Basic H.P.R. Training

Hunt point retrieve (HPR) training involves raising certain breeds of dogs, such as the German shorthaired pointer, to maximize their effectiveness during the hunt. HPR dogs are commonly bred from the spaniel, the English pointer and the retriever breeds.

  1. Breeds

    • Ideal breeds for HPR training include the large Munsterlander, the Hungarian vizsla and the weimaraner, although the Italian spinone and the Brittany spaniels are gaining in popularity (as of November, 2010) for hunting purposes.

    Instruction

    • Instruction must start at the puppy stage for an HPR dog to receive ideal training. The underlying principles of training include maintaining consistency in the dog's treatment and commanding, not allowing the animal to get into a routine during her training and correcting her properly when she deviates from a command. The ultimate goal of HPR training is to maximize the dog's potential in what she was bred to do -- hunt game, point to it, hold the point until commanded otherwise then flush it out.

    Cost

    • Training costs vary between training providers and program comprehensiveness. As of November 2010, the cost of HPR training ranged between $39.34 for an instructional DVD to $189 for a two-day course conducted on hunting grounds.