Originally Posted by
barry581
Tumicks - You asked a pretty simple question that for me has a pretty complex answer. So here goes. And keep in mind I don't hunt anymore, and haven't for a long time.
Yes, I would want a dog that could tirelessly work cover for a day of hunting upland game. And yes, I want to see some drive and enthusiasm when sent for downed game. I want to see a dog who will indeed fearlessly and enthusiastically enter and work heavy cover, cold icy water, mud, muck and any of the myriad of things you could encounter during a day in the field. But what I want to see more than anything, is a dog that is completely under control of it's handler. I want to see team work.
Personally I don't think using the word intensity is a bad word to describe how a dog is working in the field (or show ring, obedience ring, etc). Brooks is pretty intense, he leaves the line like a rocket propelled grenade when I send him on a retrieve. One lady I train with laughs every time I send Brooks, because she can't believe a dog his size can go that hard. Brooks is NOT a big dog, he's well within the standard both height and weight. He just looks big when you see him next to some of the field bred dogs we train with on a regular basis. IRISHWHISLTER has used them "stylish" to describe Brooks working in the field.
I will admit that I am struggling bit with Brooks intensity, specifically with line manners. He can be pretty vocal when he gets amped up, and has displayed that behavior at the hunt test we've done. He can also be on a hair trigger ready to launch, again worse when he's amped up. Normally not an issue training, but at tests, and live flyers, it can be a problem. All things we are working on, and if you could see how he was even 6 months ago compared to now, you'd be amazed how far we've come. That being said, he's still not close to where I want/need him to be as far as being totally under control, and working with me.
So in a nutshell, I want to see a driven, motivated, and yes, some intensity in a working retrieve, but I want it controlled.