Our Dogs

Our staff utilizes a variety of breeds in escorting hunts at the ranch. Most of the traditional pointing breeds are represented including Brittanies, French Brittanies, English Setters & Pointers, Shorthairs, Wirehairs, and Viszlas.

Which breed is best? Depends on what you want and with the understanding that the textbook answer is "there is usually more variation within a breed than there is between breeds."

The dogs we use here at the ranch are not necessarily from exotic or expensive lineage, but they become very good due to rapid accumulation of experience with their seasoned kennel mates.

Your Dogs
Your dogs are welcome at the ranch with your cooperation on some issues that cause many operations to resist allowing guest dogs. Keith and Debra believe that anyone that takes the effort and expense of keeping a dog should be able to take them along on a good hunt.

Anytime we mix dogs & people we require current vaccinations for rabies, kennel cough and distemper/parvo.

We expect that guest dogs would be trained and under control of the handler. Dogs must be on leash while in ranch headquarters yard. Owners should be prepared have their dogs utilize our kennel's 2-way dog doors.

We occasionally have guests that are hunting pheasant with their quail or field trial dogs for the first time. You will be disappointed with dogs that cannot be kept within 30 yards (shotgun range) as it is not the nature of a pheasant to hold a point for an extended duration. Wide running dogs will effectually purge the area of pheasant and insure that you will seldom get an opportunity to shoot.

Kennel Facilities

We have a safe and environmentally controlled kennel space for guest dogs. Please notify us of your intentions to bring a dog on the reservation process so we may make the appropriate considerations.

Looking for a bird dog?
Our staff occasionally will have a litter of puppies from our stock that we have identified as being exceptional. Genetic predisposition is the key factor in K-9 potential and there are very few places like Ringneck where we get to develop, observe, and evaluate genetic potential. If you have a breed of interest we will connect you with the guides that work with that particular breed.

Dog Training?
We offer a unique opportunity for dog owners in the month of September prior to beginning of our hunts. We make our CSA available for owner/dog training under a minimal service situation. We provide accommodations and training birds for use in a manageable habitat to optimally use very productive controlled situations.

Our guide staff have also taken in guest dogs for the purpose of intense exposure to hunting situations. We have several very satisfied dog owners that you may consult with about their experience of having a very experienced young dog for the opening of hunting season. The dog owner must realize and be willing to accept that daily hunting at Ringneck Ranch have some risks attached. Staff members that have agreed to consider taking on training projects are:

Don Montgomery - 785-373-4965

Joe Heskett - 785-373-6572

Terry Fiala -785-781-4921