skunkstripe
10-13-2007, 11:50 AM
If you need proof that the loss of a leg does not have to mean the loss of enjoyment or ability for a dog, take a look at the story of Tess, the German Shorthaired Pointer, who not only can holds her own finding and pointing a pheasant, but got a perfect score at the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association's "premier event."
Tess still had stitches from the amputation when Kemmer let her tag along on a pheasant hunt. His other two dogs, who were still in the puppy stage, had trouble finding a downed pheasant. Kemmer gave Tess a chance.
"Within five minutes, she had it," Kemmer said. "She hadn't yet learned how to balance and she couldn't retrieve. So she just stood on the pheasant."
That's when the training began.
...
Nate Larson, a dog trainer from Isabel, S.D., said many hunters in the area have heard about the story of Tess.
"You cannot train that into an animal," Larson said. "Obviously that dog came from stock ... that had just plain heart. A lot of dogs in that situation would have quit on you."
full story and picture at source: http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1266778
Tess still had stitches from the amputation when Kemmer let her tag along on a pheasant hunt. His other two dogs, who were still in the puppy stage, had trouble finding a downed pheasant. Kemmer gave Tess a chance.
"Within five minutes, she had it," Kemmer said. "She hadn't yet learned how to balance and she couldn't retrieve. So she just stood on the pheasant."
That's when the training began.
...
Nate Larson, a dog trainer from Isabel, S.D., said many hunters in the area have heard about the story of Tess.
"You cannot train that into an animal," Larson said. "Obviously that dog came from stock ... that had just plain heart. A lot of dogs in that situation would have quit on you."
full story and picture at source: http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=104&sid=1266778