I doubt you'll have a 400 yard dog, given her breeding. Two hundred, maybe, but you can always reel her in a bit with training. Personally, I like a dog to range about 100 most of the time with an occasional foray out to 150 or so to hit a particular target. I've seen lots of folks trying to keep their pointing dogs in too close. Let 'em do their job and stay out of their way as much as possible. You have many enjoyable seasons ahead of you. The only problem is that they will pass too quickly. Good luck and keep us posted.

Beautiful setter Tom, I have 3, including young Fancy, who I am currently training. Who is your trainer In WV? Nice meeting you at Hausmann's

Thanks,

Bruce Shaffer. Almost Heaven Kennels.

Gary,

Think you nailed it. I've taken her out twice on my own. I'd say she is a 100 yard dog right now and maybe even 75 when its thick.

The following was taken yesterday and it was her first point when I've been handling her and was on a planted quail:


http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...quailpoint.jpg

She followed up yesterday with pointing a few more today. She was a bit unsure on this one, but didn't break point until I flushed the quail. At 6 months old I'm just happy as can be that she is this staunch:


http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/...nddayquail.jpg

Yep, you've got a long and enjoyable road ahead. It is not uncommon for a young dog to stay a bit closer until she gets her confidence built up. She'll loosen up some with time and you will be able to see it happen. This time is important to you as well because you will gradually become confident and comfortable in her bird handling performance. In grouse cover she'll be out of sight most of the time so you need the confidence in her ability to hold birds until you get there.

Have fun! The puppy days are some of the best.

Gary, I guess you and I have a different idea of "Grouse Cover". I don't think I want my GWP out of sight any more than occasionally.

Different world out there now Bill. Many owners don't want a close ranging dog, they want a dog that will reach out there and operate at 200 yards or further. Sometimes much further. I've got a buddy who has a honest 400 yard dog. The dog will of course stay closer if he smells birds closer, but if there are no birds to smell that dog will hunt way way out there. I personally wouldn't want or need a dog out that far. The trainer thinks Sophie is a 75-100 yard dog which is pretty much a close ranging dog these day. Even that kind of range doesn't necessarily work well in some cases. I know more then one fellow who wants their dogs to range like a flusher (35-50 yards) and just point the birds instead of flush the bird. That fellow hunts on a lot of preserves and wants that dog real close or it will be out of the planted field and into someone else's assigned cover.

PS. A GPS tracking collar is a must for these long ranging dogs. They operate well out of beeper or bell range.

Two thumbs up for my Garmin GPS tracking collars. We cover thousands of acres a day and I like my dogs to hunt about a 180 degree arc in front of me ranging out to a max of 200 yards. They will quarter 200 yards to the left and 200'yards to my right. Of course they find birds a lot closer most of the time. I also like them checking in every 5 minutes or so. Pretty open country where we hunt many times, really works well when hunting a long wide draw.
You have a Beautiful pup with a great point.

Tom, she has a really nice point, her tail is nice and high, you will have fun this fall.

Wonderful pup. Congratulations.