VC Bou

     Of the two dogs in this breeding Bou is the most independent in nature, works to the bird or otherwise medium close and his prey drive is expressed in a more flamboyant way, namely in 'baying' . Baying takes place when he establishes scent, starts to track and begins to bay, a vocalization that sounds like something between a howl and a bark, it invariably always takes place when the hunter is out of sight.  Though once it did take place when he was holding three grouse under some evergreens as I approached and he continued to bay until I was visible,  more so he wanted me and my gun to arrive on time to shoot, though I only pruned the branches on the first one, but did manage to bring one to the table.  Bou bays all furred game with a chase or a slow stalk in heavy cover unless the gun is at hand, in which case he holds on command, or points.  

     Bou has a working tail, which is to say it is active as he establishes ground scent and more so as it gets hotter.   With the arrival of body scent Bou will either point (and the tail will be still) or work the bird closer should the opportunity present itself.  It is not uncommon for Bou to point a running grouse three or four times, as he will wait each time until I arrive to flush, depending on the cover and the advantage the bird may have in its favor I can send Bou to work further, but if he doesn't move then I know its my turn, for the grouse is far too near and a flush I must.