I've never had a quill in any of my setters. They have pointed quite a few. I simply pull them off with a stern warning and tell them to move on.
I know several guys that porky proof their dogs in a similar fashion to snake or deer proofing. Set the dog up to investigate a fresh road killed porky and when the dog shows interest burn them with the collar hard. If the dog has any brains at all it should only take once, maybe two times.
Of my bird dog owning acquaintances those with continental breeds are most plagued with porky problems and vet bills. Some on numerous occasions. The propensity to grab and kill is bad news. I always discourage it, be it mice, chipmunks, skunks, or anything else.
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