldens nose is outstanding. they are a little big to bust the brush (mines 65pounds most are even more), but he'll find the birds. he points 80% of the time, but if the bird starts to run, or he see's it in the distance running hell break. the birds are hard enough to hit as it is so i like a point so i can get ready.
brother has the dogs sibling (mine is neutured male, his is spayed female) and it wont point, he said i was stupid telling mine to point at [bleep].
great dogs, great with kids, excell in the woods. recomend a beeper collar or at least a bell to help keep track of him