Here's a new question. Does it make a difference? 

My first GSP named Abby was bought from a breeder that used horses.  Very often we would take Abby out and she would disappear in the woods...always coming back on call.  When she was a pup, she would bolt out the door and run.  Much harder to keep close.

After my husband and I separated, I got Cooper.  His breeder hunted on foot.  Cooper stays within 100ft of me at all times.  9 months later, my exhusband and I both got Penny Lane and Calamity Jane from the same breeder.  Neither of these pups will wander more than 200' from us.

Any thoughts on whether or not that makes a difference?  None of these dogs have ever been in a fenced yard, but I can see how if Abby wouldn't have learned her boundaries, we may have needed one.  Are the dogs that bolts and jump over fences from different types of breeders?

The use of horses or not by a breeder certainly does not predispose a dog to be a "bolter", if that's what you are asking. This is a twist to an age old question that often sparks fiery debate. Easiest to speak from personal experience I suppose. We do both horseback and foot trials with our dogs (and hunt tests which makes us somewhat outside the norm for trialers) and our pups have always learned to adjust their range to fit their owners.

To come at it a different way, our dogs are not all age dogs, but they do run a BIG gundog or shooting dog range and all of them can be in the house when the door opens and show no inclination to bolt.

It's just a training issue.

Maybe what I should have asked was:

"Does a dog that comes from a lineage that does horseback trials have a farther range than ones that  come from a foot trial lineage?"

Abby always roamed farther from us than the three other pups from the same, but different breeder that did not use horses.

That makes sense to me, I just never had anyone confirm it.  We were always curious why Abby seemed to "disappear" (she was always safe) and the other dogs stayed so close.

I totally disagree with Pixie but will not get drawn into this stupid argument over and over. If you'd like an opinion from someone with actual experience with field trial lines, please pm me.

Jean

Jean,
why am I wrong? FT breeders don't breed to produce FT candidates?

No arguement, would just like to know what I said that you don't agree with.

PM me if you like.
thanks,

Francine

 

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I would agree that the dogs range is "much" genetic.  Just is our "range".   Just think how some guys are real comfortable in new surroundings or in the middle of a forest while others would rather stay closer to a road.

I have a Brittany from a hall of fame FT line and regardless of how much i work and work to attempt to turn him into a close worker......its just never happened.  Did he close up some.....yea a little but that was my doing not his.  He is much like your dog.........confident and out hunting.  Though i may not see or know his exact local...im sure he does mine.  I accept it and for now accepting it and not fighting it we are a better team.

Thank you for all the responses.  It's a trait I was curious about.