August 26 is National Dog Day.
Here are a few photos from the WC/WCX Trials in October of 2025.
The weather started out kinda iffy then quickly turned quite ugly.
Cool and overcast turned to dark/cloudy skies, off and on rain, (sometimes fairly heavy) and at times VERY windy.
The dogs didn't really care. The humans, on the other hand, were not so thrilled.
I'm not sure where these belong so they are cross posted in the "People" and "Nature & Wildlife" boards.
Three, six, and seven are my favorites ....for obvious reasons, Larry. Are those trials annual? Where are they held?
Oh, and ever' day is National Dog Day, at my house!
Douglas
I love these. Anyone who has witnessed the training these dogs go through and seen what they do has a great appreciation for these working dogs regardless of your thoughts on bird hunting. Lovely work.
My worthless opinion; I visit this forum in hopes that I'm sharing with like-minded individuals. People who have respect and compassion for wildlife. A bit of respite from all the other social media trash. To open this post was very disappointing for me. I don't come here to view mangled wildlife. If this is what brings you pleasure, that's your business. But I wish people wouldn't post this type of garbage on the N&W forum.
Time for another break.
Gary
So where should it be placed? I’m always confused about dogs in the people section. Maybe there should be a pets section. Or in this case, hunting or sporting section.
I’m not going to get into a political discussion but hunting is a way of life and has been since we’ve existed. Using animals like dogs to help in that has almost as long.
The dogs don’t mangle the bird. You shoot it. They get it and bring it back as they found it. It’s the reason some of the breeds were created.
Most of the time the birds are eaten by the dogs owner. They aren’t just left as carcasses on the ground. If they are then those hunters should be reported.
I’m not even a hunter but I refuse to let us suddenly think we’re better than hunting. We aren’t. Hunters are hugely responsible for conservation and care about animals and land and keeping it pristine as much and often more than anyone.
'I’m not even a hunter but I refuse to let us suddenly think we’re better than hunting. We aren’t. Hunters are hugely responsible for conservation and care about animals and land and keeping it pristine as much and often more than anyone.'
(quoted from above post)
I am not seeing where anyone anywhere in this post said anything derogatory about 'hunters'.?
Look at it this way, you open up Nature and Wildlife to see the beauty of both, you don't go to People and Portraits to see dead lifeless people or see them in the morgue.
I'm pretty sure Larry met no ill intent, the dogs were the trophy of his captures.
Not thinking someone who isn't a hunter should be lecturing us on hunters ...........
Larry, the dogs are priceless and they are always proud of the retrieve
Unfortunately the ducks paint a somewhat different emotional story for most.
Dogs doing what they were born and bred to do since before grocery stores came along to spare us from reality. Photography is a simple act of capturing a moment in time and it's not always something everyone will like, but that's life. Nice captures of some very athletic and capable K9's Larry.
Larry these are excellent compositions!
Dogs ARE "4 legged" people to me and I don't see why there would be an issue posting an "animal" of any species in the "People" Forum. These are "sport dogs"...Sport Forum?
I grew up in Iowa. Pheasant hunting was a huge deal.
When we moved to Mary-land, deer and water fowl(ducks) were "the" target.
I never gained an appeal for hunting but I sure didn't object to those who did.
Hunting is classified as a sport!
So is MMA, Free form boxing, wrestling, many other "sports" that I consider violent are flourishing very well.
Service animals are to be commended for ALL the work they do. They love it and when they are having issues with conditioning, they are darn good at letting their "hu-mans" know.
Case in point maybe.. Pit bulls...I never liked them because they were always used for protection, fighting or some other "violent" sport. And all that I had "met" were aggressive UNTIL a few years ago when walking the streets doing photography and it was a nice warm early Spring day and people were enjoying the weather on the outdoor tables.
I approached 1 table and they had a pit bull resting by them.
She was the sweetest pup ever!
Humans have given pit bulls a bad rap. Dog fighting is considered a sport! A deadly and most disgusting sport to me.
My neighbors call me the "Dogfather". Even gave me a t-shirt with that logo in block type like the "Godfather".
I became a "dogfather" very late in life thanks to Suzanne.
I love them more than most human creatures! Weird? Not to me and I don't care if others object to my appreciating our 4 legged "people".
Many members here are "dogfathers and dogmothers". I don't know if they are hunters also but don't really care. The treatment of their "4 legged child" is ALL I care about.
I am not seeing any comments made about the bears and their meals. But I sure love seeing these massive beasts grabbing a bite to eat!
Or the eagles and their dinner.......not trying to start any confrontation...just sayin'.....
Photography should not isolate photographer's into "categories" , imho, that have a negative connotation to our endeavors. If an image looks to be a point-n-shoot variety..ok by me...
It should really not make a difference if the "end result" of a photo isn't museum quality.
While ALL OF US want to have that "perfect image in EVERY image....
It should be about the enjoyment of photography.
FM has some of "thee" best photographers I have ever viewed regardless of perceived "quality" of the image/composition.
I attend many "shows". Many members here excel way beyond what I see being displayed at an exhibition.
Just my $.02!
Now let's get back to "shooting" with a camera or other device(smartphone).
Again love seeing these creatures so happy to please their "parents".
When God had Noah prepare The Ark, He did not have a "priority" list to get aboard.
Dan
This is a rhetorical post. We all should not let Larry's post turn ugly
.. Pit bulls...I never liked them because they were always used for protection, fighting or some other "violent" sport. And all that I had "met" were aggressive UNTIL a few years ago when walking the streets doing photography and it was a nice warm early Spring day and people were enjoying the weather on the outdoor tables.