What Makes a Good Picking Up Dog
The last shot has echoed across the valley, and the whistle sounds to signal the end of the drive. For the guns and their peg dogs, the main action is over. But for another specialist team, the work is just beginning. This is the realm of the picking up dog, the unsung hero of the shooting field, tasked with the vital job of ensuring no shot game is left behind.
But what separates a truly exceptional picking up dog from the rest? It’s not just about fetching. It's a complex blend of innate talent, high-level training, and a specific temperament.
Whether you're training your first gundog or looking to refine a seasoned companion, understanding these core qualities is essential.
1. Steadiness, Patience, and Quiet
This is the absolute, non-negotiable foundation. A picking up dog often has to sit patiently, sometimes off-lead, for a long time while the drive is in progress. They must remain perfectly still and, above all, quiet. No whining, no barking, and no "creeping" forward as birds fall. This mental stability allows them to wait for their handler's command after the drive, ignoring the chaos and focusing on their job when the time comes.
2. A Superior "Nose" and Game-Finding Drive
A picking up dog’s primary tool is its nose. They are not just retrieving birds they saw fall (seen retrieves); their main job is finding the ones nobody saw. This includes:
"Lost" birds: Birds that fell unseen into thick cover, ditches, or woodland.
"Runners": Wounded birds that have run from where they landed.
This requires a dog with a phenomenal scenting ability and an insatiable "will to hunt." They must have the persistence to follow the faintest scent trail, crashing through brambles or working dense cover until the bird is found.
3. Marking Ability and Memory
While the nose is key for unseen birds, a good picking up dog is also an expert "marker." During the drive, they will be watching the sky, "marking" (remembering) the location of multiple birds as they fall. When sent, a dog with good marking ability can go directly to the area of each fall, making the retrieval process incredibly efficient. This is a sign of high intelligence and focus.
4. Stamina and Persistence
Picking up is not a sprint; it's a marathon. These dogs work all day, often covering many miles over challenging terrain—from steep, muddy banks to thick sugar beet crops. They must have the physical fitness to keep going and the mental toughness to stay engaged, even on a long, cold, and wet day when retrieves are few and far between.
5. A Soft Mouth and a Clean Delivery
Finally, the entire purpose of the retrieve is to deliver the bird to the handler in a fit state for the table. A "soft mouth" is essential. The dog must carry the bird gently but firmly, without biting down or damaging it. This is combined with a clean delivery, bringing the bird straight back to the handler and releasing it neatly to hand.
The Complete Package
A good picking up dog is the perfect blend of a calm, steady temperament and a high-drive, persistent hunting machine. They are the intelligent, reliable partners that every shoot depends on.
Training a dog to this standard is a long but incredibly rewarding journey. It requires building on their natural instincts while instilling flawless obedience and control.
Would you like to explore the specific training exercises we use to develop these key qualities?