EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Aladatrots post got me to thinking what makes a hard catching dog? Hard to pull off, hard to choke off, can't be choked off just wandering what y'all considered "hard" and what determines this many whippins from hogs, heart/prey drive or genetics

to me hard catching is a dog that has to be choked off or broke off with a break stick, whichever you prefer. I got curs that will catch but they can be broke off easy so I wouldn't call them hard catching.

personally i don't say they are a "hard catching" dog...i say they are a "hard HITTING" catch dog. which implies exactly that...they hit the hog very hard. if a dog is hard to break off, i say he is a stay put catch dog that you need a break stick for. that lets everyone know that when they hit they aren't coming off...just my .02

What I meant in my post about hard catching cur dogs was that the cur dog catches like a bulldog. Goes in to a bay with no hesitation, catches, and latches on with no baying involved.

Cheers
M

Clay,

I think the term "Hard" defines to me personally the level of intensity the dogs shows.  I personally prefer a dog that latches extremely hard, has to be broke off, and you can rest assured will not come off for anything.

When Zeus catches, he grips so hard that his eyes roll back in his head (looks pretty freaky) and I've even had him break blood vessels in his eyes.  He will not come off of a hog (dead or alive) until he is physically removed.  Some people prefer being able to call their dogs out or whatever.  His style is just what I've become accustomed to, and therefore what I like.

bryant, buddy my bulldog is the same way, i have to even choke him off a dead pig after ive killed it, i wouldnt have it any other way though, i know he wont let go.

So you guys are saying that a catch dog with a good handle that knows what "my hog" or "dead hog" means is not as valuable as a dog that has to be choked off?

We have one of each, and use and appreciate both for what they are. With Mandi's dog Tater, she can pat him on the head and say caught hog and he released. My dog Tyson is the type that must be choked off.  Tyson also happens to be a bit nuts for a few minutes after the hog is caught, while Tater will chill out and not continue to try to catch the hog.  Different personalities, but they both accomplish the same task.

When we say "HARD CATCH" it means a freight train is on the way to roll a pig an no missing.....

not at all, id love to have one with a good handle that i can also trust to hang on to the very end, i just i havent run into many of those "perfect" catch dogs though, do you have one you wanna sell? lol

Nope, not at all.  We each like what we like.

I have one that if its a 100 pounds or less it will remove ears , break legs , crush there skulls , he has the hardest bite youve ever seen , its kinda hard to believe until you see it , and he is definatly a freight train going to the bay , awesome on giant hogs , hell on smaller ones ,

the best description of hard i've ever read was on Ned Makim's blog, at least what i consider a hard dog.  i can't rip the passage off his thread but it's a good read.  basically, it's a dog that'll catch and take a beating (if need be) but you still know is going to be there when you need him/her.  i'm sure everyone has hunted behind a catchdog they just weren't real sure of and one they knew without a doubt "you had no worries".  to me that's the difference of hard catching dog.  i don't think hardness has anything to do with having to physically "break" a dog off but more of a training and personal preference like Bryant and others have already stated.  just my 2cents.

I will simply say, a hard catching "catch dog" is one that does not try to juke and jive on the way in.  There is no head bobbing, or side stepping to them.  They don't try to size the hog up on the way in.  They run directly to the hog, and enjoy the contact whether they make it for the hog or the hog makes it for them.  As far as "catch dog" terms in general, whether they need to be choked off or can be called off, they are not a true catch dog, unless they will be there for the duration no matter what beating the hog dishes out to them.  Once, the hog has been human handed (legged), and it is under control, I am ready for the catch dog to release, but not until that point.  If they are a true catch dog, I would have no problem running in chest high palmettos directly behind them.  However, if they're the type to try and regrip or not stick around for a clash with a good hog, they don't hunt around me.  Enough said.

Never really thought about it to much until now. dabutcher and me think alike on this one. "Hard Catching" to me is defined at the point of catching with "no worries" until the hog is legged. Maybe a dog that needs to be choked off or needs a break stick after the hog is legged is just a "Hard Breaker". ;D  ???

Hard catching = caught solid until I remove them.

Hard hitting = runs through the hog to catch it. It seems these dogs have broken teeth and I have seen and heard of some have broken their jaw because they hit so hard.


People definitely have multiple and varying descriptions, but I think it boils down to the above.


On a personal note. I love the ones that enjoy the physicality of the catch...the rougher the hog they more they like it ;)

I personally like a catch dog that is fairly quick, hits hard and runs a straight line to the bay.  In my opinion  a catch dog that doesn't have to be broken loose with a break stick is a liablility that can get someone hurt.  When I turn one of my two catch dogs to the bay I feel that I should be the first one in since it is my dog and his reponsiblity to make sure he is caught and  keep everyone safe.  On the same token if I am hunting with someone elses catch dog that I am not familiar with, I let them go first.  This is just my opinion, where we hunt it is usually pretty thick and we very rairly get to see the catch dog hit.