Whether you've already purchased America's next great hunting dog or just plan on doing so sometime soon, there's no shortage of canine-related gear that you'll want to have at your disposal. Rover's going to need more than just a collar and a go-getter attitude if you're going to turn him into a champion in the field. Here are 10 products that you'll want to have on hand if you're about to break in a furry new hunting partner, all of which can be found through Cheaper Than Dirt.
If you've chosen a long-haired breed, a quality brush will be a necessity. The FURminator Soft Brush makes for an ideal choice. It's a professional quality tool for separating and untangling fur. This twin headed slicker brush has straight bristles on one side and bent bristles on the other side. Both sides feature soft bristles that glide through silky and wire coats to remove stubborn mats and tangles without damaging the coat.
Yes, there are dogs out there that have never required a training collar—but it's good to have one, in case your pooch is a little more hardheaded. PetPal Training Systems offers a broad selection of sizes and styles. The particular model offers eight levels, and requires a 6V battery.
It's not fancy, but it doesn't have to be—the training dummy has been a gundog staple for nearly as long as there have been gundogs. The Super-Pro Training Dummy line from D.T. Systems will suit any canine just fine.
Even the strongest shoulders won't hold up well over hundreds of dummy tosses. That's where the DT Systems Remote Dummy Launcher System comes in. It offers one-handed, remote dummy launching and is as easy-as-ever to use. It ships with a remote transmitter that can control up to 16 different launchers, a Safe-T-Ratchet Cocking Mechanism to help prevent misfires and more. Give your labrum a day off.
You've already got plenty of your own gear to haul around—why don't you let Fido carry some of his own weight? The Stansport Saddle Bag For Dogs lets your gundog do just that. It fits most dogs weighing between 30 and 90 pounds, and is made of lightweight, durable materials. A breathable back panel prevents hot spots and chafing.
If you intend to make use of Rover's nose, you're going to have to get him used to smelling your prey. The Pete Rickards Dog Training Scents line makes that easier than ever. It includes scents such as pheasant rabbit, duck and grouse.
Familiarizing your gundog to firearms is a big step, and one that should be handled as delicately as possible. A gun shy hunting dog isn't helping anybody. A Traditions Starter Pistol is an efficient way to get the process underway. It's a light duty 6mm caliber blank gun that loads seven crimped 6mm acorn blank cartridges and can operate in double- or single-action.
You're going to want to keep your dog as hydrated as possible when afield, and here's a way to do it without much hassle. TheBrowning Dog Water box features a unique self-filling design—the vacuum pressure keeps the water reservoir full, without overflowing. The box can support up to 2½ gallons of water, and has a stainless steel design.
A good whistle is a gundog-training staple, and this Pete Rickards Dual Tone Dog Training Whistle delivers twice the value—it produces two distinct tones to be used for different commands.
You've probably already purchased your gundog a quality collar, but here's one that serves and additional purpose—it keeps your pal visible in the dark. The Nite Ize Nite Dawg LED Light-Up Dog Collar is made of high quality nylon and is a durable collar that houses a flexible, light-transmitting polymer core that illuminates when activated.