Upland Hunts with Springer Spaniels Gus & Perla at Orapax Hunting Preserve
It started off as puppy obedience for newly adopted Springer Spaniel, Perla, in early 2020. Then the pandemic hit, lockdown went in place, and the outdoors socially-distant private lessons provided a sense of normalcy in a very uncertain time. After working with Pro-Trainer, Neal Kauder of Orapax Hunting Preserve to build a solid foundation, Perla was soon introduced to birds and got hooked!
Watching her in the field, you can just see how much fun she has searching for quail and making a beeline directly for the bird that was just downed for retrieval. I think the retrieve may just be her favorite part of the day; she comes back so bouncy and proud of herself.
Perla’s intensity in the field gives way to a softer, playful, more cuddly side at home with her mom, Jen, and big brother, Gus. Both of them have the best wiggle butts and bring smiles to everyone they meet.
A Master dock diver, we shouldn’t have been surprised by Gus’ athleticism and ability in the field. This was his first time, and without any formal field training like his sister, he displayed an amazing amount of steadiness and natural flushing and retrieving instincts. A frisbee-obsessed pup, I wonder if he just thought these birds were frisbees with wings?!
Speaking of dock diving, this pup holds a personal best of 21’11’.’ (He came in 7th place at the Dock Diving World Championships in 2019.) That sport is really what got these pups into upland hunting in the first place, as Jen wanted Perla to have a solid sit/stay on the dock along with a reliable recall.
Enter training at Orapax and the rest is history.
“I’m happy seeing them work and have an outlet for their energy. As a whole, learning to work together with your dogs makes the relationship better all around. In the field or on the dock, it really is teamwork. I believe we share a deeper bond because of it, and that’s what it’s all about for me.”
- Jen, Gus & Perla’s mom
So, when is hunting not really about hunting at all? When it’s about the start of another sport and the journey into nature.
When it’s about watching your dogs having fun, working together towards a common goal, learning more and more about each other, strengthening the bond you share through training, and the friends you make along the way.
I can’t wait to get my own bird-dog and join in.
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