Equipment for Hunting Dogs - The ultimate guide to the perfect gear

Biothane collars for hunting dogs

In recent years, Biothane has established itself as a modern alternative to leather and is the first choice for many hunting dog handlers, especially for water work and bad weather.

Advantages of Biothane:

• Waterproof and odor-neutral – does not absorb moisture
• Extremely easy to care for – simply wipe clean
• Dries in seconds
• Very durable and tear-resistant
• Wide range of colors for better visibility
• Remains flexible even in the cold
• No leather grease care necessary

Areas of application: Ideal for water dogs such as retrievers, in rainy weather, in muddy terrain, and for dogs that swim frequently. Particularly popular with Spaniel and German Quail Dog handlers who often work in wet areas.

Quality differences: High-quality Biothane is soft, flexible, and comfortable to wear. Inferior quality can be stiff and chafe. Look for a material thickness of at least 2-3mm and clean edge finishing.

At SPRENGER, we rely on original BioThane® from the USA and sewn instead of riveted connections for greater strength.

Slip collars (retriever collars) for hunting dogs

Slip collars, also known as retriever collars or martingale collars, are indispensable in gundog training. They allow for precise corrections without choking the dog.

How they work: The collar consists of a fixed and a movable part – at SPRENGER, we call this smaller movable loop an assembly chain. When pulled, the collar tightens until the fixed part acts as a stopper. This way, the dog cannot slip out of the collar, but is not choked. As soon as the tension is released, the collar immediately loosens again.

Advantages:

• Reliably prevents slipping out
• Immediate correction with immediate release
• Ideal for retrieve training
• No choking effect with correct adjustment
• Quick on and off without buckles

Materials:

Slip collars are available in various materials, and the construction may vary depending on the material. The material should be chosen to suit the activity, environment, and needs of the dog.

Metal chains (stainless steel, CUROGAN):

• Very robust and durable
• Easy to clean
• Rattles when walking (can serve as a locating aid)
• Gentle on fur with long links

BioThane with chain:

• Quieter than pure metal chains
• More comfortable on the skin
• Various colors available
• Slightly less robust than pure metal chains

Important notes for use:

• The collar must be adjusted so that when tightened, there is still a two-finger width of space
• Too tight = risk of choking, too loose = dog can slip out
• Regularly check the fit for growing dogs
• Models without a clasp must be slipped over the dog's head; here, correct size selection and whether the dog accepts it must be considered.

Many also know this type of dog collar as a martingale collar; we have also introduced the martingale collar in a separate blog post!

Wide padded collars for hunting dogs

Wide padded collars are a particularly good choice for hunting dogs that are kept on a lead whilst out on a hunt, or that need to be stopped abruptly or pulled back whilst in the undergrowth. Thanks to the wider contact surface and the extra padding, more force is absorbed or distributed over a wider area, making it more comfortable for the dog.

Advantages:

• Distribute pressure over a larger area
• Particularly comfortable during long outings
• Padding prevents chafing and pressure marks
• Ideal for powerful dogs with a strong forward drive

Width:Padded collars are typically 30–50 mm wide. The width should be appropriate for the dog’s size:

• 30–35 mm for small to medium-sized dogs (German Shorthaired Pointer, Weimaraner)
• 35–40 mm for large dogs (Labrador, German Longhaired Pointer)
• 40–50 mm for very large, powerful dogs (Bloodhound, Irish Setter)

Areas of use:

• Tracking work with a long tracking lead
• Dogs that pull strongly on the lead
• Long training sessions
• Dogs with sensitive necks
• Older dogs with joint problems

At SPRENGER, we use high-quality, tightly woven nylon webbing for our wide collars, which feature all-round padding made from durable, soft softshell. This makes them gentle on long coats and ensures a high level of comfort, even for short-haired dogs. Our collars are available in widths of 35mm, 40mm or 45mm, depending on the collar size – perfect for a variety of dog breeds!

Reflective collars for hunting dogs

For safety at dusk, in the dark, and in poor visibility, reflective elements on the collar are indispensable. They significantly increase the dog's visibility and can save lives in an emergency.

Reflective elements:

The reflective effect can be firmly integrated into the collar, through woven-in reflective strips or sewn-on reflective piping, or can be retrofitted to non-reflective collars with attachable reflective patches.

Advantages:

• Passive safety without batteries
• Maintenance-free and durable
• Works in all weather conditions
• No additional costs
• Lightweight and inconspicuous

Our tip: Reflective elements in combination with signal colors. Collars that combine signal colors (e.g. orange, neon yellow) with reflective elements are particularly effective. This way, the dog is highly visible by color in daylight and by reflection in the dark.

LED collars as an alternative: For even better visibility at night, LED collars are a good option:

• Active illumination, independent of light sources
• Various modes (continuous light, flashing, pulsating)
• Visible from several hundred meters
• Different colors for multiple dogs
• Battery or rechargeable battery operated (runtime 20-100 hours)
• Attention: The disadvantage of LED collars is that the battery always needs to be charged, and it can fail at the wrong moment if forgotten.

Areas of application:

• Tracking at dusk
• Driven hunts in autumn and winter
• Training in the early morning or late evening hours
• Road traffic during transport to the hunting ground
• Additional safety for all types of hunting

Important: Reflective collars do not replace the required signal vest during group hunts but are a useful addition for extra safety.

Life jackets for hunting dogs

Even good swimmers can tire in cold water, strong currents, or after long retrieving tasks. Life jackets offer additional safety and buoyancy.

Advantages:

• Additional buoyancy when exhausted
• Better visibility in the water
• Handle on the back for lifting the dog
• Extension of working time in cold water

Selection criteria:

• Fit: The vest must fit snugly without chafing
• Buoyancy: Adapted to the dog's weight and build
• Freedom of movement: Front legs must be able to swim freely
• Rescue handle: Sturdy handle on the back
• Reflective elements: For visibility at dusk

Note: For dogs that regularly work in cold water, wetsuits are a worthwhile investment. They protect against hypothermia and allow for longer working hours.

Tracking leashes and harnesses for hunting dogs

The tracking leash is the most important piece of equipment for tracking wounded game. It allows the dog to follow the trail intently, while the handler maintains control.

Simply put, a tracking leash is a special lead, similar to a long line, traditionally without a hand loop.

Length: Traditionally 12 meters, or shorter in difficult terrain (8-10 m). The leash should be long enough to give the dog freedom to work, but short enough for quick control.

Material: Leather is the preferred material – it is grippy, even when wet, and feels good in the hand. High-quality tracking leashes are made from a single piece and have no seams that could tear. Today, leashes made of Biothane are also increasingly used, as they are easier to care for, do not absorb water or dirt, remain soft, and come in signal colors.

Width: 15-20 mm for small to medium-sized dogs, 20-25 mm for large, strong dogs.

Harness: A well-fitting chest harness distributes the pull evenly and protects the cervical spine. This is particularly important for long tracking sessions. Models with good shoulder freedom and padding are recommended to ensure freedom of movement and comfort. At SPRENGER, we rely on Y-harnesses for this purpose.

Characteristics of a good tracking harness:

• Wide, padded chest straps
• Adjustable at multiple points
• Robust D-rings for the tracking leash
• No chafing seams or edges
• Reflective elements for tracking at dusk

K9 Kennel Boss dog crates for hunting dogs

We at SPRENGER offer the K9 Kennel Boss aluminum dog crates.

The foldable dog crate K9 Kennel Boss was designed to transport your dog safely. Manufactured with industrial-grade hardware and a durable, powder-coated finish, it is robust, quick to clean, and helps prevent unwanted escapes. They have a snap lock for secure closing and can be supplemented with an attachment kit to anchor your crate particularly securely in the car.

Dummies and retrieving aids for hunting dog training

Retrieving training is fundamental for many hunting dog breeds and future deployments. Dummies simulate game and allow for realistic training without actual game. There are various dummy types that differ in color, weight, and appearance and are accordingly used in different stages of training.

Standard Dummies: Come in various materials and with different weights (250g - 1kg) and colors.

Weights and areas of use:

• 250-500g: For puppies and small dogs
• 500-750g: Standard for medium-sized dogs
• 750g-1kg: For large, strong retrievers

Colors: Orange for good visibility during training, Green/Khaki for advanced training (harder to find).

Special dummies include, for example:

Treat Dummies: With an opening for filling with treats, ideal for motivation training

Floating Dummies: Buoyant, often with a throwing loop, for water work

Duck Dummies: Dummies shaped like ducks, which help the dog get a feel for the game

Rabbit Dummies: Covered with fur, more realistic for advanced training

Bird Dummies: With feathers, simulate feathered game

Training Tips: Start with light, highly visible dummies and gradually increase weight and difficulty. Use different dummies to create variety. More about dummy training and what you should consider during training, can be found in our blog post.

Ultrasonic whistles vs. traditional whistles for hunting dogs

The different dog whistles come with their own advantages and disadvantages, and should be chosen accordingly based on preference and area of use.

Ultrasonic whistles:

• Advantages: Barely audible to humans, does not disturb other hunters, adjustable frequency
• Disadvantages: More difficult to control, you cannot hear if you are whistling
• Range: Up to 400 meters

Traditional whistles:

• Advantages: Clear, controllable sound, you can hear what you are whistling
• Disadvantages: Audible to everyone, can disturb others
• Range: Up to 1 km in good conditions

Trillerpfeifen (Trill/Pea whistles): For attention signals and emergencies, very penetrating sound.