What makes a Beagle retrieve rabbits?

Anderson Upland Beagles · Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:13 am

Ive come to believe greed if another dog is around the pick up the rabbit kinda like a bone so the other one don't get it .Ive gunned many grouse with the old dog and he find dead and stay with till i get to em..but never picked it up just pull a few feathers out .he just new id come pick it up .years in the woods together and the same with turkeys .it is plus if they bring the game back ive judge trial where they got the rabbit and one wants to carry it around just to keep it from the others .or they fight over it

jt&z's dad · Post by **jt&z's dad** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:18 am

I've had 3 that would retrieve. My Bandit dog will deliver to hand if he is running solo. I believe he would probably retrieve more if the other dogs wouldn't pester him after they reach the downed rabbit.

bradadkins · Post by **bradadkins** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:55 am

Ken,
My pups out of Jessie are doing great. Banshee has been in 2 trails and got 6th both times out of like 70 dogs. They have big chop mouths, good jump dogs and claims really quick. When you breed her again let me know. I'll make a trip to pick one up

John Lear · Post by **John Lear** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:48 am

I read an article on this once and it had some good advice that has worked for me.
When pups are little and love to chew on everything take a chew toy and let them have it for just a few minutes but take it before they get tired. Then tie a string on it and throw it back to them. Then once they have a good hold on it pull it back to you with the string. Keep repeating this until they don't pull against you as much as at the beginning and will give the toy to you more willingly. You will only notice a little difference. Keep this up until they get old enough that they don't like the game any more.
Then in hunting season when you shoot a rabbit DO NOT run over and pick the rabbit up as we all do. Get just close enough to the rabbit that you can make sure no dog carries it off or eats it. Then encourage the dog everytime it smells the rabbit and use the same words as when you were using when you were playing the "toy on the string" game. Usually within a half a dozen rabbits the dog will at least pick the rabbit up then encourage them and pet on them like crazy and it will increase from there.
Good luck but it has worked for me on both of the dogs that I tried it on and they were under 3 and one was under 2.

BradWV · Post by **BradWV** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:59 pm

He may be interested in selling her, but it would take a few pretty pennies! The bottom side of the male goes back to some Branko dogs.

Drop_tine · Post by **Drop_tine** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 5:58 pm

When you breed her again let me know. I'll make a trip to pick one up

I'll second that

I've seen a few dogs retrieve. Only one would do it consistant, he's in rabbit dog heaven. He was also one of the best jump dogs I've had the chance to see.

Beagle Huntsman · Post by **Beagle Huntsman** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:14 pm

It's mostly intelligence and wanting to please the master. I had a dog named Janitor who is back in the Woodpont pedigrees who would bring every rabbit to me. I remember one time out in Nebraska another guy shot a rabbit way across a big ravine and Janitor picked it up and brought it across to me. I had to laugh because the other guy was yelling for his rabbit. It didn't matter to Janitor who shot the rabbit because he was taking it to me.

These days I run such a big pack that there is no such thing as a retrieve. What the pack kills, they eat. Sometimes I get there in time to gather a few pieces....

Dave C · Post by **Dave C** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:19 pm

I have had two males that would retreive rabbits.The male I have now has been retreiving since he was about a year old.It sure makes it nice when you shoot a rabbit in real thick cover,to have a dog that will bring it to you.

Done Gone Beagles · Post by **Done Gone Beagles** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 3:57 pm

I have a few will retrieve,couple of young dogs.I was going to get rid of this one dog at one time took it out one last time not only did it retrieve but jump up on the tailgate and got in the dog box what a deal.

MObeagler79 · Post by **MObeagler79** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:36 pm

He must have found out about your plan and decided he needed to impress you, lol.

Air Force Ken · Post by **Air Force Ken** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:01 am

Hey Brad

If Jessie's sister is as good as she is I would consider buying her. Send me a PM with your number and we can work out some details.

Ken

cspot · Post by **cspot** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:37 am

Ken I sent you a pm

Glomski · Post by **Glomski** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:40 am

Brains......The dogs understanding that the rabbit belongs to their master.

Some lines of dogs are more apt to retrieve.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:30 pm

I have to agree with allot of what has been said.
I have two dogs that do it,my five year old male done it the last time out(that was his first time) and my 3year old female has started doing it regularly.The first time she done it,I was running my pup with her and I think she didn't want that pup chewing on the rabbit,from then on it seems like she is just happy to bring it to me.
My male that done it for the first time... you could almost see the grin on his face,he hadn't been out of the kennel in a long time.I think happiness and enjoying their masters companionship in the field has allot to do with it.
I strongly agree with it having to do with rabbit dogs being seasoned rabbit dogs.I've always said they get better with every rabbit killed over them,retrieving is a perfect example.

weaver240000 · Post by **weaver240000** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:35 am

Good thread. I dont rabbit hunt but I raise rabbits for my dog to start on. If on gets loose I send my 5 yr. old male in afer them. He not only retrieves them but brings them back alive for me to put pack inm the cage. There is some horrifying screaming from the rabbits though. He is a good dog Just championed him out over the weekend.