One thing is for sure: Wachtel dogs are not for weekend hunters. They only show their full potential when they have the famous four W's, and that almost daily: forest, water, meadows, and game. The Wachtel dogs from head forester Zecha have always had plenty of these four W's. Both before and after the shot, the "forest worker Wachtel" performs excellently, as well as during searching and bush beating. Additionally, he is extremely eager to retrieve and will bring back everything from rabbits to hares to foxes. On the blood trail, he is a go-getter, combining his boldness with endurance, a strong desire to hunt, and a remarkable understanding of hunting. Such a variety of character certainly demands a skilled handler. The Wachtel also ruthlessly exploits the mistakes of his master. However, those who have read the book "Wachtel Dogs - My Friends" by head forester Ernst Zecha attentively will not be taken advantage of by their Wachtel. The author has raised Wachtel dogs throughout his hunting life and knows their nature inside and out. In his book, he discusses the abilities and characteristics of these dogs as well as training, tests, breed history, and the appearance of the dogs. He even compiles a detailed annual training program for search dogs. This thematic arc is rounded off with numerous reports from practical field experience. Particularly the chapter "Special Tracking," which documents the difficult and most challenging tracking experiences from a lifetime of professional hunting and forestry, will surely interest not only Wachtel enthusiasts but every dog handler.