What Is A Gundog To Me

Written By: Zach Miller

"It is a look that gives me chills even as I write this. It is a look that says, “I understand now”, all of what was done in the past 2 years was for this moment right here. There have been many times I have been asked what is a gundog to me, it's the look."

        As an avid hunter and lover of all things outdoors, there is nothing quite like the bond between a hunter and their gundog. These loyal companions are more than just pets or hunting tools, they are an integral part of the hunting experience and a true testament to the power of the human-animal connection.

I’ve often been asked what a gundog means to me as a veteran, professional gundog trainer and an avid duck hunter. This question tends to stump me on every occasion. To me, a gundog represents the ultimate combination of intelligence, athleticism, and loyalty. These dogs are bred and trained to be the perfect hunting partners, able to navigate through the water and retrieve game with ease. However, it's not just their physical abilities that make them so special - it's their unwavering devotion to their owners that truly sets them apart.

When I'm out in the field with my duck dog, I know that I can rely on them to be by my side no matter what. The excitement that fills their eyes is the same that can be found within mine. They are always eager to please and willing to do whatever it takes to help me succeed in my hunt. Whether it's retrieving a downed bird or simply providing companionship on a long day in the blind, my duck dog is always there for me. The key to this equation is this, it’s never been about the birds.

In a hunt, it's not just about what my duck dog can do for me - it's also about what I can do for them. As their owner and handler, it's my responsibility to provide them with the love, care, and training they need to be successful in the field. This means spending countless hours working on obedience, retrieving drills, and other training exercises to ensure that they are always at the top of their game. We do this for our dogs because when it all comes together - when my duck dog and I are working together seamlessly to bring in a limit of birds - there is no feeling quite like it. It's a true testament to the power of the human-animal bond and a reminder of just how special these animals truly are.

I often reminisce on the moments when a gundog who is on their first ever hunt, the “lightbulb moment” as I call it. When the birds coming whistling into the decoy spread and the dog gives you the look that makes all of it worth it. All of the pain, sorrow, blood sweat and tears, it all is made whole again by that one single look. It is a look that gives me chills even as I write this. It is a look that says, “I understand now”, all of what was done in the past 2 years was for this moment right here. There have been many times I have been asked what is a gundog to me, it's the look.