Flemish Sweatdog Group

The Vlaamse Zweethonden Groep was created on the initiative of motivated hunters who recognized the necessity of tracking big game in Flanders.

Knowledge based:

• on the knowledge of morphology and physiology of the species to be detected.
• on a perfect rapport between forager and a dog specifically trained for that purpose and in compliance with the ethical requirements of the modern hunting spirit.

The main purpose of the association is to put specialized teams of hunter-dogs at the disposal of all who, wherever they may be, wish to have their dogs searched.

There will always be a search for a hunter closest to the event site. Every call will always receive a positive response. There is no territorial restriction.

During the hunting period (winter) there is the possibility that a forager of the Flemish Hunting Dog Group is available during a drive hunt. Information about this can be obtained from the board or by personal contact through the members.

Central call number 0495 22 49 27

If we want to bear the name of hunter worthily, we are obliged to check the result of a shot,regardless of whether the game was wounded or missed.

Tracking

Not always is a big game hit such that the shot piece falls down on the spot. Usually the shot is not placed well enough or the animal still flees, purely on adrenaline and survival instinct. Tracking is then necessary.

Most important after the shot, is to keep an eye on the piece of game and watch for the Scots marks. See below for a complete overview.

Also, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes to let the piece go quietly into its wound bed or death bed.

At the site of the shear you can look for scum, but by all means mark the site and escape route.

You can do an initial search yourself but pay attention to the instructions below (if a sweat dog is called later) and be careful, Deer and Wild Boar are quite daring to charge in extreme distress.

• Observe the reaction of the game
• Mark the location of the aanschot (toilet paper is optimal here – convenient to carry and it decays after a while)
• Search for dish marks
• Look for clues in the direction of escape
• Indicate the direction of escape
• Stay calm and avoid other dogs on the trail
• Follow the trail no further than 50 meters
• Walk beside the track, NOT ON it

If you cannot immediately locate the shot piece, call on a Hog Dog. The name Hog Dog comes from following the blood trail of the stricken animal. Where in hunting terms blood is also called sweat. In Flanders, keepers and trackers of these particular sweat dogs are united in a separate Flemish Sweat Dogs Group.

Since these dogs are kept available for post-search and this post-search can take place during week or week-end good and bad weather they deserve our special attention and respect.

Central phone number Flanders: VZG – 0495 22 49 27
Central phone number Wallonia: ABUCS – 061 25 51 92

The table below can also be downloaded in pdf and printed (handy for the hunting cabin).