Anyone else out there have a trusty dog by their side for hunting?

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This is Chavo. 13 summers old. A rez dog from New Mexico. He found me on a long dirt road in the mountains and took me home. He's slept in the bend of my leg every night since.

He's tangled with bears, deer, antelope, javelina, skunks, rattlesnakes, porcupines and a list of rodents as long as your leg. He's taken over 250 stitches and given about 150. Chavo has a few notches in his pistol.

He is spending his retirement sidekicking on a trout boat and training his protégé and successor, Trigger.

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Chavo sounds like an absolute legend! He’s certainly lived a life full of adventure, hasn't he? Bears, rattlesnakes, and 250 stitches? Blimey, I reckon that makes him tougher than most! Enjoy those well-earned retirement days on the trout boat, Chavo. And Trigger’s got some big paws to fill, but it sounds like he’s got the perfect mentor. Cheers for sharing, mate—gave me a proper smile!
 
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Several years ago I took my Westie squirrel hunting. That dog (Casper) spent the entire time with his nose UNDER the leaves sniffing very loudly. Nope, not squirrel hunting buddy material for this stealth fanatic.

I fear the same result if I took Ollie with me. (Norwich Terrier).

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My JRT jumps at the ready when she hears my AG come out. She’s the finisher for any rodent invaders. She also does an excellent job locating the rodents that scurry into long grass.

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What a dog!

Those rascals are ferocious ratters! I have seen a couple at work in a corn bin. I have deep respect for those dogs.

I would wager a guy with a Jack Russell and a shovel could kill more rats in a day than any airgunner on this forum. I bet it would be more fun to watch too.
 
Several years ago I took my Westie squirrel hunting. That dog (Casper) spent the entire time with his nose UNDER the leaves sniffing very loudly. Nope, not squirrel hunting buddy material for this stealth fanatic.

I fear the same result if I took Ollie with me. (Norwich Terrier).

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Casper sounds like he was more keen on a leaf exploration than actual hunting lol. I can imagine Ollie might follow suit—those terriers are bundles of mischief. If you have the patience for it, and he's still young, a lot of training could help turn him into a stealthy sidekick?
 
I do a lot more pesting than hunting but my little hound from the pound loves to watch the oak trees for squirrels. When she sees one she starts barking and jumping on me to get out a gun and shoot it for her. If I drop one that has a little life left in it she will grab it and shake it until it's dead. I think she likes it better than going for a walk. She loves to sniff but her nose must be pretty poor. If she does not see the squirrel drop I have to find it for her. But she definitely knows what they look like.