My father had hounds for deer and coons when I was young. I have never owned a bird dog or trained one. A friend is having his springer bred and if all goes well is giving a pup to the family. Both male and female are v/good hunting stock. Am planning to use the dog for ruffed grouse........SO.....any suggestions for reading to get me going on this project would be great..Thanks.

Supercub

The best book for training a flushing spaniel in my IMO is Jim Spencers book "HUP" it was out of print for awhile but they have done a reprint and should be availible through any good book dealer. The book takes you through the whole process of bringing up a young spaniel and training it to be a good hunting companion. If you didn't know, HUP is spanieleze for Sit. Goodluck with you new hunting partner.

erich

supercub: A well trained springer is a vacuum cleaner for grouse providing you can control the distance he hunts in front of you. The book referred to by the previous poster is a very good authority. Proper training of a springer takes a considerable amount of time, patience and effort but is worth the time when you finally take him afield. In some data collected once by an interested biologist (comparing bags of blue grouse taken by owners with different dog breeds) he gave high points to the pointing breeds on opening day before the covies were broken up and chased into thicker cover. After that it was springers all the way for finding the singles and pairs. With only one opening weekend and a lot of season ahead of that you will be well satisfied with the breed. They are also great for pheasants in heavy cover. Full control by whistle is a must. You've got a lot of fun in front of you.
best.

Thanks for the replys. Don't know who is more excited, me or the kids.

Found this site. What do you think?
http://pub56.ezboard.com/bgundogandbirddogforums