Are Golden Retriever Good Hunting Dog?
When we imagine a Golden Retriever, we see it as a cool temperament, elegant, good-looking, non-aggressive, and almost a perfect family dog. But some people want to whether it known as hunting or not. In a single line, the answer is yes. The second question that comes to my mind is does it still has the capability to hunt. Again, the answer is a big YES!
Golden Retrievers have a very strong legacy of hunting and retrieving which takes us back to 1800 in Scotland. Hunters were facing difficulty in retrieving from marshy lands so they opted Golden Retriever breed. Do you want to learn more about how to improve hunting? Ok! Let’s dive deep into the hunting process for the dog and share some practical tips and trips with you that will help you and your amazing Golden Retriever hunt quickly.
Why Golden Retrievers are Considered Good Hunters?
Before we dig deep into the hunting process and pro tips, let’s examine why a Golden Retriever has a very good reputation as a hunting dog.
Breeding or Genetics
The main purpose of breeding a Golden Retriever was to find a good hunting dog. Previously people used to go hunting with dogs but they were able to hunt on plain lands and they were almost helpless for marshy lands. So, we can comfortably rely on a strong legacy, more than 2 centuries, of its hunting and retrieving nature.
Astonishing Smell Sense
Typically, a dog can smell 10 thousand or 1 million times more than a normal human being. Apart from these statistics, a Golden Retriever has amazing sensing skills. It helps him to track the prey, follow it, and attack when the perfect opportunity is available.
Irrespective of the gliding distance of the bird, it can track the bird accurately. You just need to take your amazing Golden Retriever with you for hunting.
Easy and Eager to Train
A dog can perform hunting tasks even without training but those will not be so remarkable. But all dogs are not eager to get training. Fortunately, a Golden Retriever is a smart and intelligent dog who loves training.
It will take just a few weeks you will be able to train your Retriever for almost everything including hunting. It will actively and willingly participate in training sessions. If you can’t spare time for the train, then consult a professional trainer and the results will be amazing in just a few months.
Intelligence
If you have ever heard about the intelligence of a Golden Retriever, then actually that’s true. A Golden Retriever knows how to quickly reach the destination by using shortcuts. It can also solve different puzzles.
You might be surprised about its smartness, when it grabs the bird, after hunting, with mild stress so that it remains alive when you see the bird. Impressed? Well! Remain confident about its intelligence as it will bring the bird safely to you.
Energy Level
The energy level of a Golden Retriever is astonishing and almost unbelievable. You will seldom see it sitting on the couch or at any other place. In peacetime, it needs a playtime of at least 45 minutes to one hour to consume its aggression and energy.
If you are going on a far furlong area and planning a full date hunt, then remain confident about the Retriever. It will accompany you actively throughout the day while you are busy hunting.
Steps to Make the Golden Retriever a Perfect Hunter
By genetics and legacy, a Golden Retriever knows how to hunt. But becoming a master of the field is quite the opposite thing.
Here is a complete step-by-step guide to training your dog and making a good hunter:
Holding Prey
It may grab the prey very firmly causing him or her to die. So, make sure you teach your dog regarding perfect method of holding the prey. It should be a gentle and soft method.
Obedience
First of all, teach your dog to fulfill your orders and instructions. It should clearly follow your commandments otherwise it will be difficult for you to ask him to do hunting tasks.
Real Hunting
If you can train above said procedures to your lovely Golden Retriever, then time has come to bring him for the hunting. It should now asset you perfectly for preying. Enjoy preying with your stunning Golden Retriever!
Sprinting
Sprinting will be required for a perfect bird chase. So, you will guide your dog to make short sprints and come back immediately. This process will develop a habit of going and coming back immediately.
Mock Prey
After teaching your dog basic things, now you will fire a mock prey and ask your dog to bring it to you. Initially, it may hesitate and can delay but gradually it will grasp the procedure and bring up the mock prey to you immediately.
Gun Shot Familiarization
Although a Golden Retriever is a brave dog, but it should be made comfortable with the gun shot. Otherwise, it become panic when it will listen gun shots during real hunting phase. So, before going for the actual hunting, make your dog comfortable with the gun shot sound!
Conclusion
If you have any kind of doubt about the hunting abilities of a Golden Retriever, then immediately remove them from your memory, Due to its strong legacy, intelligence, smartness, and very high energy level it can hunt almost all types of birds. Be confident about your Retriever if you are going on a hunting trip next time!
