Now in paperback. Proven, humane dog-handling methods. Detailed description of the quarry, its habitat, and its characteristics.

Tales and true stories about hunters, their dogs and the upland game and waterfowl they hunt.

America's top professional trainers reveal how you can use their methods.

Now in paperback Effective training techniques for bird dogs, retrievers, and flushers Photos illustrate techniques and equipment Veteran trainer and hunter Bill Tarrant goes beyond simple gun dog training and teaches handlers how to correct flaws in a dog's behavior in the field. He first explains how to "read" a dog--how to identify faults such as hard mouth and gun shyness--and then prescribes solutions for problems specific to each of the three major classifications of gun dogs--bird dogs, retrievers, and flushers.

This fantastic and comprehensive handbook on gun dogs contains chapters on everything from breeding and selection to breaking, training, and beyond. Interspersed with photographs and useful information, "Gun Dogs" constitutes a must-have for all owners and breeders of hunting dogs, and it would make for a fantastic addition to collections of related literature. Contents include: "The Gun Dog's Kennel", "The Gun Dog and its Food", "The Selection, Examination and Trail of a Gun Dog prior to Purchase", "Gun-Dog Breeding", "Jobbing or Hiring Dogs", "Breeding and Breaking Gun Dogs for Pleasure and Profit", "The Flat-Coated Retriever", "The Labrador Retriever", "The Golden Retriever", etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in a modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on gun dogs.

Mike Gaddis swore to be painfully selective in choosing the puppy that would accompany him on the horseback pointing dog trials he so badly wanted to participate in. He knew the smallest female born sixth in the litter of twelve English setters was special, but he didn't understand the power of her potential until he let her loose in the field. Her lightning speed earned her the name Zip Zap, and she grew to be the best bird dog Gaddis ever owned. In this memoir, Gaddis celebrates the dog's indomitable spirit and tells the story of training and developing superior pointers, from their first unrefined runs in the amateur puppy stakes to winning major championships.

You may not realize it, but many of today's most popular dog breeds were actually bred hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago to be expert hunters. Their size, coat, color, behavior, and unique abilities were all carefully selected and engineered to assist in the hunting of game big and small, including deer, foxes, waterfowl, and even rats. Some were also bred to assist on the farm, working as shepherds. Though more often found walking on leash and lounging in living rooms today, these special breeds are still used by modern hunters for the same purposes for which they were originally bred. This book introduces the reader to the various classes, types, and breeds of hunting dogs, their various specialized characteristics, their skills, and their temperament. This is an indispensable guide to anyone considering buying and training a hunting dog, and a fascinating read for any dog, or history, lover.

Training Your Pointing Dog for Hunting and Home tells how to develop an obedient gun dog that is also an affectionate family companion, with training schedules and advice on everything from handling a newborn pup to teaching advanced field techniques and finely tuned pointing manners. The book presents a simplified, commonsense approach that can be used in its entirety or to troubleshoot individual aspects of your dog's education. Explains the importance of early obedience training and appropriate transition to the field, including tips for retrieving, quartering, sight pointing, and bird work. With proper care and handling, you can cultivate your pup's natural aptitudes and achieve a rewarding relationship with a healthy, happy gun dog. • Tells how to choose the right breed for your personality and hunting and includes training tips for housebreaking and basic living commands • Techniques for introducing the gun, achieving staunchness on point, and advanced field quartering and retrieving • Preventing problem behaviors of deer chasing, blinking, gun shyness, hardmouth, short stopping

Covers flushing breeds and training for upland game work.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.