Best Quail Dogs

Sign up for the Outdoor Life Newsletter Get the hottest outdoor news—plus a free month of onX Hunt Elite.The Midnight TroubadourTough and timeless, this polo is built for the long ride. Featuring a crisp, non-collapsing collar and a rugged, stretchy fabric, it's the perfect shirt for any cowboy's wardrobe.🤠 Shop Now - The Midnight TroubadourKnown as the gentleman's game bird for the Southern hunts that take place in locations like Georgia, quail, in reality, can be downright nasty to hunt in the South or anywhere else for that matter. They're small birds that flush in large coveys, often flustering the hunter, and only offer a clean shot for a moment. Found throughout the country, from thick pine forests to sun-baked deserts and everywhere in between, the various species of quail require a special dog to hunt 'em up–and the best dog for the job is often dependent upon where and when you're going to pursue these delectable birds. To find out more about quail dogs, we asked the folks at Quail Forever, as well as one of the best bird-dog trainers in the country, Ronnie Smith of Big Cabin, Okla., what they considered some of the best breeds and the pros and cons of each. English Pointer Perhaps the epitome of a quail dog, the lean, well-muscled pointer is a tireless worker with great range. "More than any other breed, pointers have the focus and high prey drive that makes them perfect for hunting quail," says Smith, who guides hunters in South Texas where everything sticks, pricks or bites hunter and dog alike. Smith cites the breed's short, slick coat as a huge benefit in hot climates and burr-filled areas. Dogs from big-running lines are useful when covering huge expanses of area, too.The biggest problem most folks have with pointers is that they use the wrong type of dog for a specific application. "People too often choose the wrong blood lines," says Smith. "They'll find a big-running pup from field champion lines and then try to use it for pheasant hunting–which a flushing breed is probably your best choice." To get the best pointer, choose pups from parents that participate in trials that require them to work within the range you're looking to hunt. Don't go for an all-age dog that trials with hunters on horseback and expect it to work well in the thick cover of an overgrown pine forest.Brittany Spaniel Small and fast with good prey drive, Britts are great for the hunter working smaller patches of ground and for those wanting a house dog for the family when it's not hunting season. "Brittany spaniels have really neat personalities and can make a great family dog," says Smith, whose family has bred champion Britts for years. "They're smaller dogs, which means they cost less to feed and take up less space, which can be a big deal for guys living in cities or suburbs." https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2009/09/best-quail-dogs/

Best Quail Dogs

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