Outfitting human hunters is only part of the equation outdoor retailers should consider. Almost as important is catering to their canine counterparts. After all, hunters love to spoil their bird dogs just as much or more than other pet owners. It’s not just about rewarding Fido for a great retrieve or point, either. Many of these items will help train hounds to be better hunters or keep them safe while they’re on the job. The end result is happier hunters of both the two- and four-legged variety.
A good kennel that keeps pooch confined, comfortable and safe is essential when traveling with a dog. RuffLand Kennels do all of that. These lightweight crates feature one-piece roto-molded construction that’s strong but has enough flex for protection in an accident. Features include two-way doors, generously vented sides, and dual grab handles. Best of all, they’re stackable for storage so they won’t take up excessive garage space when not in use.
There are seven sizes: X-Large, Large, Intermediate, Backseat Rider, Medium, Mid-Size, and Small. The Large, Intermediate, and Backseat Rider (which is just slightly shorter than the Intermediate to better fit inside vehicles) will probably be the best models for most hunting breeds. Depending on kennel size, options include dual doors, front and back or front and side, as well as SUV slant back to fit inside SUVs. Several different colors are available. I have a pair of Intermediates in Millstone, the most popular color, that fit perfectly side-by-side in the back of my Jeep, allowing both of my dogs to join me on hunts and trips. MSRP ranges from $207.99 to $474.99 depending on size.
RuffLand also offers numerous kennel accessories. My favorite is the Easy Rider Top Tray that fits on top of the kennel and provides a place to hold shotgun shells, bagged birds, leashes, e-collars, and other assorted gear. MSRP is $35.99 to $38.99 depending on size. www.rufflandkennels.com
Used properly, an e-collar is a dog handler’s best friend. Look past the negative connotations and consider the safety element that an e-collar provides for correcting unwanted or dangerous behavior remotely. In my experience, Garmin makes the best e-collars out there. The most popular models include the PRO 550 and Sport PRO.
The PRO 550 has a range of up to one mile, the ability to train up to three dogs at a time (with the purchase of additional collars), 21 levels of continuous and momentary stimulation, plus tone and vibration settings, a built-in BarkLimiter, and a beacon light. I have an older Garmin model that is very similar to the PRO 550, and it’s my general purpose, workhorse e-collar. MSRP is $399.99.
Hunters who have a runner, like my Komet, may want to upgrade to the PRO 550 Plus. It has 18 stimulation levels, over two mile range, and — most importantly — GPS tracking that is displayed on the handheld. I bought this collar after Komet pulled one too many disappearing acts, and it’s been around his neck every time we hunt ever since. MSRP is $749.98. The peace of mind it provides is invaluable.
The Sport PRO is a no-nonsense, easy-to-operate collar that can train up to three dogs. It has 10 stimulation levels, BarkLimiter, tone, and beacon. Best of all, the handheld is compact, so it fits easily in a vest or coat pocket. Range is about ¾-mile. MSRP is $249.99. www.garmin.com
YETI coolers are all the rage, but this company also offers a pair of nearly indestructible dog dishes. The folks at YETI say the Boomer 8 Dog Bowl is a great size for most dogs. This stainless steel bowl is puncture- and rust-resistant and dishwasher safe, and it will hold up to eight cups of dog food or water, while the non-slip BearFoot ring keeps the bowl from sliding around. There’s also a smaller four-cup Boomer 4. Both come in a variety of colors. MSRP is $50 Boomer 8, $40 Boomer 4. www.yeti.com
Besides making some of the world’s finest firearms, Browning also offers gear for dogs. These include Vinyl Training Dummies in both small (blaze or white, MSRP $10.99) and large (black/white, MSRP $14.99) sizes, and Canvas Training Dummies in small (black/white, MSRP $7.99) and large (blaze, MSRP $9.99), all of which prominently display Browning’s popular Buckmark logo. Blaze Safety (MSRP $24.99), Full Coverage Safety (MSRP $34.99), and Chest Protection (MSRP $24.99) vests offer varying degrees of protection and visibility, while camo Neoprene (MSRP $44.99) waterfowling vests in Realtree or Mossy Oak provide concealment and warmth. Browning’s Classic Webbing Dog Collars come in a variety of colors and camo patterns, in sizes small, medium, or large (MSRP $12.99-$14.99). There’s even a Duck Rope Toy (MSRP $16.99) for fun, informal training sessions. www.browning.com
Avery Sporting Dog (ASD), a division of Banded, offers a host of hunting dog gear. Topping the list are the EZ Bird bumpers, available in various bird species. The Green Winged Teal was the first bird bumper I bought my Phantom when she was a puppy, since it was small enough to fit in her mouth. Other options include Mallard, Pintail, Wood Duck, Wigeon, Mourning Dove, and Pheasant, as well as Mallard and Teal black/white flashers. MSRP is $19.99 to $29.99 depending on species.
ASD’s HexaBumper is a great all-around bumper. Its six flat sides and raised Vgrips make it easy for dogs to pick up and retrieve. The 2-inch size in orange, white, or black/white flasher is the most popular. MSRP is just $8.99. Stock plenty, because serious dog trainers will buy several. The PerfectHold HexaBumper is similar, but its larger dumbbell-shaped ends encourage dogs to grab it in the middle. Same colors are available. MSRP is $10.99.
The Boater’s Dog Park provides concealment and warmth, with grab handles for lifting retrievers into boats. It comes in several sizes and colors. ASD’s Kennel Coat surrounds crates to provide warmth, which is essential if crates ride in the back of an open pickup. Colors are Marsh Brown or camo. The collapsible Quick-Set Travel Kennel should be used for containing dogs inside vehicles or hotel rooms. Color is Marsh Brown. MSRP varies by size and color for these items. www.banded.com/collections/asd-brands
When it comes to canine training aids, none are more popular than Dokken DeadFowl Trainers. Each DeadFowl Trainer features a soft, durable body with lifelike weight, while hard feet and a hard, free-swinging head teach dogs to properly carry dead birds by the body.
Just about every game bird imaginable is represented, including dove, pheasant, quail, several grouse and partridge species, and nearly every duck species, as well as snow, blue, whitefront, and Canada goose. I own a bunch of DeadFowl Trainers and rotate them throughout the year based on the season or to keep my dogs from getting bored. Top sellers are the dove, pheasant, and mallard models, but you might also want to stock some larger goose trainers or other species depending on what’s popular locally. MSRP varies by species, but retail prices are around $30 for pheasant and mallard, $50 for goose, and $25 for the smaller birds. www.deadfowltrainer.com
If ticks are a serious problem in your area, consider stocking the ElimiTick Dog Vest. It features the same Insect Shield treatment as ElimiTick’s human clothing that bonds to the fabric and lasts through 70 washings. It repels ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes and other insects. Colors are blaze or tan. The blaze vest would be ideal for the thick ruffed grouse woods of the Northeast and Great Lakes states where Lyme disease is a real issue. Medium through 2X sizes are available. MSRP is $44.99. www.gamehide.com
Dog food is a category you’ll have to feel out — if your customers are used to buying it from local pet stores or feed stores, it might not be worth the shelf space. But if you decide to delve into it, I can tell you I’ve tried a lot of dog foods over the last 28 years of running bird dogs, but always return to Purina. Specifically, Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20, which is formulated with 30% protein and 20% fat to fuel canine athletes, and that’s exactly what hard-charging hunting dogs are. There are several varieties, including Beef & Bison and Salmon & Rice, but my dogs seem to prefer the Chicken & Rice formula, so that’s what I feed them most of the time. In the off-season, though, portions must be cut to avoid weight gain when feeding this high-calorie performance food. MSRP varies by variety and bag size, but Chicken & Rice commonly retails for around $70 for a 37.5 pound bag. www.purina.com
Must-Stock Products
Raising a high-energy bird dog can be a lot of work. If you’re at it long enough, though, you’ll eventually learn what works and what doesn’t. Here are some products that I’ve found make training and owning hunting dogs just a little bit easier.
Drake Waterfowl makes two of my favorite training aids. The small Stage 1 Retrieve-Rite Puppy Bumper easily fits in a young dog’s mouth, while the soft mid-section and hard end caps encourage a proper carry. All my pups start on this bumper. Available in white or black/white with green end caps. MSRP is $6.99. As pup grows, I switch to the Stage 2 Retrieve-Rite Force Fetch Bumper. While I don’t force-fetch my dogs, the soft body and extra-large, hard end caps help reinforce a proper retrieve. Available in brown with green end caps. MSRP is $14.99. www.drakewaterfowl.com
Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine may have been created for horses, but it works equally well on dogs and is even safe for use on humans. My vet suggested this product when I complained about having to constantly remove burrs from the fur of my long-haired dogs. It works. The Concentrate formula is available in 4-, 16-, and 32-ounce tubes. MSRP varies by size, but a 4-ounce tube, which should be more than enough to last a season, retails for around $15. www.cowboymagic.com
Sawyer Permethrin for Dogs is similar to Sawyer’s other Permethrin-based insect repellent treatments for human clothing. Simply spray on the dog starting at the tail, fluffing hair as you go so the treatment reaches the skin. Each application should provide about five weeks of tick and flea prevention. MSRP is $18.49 for a 24-ounce bottle. www.sawyer.com
Kent ProTrial Field Blanks are a much safer way to introduce puppies to gunfire than using live rounds. I’ve used them to successfully and safely introduce several pups to gunfire. They’re available in 12-gauge only, and shell length is just 2½-inches long, which is why I prefer to fire these blanks out of a single-shot or double-barrel shotgun, since they may jam an autoloader. A couple shots per training session are usually all that’s needed anyhow. MSRP is $22.95 per box of 25. www.kentcartridge.com
