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English-Russian Hounds Puppies: Characteristics, Care, and Training Tips
The English-Russian Hound, a breed celebrated for its keen hunting instincts and loyalty, is a fantastic companion for both novice and seasoned hunters. This article explores the characteristics of these puppies, how to care for them, and effective training exercises to instill their natural hunting capabilities.
Characteristics of English-Russian Hounds
Physical Traits
English-Russian Hound puppies typically exhibit a strong, athletic build, with long legs and a graceful neck. Their coat is usually dense and can come in various colors, including tan with white markings or a mix of brown and cream. They have large, expressive eyes that reflect their intelligent and alert nature.
Temperament
These puppies are known for their friendly disposition and adaptability. They are social dogs and thrive on human interaction, making them excellent companions for families and individuals alike. However, their hunting background means they can sometimes exhibit a stubborn streak, requiring consistent training and patience from their owners.
Energy Levels
Highly energetic, English-Russian Hounds need plenty of exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being. They enjoy long walks, playtime, and exercises that stimulate their hunting instincts. Lack of activity can lead to boredom and behavioral issues, so regular physical engagement is critical.
How to Care for English-Russian Hound Puppies
Diet
Proper nutrition is crucial for the growth and development of English-Russian Hounds. A high-quality puppy food that is rich in protein helps support their active lifestyle. Consult your veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations based on your puppy’s age, weight, and health needs.
Grooming
These puppies generally have low to moderate grooming needs. Regular brushing will help keep their coat healthy and minimize shedding. Pay attention to their ears, as they can be prone to infections. Regular cleaning and checking for parasites are important.
Health Care
Routine veterinary check-ups are essential to monitor your puppy's health. Vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, and regular dental care should be part of their health regimen.
Introducing Your Puppy to Hunting
Early Exposure
To prepare your English-Russian Hound puppy for hunting, it’s essential to introduce them to the outdoors at a young age. Take them on walks in open areas, allowing them to explore various scents and sights. This exposure helps develop their natural instincts and curiosity about the world around them.
Socialization
Encouraging your puppy to socialize with other dogs, particularly those with hunting backgrounds, can be beneficial. Playdates and group activities will not only enhance their social skills but also teach them how to cooperate with other dogs during hunts.
Basic Commands
Before you begin specific hunting training, ensure that your puppy is well-versed in basic commands such as 'sit', 'stay', and 'come'. These commands are vital for keeping them safe in the field and ensuring control during hunting scenarios.
Exercises for Training Your Hound
Scent Work
One of the most enjoyable exercises for English-Russian Hound puppies is scent work. Hide treats or toys around your yard or home and encourage your puppy to find them using their nose. This exercise taps into their natural hunting abilities and sharpens their olfactory skills. Start with easy-to-find items and gradually increase the difficulty as they improve.
Fetch
Playing fetch is an excellent way to instill a strong retrieval instinct in your puppy. Use a favorite toy or a ball and toss it a short distance. Encourage your dog to bring it back to you. This exercise builds their stamina and reinforces the bond between you and your puppy.
Obstacle Courses
Setting up a simple obstacle course in your backyard can help improve your puppy’s agility and confidence. Use cones, tunnels, and jumps to create a stimulating environment. Guide them through the course with treats, gradually increasing the complexity as they become more adept.
Leash Training
A well-trained hound should walk nicely on a leash, making outings more pleasant. Begin leash training in a quiet area and gradually introduce distractions. Reward your puppy for walking calmly beside you, reinforcing good behavior.
Conclusion
English-Russian Hound puppies are remarkable companions with natural hunting skills waiting to be honed. By understanding their characteristics, providing proper care, and engaging in effective training exercises, you can ensure that your puppy grows into a well-mannered and skilled hunting partner. With patience and dedication, your hound will not only thrive in a home environment but also shine in the field. Embrace the journey, and you’ll create a lasting bond with your four-legged friend.
PREDATOR HUNTING—HOW TO GET STARTED THE EASY WAY
CLASSIC COYOTE SETUPS
There are three basic types of coyote hunts:
A silent stand in which you post up and hope to shoot coyotes passing by.
A calling stand in which you hunker down and call coyotes into gun range;
What I call a “run-and-gun hunt” in which you drive rural roads and stop periodically to call, then set up when you get a response.
1. SILENT STANDS
Looking at the silent stand, your standard deer-season treestand or ground blind can work beautifully, especially if it is situated between deer feeding and bedding areas. Those are the same habitats that coyotes work, so as long as the wind is favorable—that is, blowing away from where you expect to see coyotes—then you should expect a shot.
This silent-stand hunting is not a numbers game. You are relying on a dog to simply show itself, and if you shoot, or do anything to alert animals that you’re in the area, then you might be in for a long, slow day. But you can make good use of your time by observing deer, seeing how their forage patterns have changed since November’s buck seasons, and looking for antler sheds.
You can also blow a predator call periodically to lure coyotes and foxes into range. We’ll cover calls below, but know this about coyote behavior, no matter the stand type: They will almost always circle around your calling location, trying to smell you before they come into view. So, keep a close eye on your downwind side, and try to see and kill a coyote before it sniffs you, or you’ll never see the coyotes that were in your area.
2. CALLING STANDS
This is the most common way to attract coyotes. You walk into an area with abundant sign, sit down, blow a call, and shoot a dog. Of course, it’s never that simple, but the idea is to remain undetected and sound so realistic that a curious or hungry coyote or fox will shed its inhibitions and come to you.
Wind and terrain features are the big factors here. You want to enter the area stealthily, using a ridgeline or a gully or timber to hide your approach. Stay as high in the terrain as you can, to maintain visibility over a wide area, and use both good camouflage—including face masks—and shade to melt into the cover. This is a good game for a partner, one of you running the call and the other set up to shoot.
Use either an electronic or a hand call. The advantage to an electronic call, sometimes called an “e-caller,” is that it can mimic the sound of dozens of prey species, ranging from housecats to crows, and because most have remote-control capabilities, you can set the speaker many yards away from your location, misdirecting the laser focus of an incoming coyote. Hand calls can sound more realistic, and you can control the volume and cadence better than you can with an e-caller.
The universal coyote call is a rabbit being tortured. It might be a cottontail or a jackrabbit, but the death wail is the same – a high-pitched scream punctuated by growls and squeaks. Other effective coyote calls mimic deer in pain, mice squeaking, birds squawking, and coyotes howling to either challenge or court another coyote.
Most calling hunters plan to sit at each stand for no longer than 30 minutes. They typically call softly to start, to lure in nearby coyotes, and then escalate the volume and intensity of the calls for several minutes, pausing for a half-minute between to scan for incoming coyotes that might be coming from farther away.
3. RUN-AND-GUN
This type of hunting requires abundant access to good habitat and a road system to get you around. Park in a place where your vehicle isn’t noticeable – in a dip or in cover – and blow your call. If you hear or see a coyote respond, set up to shoot. If you don’t drive on and repeat until you hit a receptive coyote.
