Trad Gang

When you hunt squirrels with your trad gear, do you use a dog i have heard of guys using them. If so what type works best and will it hunt other game also.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/mountainfeist.htm

I have an excellent squirrel dog, she will tree them and sit at the base of the tree until I get there. The only problem is I got to be right there when they fall out of the tree our Zena claims them for her self and once she has them you don't get them back    :biglaugh:  

Zena is a multi mix, her mother was wolf & Australian Sheperd her farther was Chow & Pit Bull.  The guy I got her from raises gaurd dogs and she was one of 3 of the runts that they where going to destroy (sad) I told them I would take her and she has been the best dog I have ever had!

Stone how are you?I have a lovely pitbull,shes 14 years old now so doesnt get out like she used to.She was a great all around hunting dog.She would run through the sumac as long as we were out puting up woodcock and rabbits,really she was just having fun but it served a dual purpose. When she treed a squirrel, if they made it to the tree before she made it to them she'd put her front paws on the tree and cry until I got there.Im not  much of a squirrel hunter so Id pull her off the tree.Theyre not true bird dogs of course but they make a fine woods companion/hunting dogs.I dont know if you have any experience with them but when theyre raised in a good home they are one of the most loving dogs out there ,very bright and so emotional its almost funny.If I had to recommend a non classic hunting dog itd be a pit bull for sure.And theres a ton of pups at any pound.Oh did I mention they can climb trees?

I have a Mountain Curr thats a good tree dog. Thinking about breeding her to my lab to get a dog that trees and then brings em to me. Don

I have two pretty good with squirrels, one is a orginal mountain cur and the other is a Kemmer bred mountain cur. Both will tree and hold a squirrel, which is good, because I seldom hit one the first shot. I need to cross them with a lab and then train them to locate and bring back my arrows.

I would have to say Mtn. Cur also We raise some pups about every year and one of the best things about these dogs a very high percentage goes on to make good tree dogs. We use ours on squirrel,Coon ,ground hogs, possums. if it will climb they will tree it.

i heard of a dog called a fiest i think.
a friend says he canoes along the river real slow and when the dog catches the scent, the chase is on!
the dog just barks and sits at the base of whatever tree the squill is in.
it sounds pretty neat!
i was thinking of getting one.....but i have to wait until the non hunting s.o.b i have kicks the bucket  

I met a guy in Ohio who cross bred between Rat Terriers and a couple of other small breeds. He said they were helthy and easy to train for squirrels.

I have a mountain feist and a kemmer bred mountain cur.  Both are fair squirrel dogs and will tree an easy coon.  As far as using them for bowhunting, I don't use them for that very often.  Part of the problem is that I hunt alone and it is very hard to get a bow shot at a squirrel when he is lying on top of a big ole limb.  It may work better if you hunt with someone who can help maneuver the squirrel into shooting position.  Personally, I think that Beagles and bows go together much better.  JMOA.

Squirrel dogs are awesome. I've hunted with some dandys. Now my old fat cross breed is heck on wheels for chipmunks. She can be sound asleep on the porch but you let one chipmunk squeek and she won't come home till she's got in her mouth. I'm like mich-mtnman I gotta wait till this old girl leaves for a better place before I could even think about getting another dog.

i did have a dashund that was a hell of a squirrel dog.  she went down into a rotten pine stump one time chasing a squirrel.  i could hear her barking and growling at the squirrel.  sounded like she was three or four feet under the ground.  she finally came out with the squirrel.  i have a jack russel now and he has great potenial.  he's only one and a half but he's chasing and treeing squirrels in the back yard.  looking forward to taking him out next fall.

I'm partial to the mountain feist.  They are small and good with the kids.  They are absolute death on four legged fur.  Very important if your neighbors have cats! If you have a lot of coyotes you will go through a lot of feists.  Their only downfall that I know of is they are fearless.  This is a new one for the girls.

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Already treeing at 10 weeks!

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I'll prolly get heat for this, but what the heck- I use my standard poodle (yeah, poodle...), Bear. Trees squirrels real well, covers terrian just as well as any working or sporting breed, and damn if he isn't the most obediant pooch I've ever had!

You know, once my Blue Heeler gets the idea of what we are doing----she turns into a pretty good all-around small game hunting dog. She consistently trees squirrels in my yard and she is hell on rabbits. She will actively hunt rabbits which in turn holds them for me to shoot at----she won't generally range out more than 30 yards or so(unless she hasn't been out in a while then she runs a bit). We have killed lots of critters that way.

I think the cattle dog breeds are the smartest ones, they can be a bit hard-headed so I recommend a female. They will enthusiastically learn anything you care to teach them----not to mention they are a good friend and loyal.

Jeff

Bowspirit----Standard poodles are GREAT hunting dogs! My uncle has run them for years with his Walkers and they are just great. Watch out though, they can be a bit over-aggressive with the bigger stuff like bears and lions.

Jeff

Got a black and tan mini dachshhund boy she sure does hate them squirrels and chipmunks.She weights all of 7 1/2 pounds and thinks she's 80pounds.

I have a border collie that loves to hunt and tree squirrels. She is very aggressive and every now and then she catches one on the ground, then the fight is on!    Ben

Im looking for one right now!!  :)

My Jack Russel does a good job with squirrels.
Dang dog is real smart..

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Just got myself a project squirrel dog. 8 week old "Jackabee" a beagle and Russell mix.Should have a good nose but yet the terrier in him should make him pretty spunky.

I have a mix between a Austrailian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) and terrier, who is one of the best squirrel dogs I have ever seen.  He is also one of the best small animal dogs I have ever hunted with.

Problem with the dog is he is too smart. When I miss he looks at me like I'm not too bright. I have shot at a running rabbit, and where I shot over it, he went back and looked at the spot, sniffed and gave me a dirty look.  

I have seen some GREAT squirrel dogs, in many breeds, but it seems like a generic Fiest or terrier is best, doesn't need to be purebred. Also from what I've seen, not all dogs in the same litter are good squirrel dogs.

Even though I really like large dogs, woods bumming with a bow and a smaller dog seems so natural.

waterone

I have a Rat Terrier. I got her from my doughter about a year ago. She is great on Squirrels. That little dog is a lot of fun to hunt with. She loves to hunt, almost as much as I do.      
       
  Tim

i have a 3 year old jack russel she likes to run down anything furry.for some reason everytime i take her out i see coyotes i don't know if they come into her barking or smell but when she sees them she goes after them because shes alittle on the mental side.i've never got a shot at one of them because she takes after'em then i have to run her down.

Waterone-----heckyes. It just feels right wandering through the brush with a good little dog.
And I have the same problems with mine-----she gives me some pretty disgusted looks from time to time as she critiques my shooting....

Jeff

www.sqdog.com (http://www.sqdog.com)

Im lookin at a mullins fiest right now!

Corrected my post. Sorry for the misinformation.