Can a Border Collie be a gundog? Photo included

[jennageit]

Hi Guys,

Recently, my working sheepdog (purebred Border Collie) lost his job. He was downsized lol

We have no sheep, and do not plan on getting any. (I've had it with the RSPCA constantly taking photo's of my animals over our boundaries - nothing wrong with the sheep but they don't agree). Consequently, my boy is out of work.

He has a huge amount of drive, and seems to enjoy chasing the 80 or so wood ducks off the dam. The pluver usually gets a run as well and the ibis flap furiously to get out of his way.

Do you think it'd be possible to turn this drive into hunting/retrieving?

He's incredibly obedient, and stays by my side unless I send him out. The sheepdog training has done wonders for his obedience, unless he follows his d!#k that is.

So, could it be done?
Has anyone ever trained a Border Collie for hunting, or even as a bird dog?

Thought's please!

Jenna

PS. I'm home from hospital (Happily) and I am carefully moving around on crutches at a snails pace, but am working on building up my strength so that I can get out there and enjoy life again!

These are my two Borders.

[Westy]

Yes Yes Yes one of the best I have ever seen Clark Mc Ghee uses them all the time!!!!!

[FuzzyM]

They are incredibly intelligent, I imagine with training you could teach them to do just about anything.

Our Border Collie we had when I was growing up used to climb up and slide down slides in the playground!

[jennageit]

Does anyone know how I could start them/him?

I'm a damn good trainer, but I've never tried to train a gundog.

[Patrol66]

I think one of the training methods would be to present him with a fresh fox etc. so he can learn its scent, shape , colour.

From what I've heard they make fantastic hunting dogs, pigs, deer, you name it, they do it.

[whert]

I'm not an expert on this so correct me if wrong, but there is a list of approved breeds for hunting with dogs in Victoria and border collie aint on it

WILDLIFE (GAME) REGULATIONS 2012 (SR NO 99 OF 2012) - SCHEDULE 5
SCHEDULE 5
APPROVED DOGS FOR HUNTING

Dunno why they pick what they pick. What's wrong with a border collie

[jennageit]

Why can't it be the same as it is for sheepdogs.

It doesn't really matter what the breed is, so long as it shows good herding ability, and a willingness to work! Obviously it has to prove itself, but still!

Okay, so maybe I wont take my Border's "hunting", but I'm sure I can get them working here at home. I'm not going to get sheep any more (too much of a nightmare) so i'm looking at potty calves instead.

My dogs love to chase the hairs, and I'm not going to say no if they manage to pick up a bunny or two.

[Patrol66]

Legally he can't be used to hunt Deer, nothing wrong with training him up to hunt with you for rabbits etc.
my 2 c

[jennageit]

That's okay, I'm not planning on hunting deer, so that's okay lol

[whert]

Legally he can't be used to hunt Deer, nothing wrong with training him up to hunt with you for rabbits etc.

Cool.

Sorry to confuse things before then, thought it worth mentioning just to be safe.

[Davies]

I think one of the training methods would be to present him with a fresh fox etc. so he can learn its scent, shape , colour.

From what I've heard they make fantastic hunting dogs, pigs, deer, you name it, they do it.

I haven't trained one up myself but they're definitely capable.

Have a few mates and family with them and they're smart and eager to work.

Retrieve for a border collie is no challenge once they learn.

[Redwood]

I'm a damn good trainer, but I've never tried to train a gundog.

I think one of the training methods would be to present him with a fresh fox etc. so he can learn its scent, shape , colour.

I'm no expert trainer but from the blokes I know who've used dogs you're basically teaching them an expanded version of fetch.

You might have seen them at your local firearms dealer but they do dummy ducks and scent to train dogs to retrieve. Same principle as fetching a ball. Start at small distances, get them to retrieve, reward them with food for succeeding, repeat while stretching out the distance.

I don't see why you couldn't apply the same to foxes/rabbits?

[jennageit]

Thanks guys, i'll look at the local GS to see if I can find something. My boy fetches really well, but it's the bitch who's on top for this one. I've taught her to not only fetch, but to place whatever she's brought back to me, right into my hands.

We'll see how they go eh, and I'll let you know if i'm successful or not

[Herdsman]

Sounds like she's most of the way there already.

As long as she won't eat the ducks on the way back