I have had a Setter and a couple of French Brittanys that will block a running bird.

It starts out with them ground trailing a pheasant or bob down a game path through the grass and brush. I can't see the bird, but I recognize what is happening by watching the dog. The bird and dog are running faster than I can walk. Suddenly the dog will veer off to the right 100 yards, turn left for 100 yards, and then turn left again and set up in the trail, facing me, with the wind blowing from his tail to his nose. I continue up the trail and then the bird flushes, usually withing 20 yards of the blocking dog.

How did that dog know how to do that?


I am glad to be here.