Coullah and Zoë are hunting dogs.
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| Birdwatching |
Both have their favourite prey:
Coullah
Birds.
Squirrels.
Coullah has caught two birds. Was I pleased? No!! But, how can I get angry at her? It's in her genes. She's a hunting dog!!! She killed neither, but I think the poor things were so terrified they both died of shock - despite my efforts. During the last incident, once I realized what had occured, I quickly called her to me, she came immediately, but not before she pick up the bird softly in her mouth and on her way to the house, dropped it right at my feet!! In regard to squirrels, she hasn't gotten close to one, but when viewed through our bay window, she is absolutely mesmerized by them.
With the birds, Coullah displays great skill in tracking. She is quick to follow direction, watches and learns very quickly. We are seriously considering putting her into tracking.
Zoë
Bees.
Flies.
Birds.
Rabbits.
Skunks.
Zoë has eclectic hunting interests. I have to admit that her favourite prey are bees - preferably Bumblebees! She runs out our side door, pauses and points towards the honeysuckle bush. Then does a slinky dash towards the bush looking for bees.
We're thinking that Zoë might have been dropped on her head at birth because she looks for bees 365 days per year - even on the bleakest, frostiest January day! Of course we jest, she's a wonderful girl, but really.....hmmmm... there is further evidence of droppage on head:
Tonight, we got a good laugh. Zoe was tracking a big fly. It landed on a pile of poop. Zoë stopped in her tracks and pointed at the fly - lifing not a front food, but her back right!!!!! Haha!!!
When Zoë has located a small bird, she approaches very slowly and goes right up to it - smiling and wagging her tail. Never touching it. Probably not that comforting for the poor little bird, but the only thing Zoë would hurt is a fly!!! We love our gentle Zoë!
Rabbits and skunks are on the list as well, but she's come close to catching neither. She usually sees the neighbourhood skunk on her early morning walk - but at a distance. Rabbits are more common, but rabbits aren't fools and she never gets too close to them either!!
We're considering taking Zoë for training as well as she's got an amazing nose, but first we have to stop her from pulling on leash!!!
Despite their differences, our two girls have some similar interests, including relaxing whenever they aren't hunting or wrestling.....
