EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Hi Guys,

I just registered on ETXHD, but have been following the forum for about a year.  I’m 28 years old, and hunt in Lavaca County. I have never owned a hog dog, but have been hunting my place for the last 6 years with a guy who always maintains a decent pack of dogs. 

Due to conflicting schedules, I do not get an opportunity to hunt with dogs as much as I would like… Unfortunately, I live in the city, already own 1 non hunting dog, and therefore cannot purchase several dogs to make my own pack. I have decided to buy a puppy, and train it as “1 OUT” hog hunting dog. It appears that very few people in the USA embrace this hunting style, and it’s really more of Australian thing. Regardless, hoping this reach’s the right people, as I need guidance, and direction on the following:

•What type of dog available for sale in the US would best meet my unique needs? It appears that Dane crosses are utilized in Australia. Is this a hunting style that a CADO, Argentina DOGO, or pure bred Great Dane would excel at?  I’m very interested in hearing from folks that use any of these breeds, or know of other crosses/ pure breeds that have proven to be successful operating as both as a short range strike dog, and catch dog… but with no help from other dogs

Now I’m very aware of some of the common concerns regarding this type of hunting style, so would like to clarify on the following:

•I understand it can be dangerous for the dog, but I have the financial means to provide the best cut vests and collars money can buy

•I understand that this hunting style does not work well in Texas because of the thick brush. However, I hunt on roughly 600 acres, and this primarily consists of open hay fields surrounded by small pockets of brush. We frequently hit packs of hogs in open fields late at night

Basically I’m ready to buy this dog, and looking for feedback or even phone numbers and names of people that have experience hunting this method, and know where and how I purchase this type of dog. I know I’m asking a lot, so feel free to call or email me if it would be easier to discuss over the phone.

Thanks

Andrew

Phone: (832) 259-2498
Email: andrewcb@live.com

HAHAHAHA... you just jumped head first into a tankfull of sharks son...  ;D

Allow me to give you my "constructive" 2 cents before the onslaught  ;D ;D

Nothin' wrong with one out... but, running one dog, eventually a running/hunting catch dog is gonna bump on a biggun that he can't handle solo for very long... so you have to hunt accordingly...

If I were to describe this dog, it would be a hard hitting, fast, short range dog.... Old Florida grove hunters have been breeding this type for years

Good luck, post pic of dog.

I have no problem with that style of hunting but I strongly suggest using two dogs since there are two ears and it only makes since to me ! Two dogs have a greater chance at anything thrown at them... Seems to me that running only one dog is just not going to be as productive or SAFE !!!  Just my two pennies...

If I were to try anything close like that style , I would use two catchy curs.

exactly what I was gonna say

Strong fast and leggy.  I hope silverton will post but for me it is a ridgeback.  Just made a ridgeback/pit cross I think may work as well but will run 2 most times.  If I was going to only run one out I would want a dog 80 to 100 pounds 26 inches maybe a hair more with lots of leg and lots of stamina.  If it was me I would look at a stag cross maybe even a pure stag.  I don't like danes because of their health issues but they are big pretty dogs lol. This is just my thoughts and what ifs but have put lots of thinking and research into what I want and what your looking for and what I'm looking for is close to the same but with consistently one dog I would want a little more size than I am shooting for.

Is your objective to tie the hogs and bring them out alive?

I would hunt 2 dogs that hunt and catch like a plott/pitbull cross or mtn cur /pitbull cross...but you will need a good tracking system cause some of these dogs won't bay...just catch...

the other way would be to hunt 1 loose bay/strike dog and you carry a gun with you...

look up L3 outdoors he swears by his "boar hounds" (great dane from the pound) :angel: being one out champs. sounds like you need a running catch dog with plenty leg under it. Maybe a catdo

Sure, you'll run into problems someday, but you Would no matter how many dogs you have. It's funny you posted this when you did because I know of a man in north Texas who just acquired his grandfathers entire pack of American and Russian staghounds. These particular stags are truly top drawer as coyote dogs and the fella who has them now wants to see some of them placed in hog hunting homes. If you'd like to know more, send me a pm and I'll send you his way.

A stag is a sighthound and will work well in pastureland settings given an intelligent handler.

wuts up guys I 2 am new 2 ethd  I live in hawaii and some times I'll run 1 dog.  when I check cows or when. I wanna work a dog 1 on 1.  its a great way 2 see wut a dog is really made of   if ur gona take da 1 dog route  its  best 2 alway have a gun and a lasso. even if it's a rcd

I wouldn't raise a puppy , I would either get a pitxcur or stagxcur  if I was getting one dog , but 2 is better I would go with a rough Cur that will catch most hogs but bay the bad ones till another dog gets there the second dog I would go with is a big stag , pit  or bulldog something that's no bark just catch ,

Raiseing a pup the dog my not preform like you want when grown , may bay may catch no gurantee a grown dog you can see what it doin right there an then , plus 600 acers you don't want no long range dog cause 600 acers cab get ran across pretty fast jmo

ive used my dogo on solo hunts and even as big as he is , hes gotten beat up couple times cause it took me awhile to get to him !  i recomend running two for the safety of the dogs nomatter what breed ! jmo

A lot of people hunt like that, it's not out of the ordinary. It will be a challenge. I've seen people use Great Danes anything "leggy". I know a guy that just had a litter of pitXcat pups that might work. Goodluck and keep us posted.

You might want to send a message to huey on here,his user name is Middleton. He uses a pair of daneXpit cross dogs that will find and catch there own in most any kind of terrain. I really like the direction he has gone with them and they can handle big hogs very well.

I have a pit/ridgeback that I use to hunt small places like that. But there are times she can't hold them on her own. she'll let out 3 or 4 barks then catch. I've started putting a pup with her that will bay so I can find her quicker. That works for me very well on short walk hunts.

You won't get a lot of firsthand experince comments, mostly just opinions which you can already see. I don't have a lot of experience, but I do have some. I have had two pit/dane ceosses that would hunt short range (200 yd) and straight catch. I preffer loose baying curs, but sometimes the property won't let me run them. Some places are in the edge of town, or are just small bedding areas that I don't want to get off of.

I would highly recommend the pit/dane cross as they have worked well for me. I would be curious to see how a little stag might compliment this cross. I would recommend running 2 dogs as well just because you will get on some that one dog may not handle. If that is a risk you are willing to take, then just run one. I don't know of any dogs or pups available at the time.

Good luck and don't let the haters discourage you, it's not a bad way to hunt if that's what you like.

anything that has some wind and catches. i had a cur dog that was a rcd. some ppl use catXpit, some curXpit, but if i was to choose myself id pick a straight ridgeback, staghound, or aridale. anyway you go good luck keep us posted

I run a Stag as a lead in and have used him one out on several occasions and he does great.... BUT he has to see them or hear a bay. He will not go "sniff" one out. So if your gonna hunt by line of sight only then get a Stag. Awesome dog IMO.

2 rough currs if they cant hold it down choot it my 2 cents

I know folks that are running a single cur dog while using night vision. They turn the dog onto hogs in a field. Dogs usually fair ok. Problems arise when the dogs get out of pocket on a big boar. The only protection their using is a cut collar. There will always be "what ifs" or "coulda" and "shouldas" when hunting dogs. I am trying to breed up some dogs that can handle most hogs by themselves but plan to run 2 at a time. My first breeding produced 60-65 lb dogs. They have been on a couple big boars and had good control of the boars. My pups are 1/4 dane 1/4 Campbell cur and 1/2 pit. Leggy, athletic, and hard catching dogs. You should look into some Aussie cut gear as it's made for the type of dogs your after.

I used to run my old dogo one out a bit (look through my old posts and you will see him), caught a lot of good boars with him by himself. He was about 70 lbs. Starting to run my new dogos on the ground also, but they are still young.

My advice. You better make sure your as legged up as the dog or are able to easily drive to you dog on whatever place you hunt. I had a few foot races with big boars trying to run off with my dog, running as fast as you can for 300 + yards then trying to handle a big boar by yourself is not as easy as it sounds. I would also let the dog work on handling hogs as much as you can, size is a big factor, but experience holding a hog for a good amount of time is probably the most important factor. Keep your dog in shape! If you do this one out thing, a time will come when your dog is having to hold a pig for a good while, sometimes close to an hour. God likes to play funny jokes and make the temperature rise about 10 degrees and he makes sure your dog is on a good size hog when you take him out and he hasn't been off a chain in three weeks, so keep him legged up.

If I was to give advice on a picking a pup/breed, go for more speed rather than more nose. To keep you and your dog safe, you want them striking and catching as close to you as possible... obviously.Nose can take a dog a long ways away, a lot faster than you can keep up, speed shortens the race if the hog gets on the move.

Dogos are a good breed for this due to their all around ability, but for your lack of experience, I would choose something with more speed and less nose. Some dogos have really good noses and their brains work alot differently than a cur or hound, at least from my experience. When they hit a trail, no matter how cold or hot it is, if they can pick up the scent that switch is on, they are full speed till they realize there is no hog, or they catch it. I have had them take off, go 1000 yards full blast and catch. I have had them take off, go 1000 yards full blast, lose the scent or quit the trail for whatever reason, and then trot back. Also, it can be a real pain finding a pup out of good hunting stock if you don't get in touch with the right people... not all dogos are hunting dogs and very few are attempting breeding dogos that are.

I would go with some sort of sight hound cross, stag, greyhound X dogo, ab, pit, dane. A bull X dane. Pit, dogo, ab X RR. Something along those lines. Like I said, shoot for more speed, less nose would be better. Hogs stink, any dog can smell them. If they smell them a long ways away, guess what, your going to be running a long ways away.

Get gear made for this style of hunting. There are a lot of options for this, Silverton Boar Dogs is a distributer of some real good stuff. Don't run a full vest, heat has a better chance at getting your dog more than the teeth do, especially running this style of dog.

Also, get two dogs, but still hunt one out. Dogs get hurt and two dogs means you can stay in the woods  ;)

You need a couple of things in a dog like this: speed, clean holding style, size, and some degree of hardness.

You can get that in several differant breeds and crosses.

I am running some Stags, Stag x Dogo,AB, and Dogo x Catahoula's.

The Dogo, Dane, Dane x Pit also work.

Aussie type gear is a must.

Dont steer him that direction!!!!!!


"the sun is shining somewhere in texas" -Jason Boland

I have a dog like this and he is 5/8 plott 3/8 cur, he gives maybe 2-3 barks then he catching i dont care how big a hog it is, but be ready for alot of down time with this kind of dog. I think that a plott x pit would be a better cross but i love the dog i have. And as far as gear i started run the Boar Bib and it has help out alot.

If you are having injury down time you are using the wrong "type" of dog for this kind of work. Thats why size and holding style are so important.

R u saying u dont have injury down time with ur dogs????

Since I have had my Stag he has been hit once out of at least 60 catches. I blame that on fatigue that day. There's no telling how many he caught before I owned him but I cant find any battle wounds on him. He/they have a clean holding style while my bulldog used to get hit all the time. Just an observation/opinion.

I caught a lot of one out hogs behind this dog. He could find em, catch em and hold em till you got there. My advice is no matter what kind of dog you get a gps is a must have. When a dog is catching a hog instead of baying it you need to be pretty close behind him. One thing I liked about him as opposed to my cur dogs is he was more short range. If a hog smoked him in the first 500yds he would come back most of the time. IMO that is a good thing with a one out dog. I don't want my dog caught a mile from me. I'm a big fan of the good ol pit. There pretty easy to come by. A good one will give you everything he has  every time.
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I hunt 1 out I recommend a garmin for the dog, good four wheeler, good pair of running shoes and a knife and a 30/30 lever action.
I use a foundation BMC..

My dane/pit has caught some big boars and only been cut under the chin. Bigger dogs are able to control big boars. Small dogs get thrown around on a big rough boar. A big dog catching and holding a big boar is not gonna get hurt much. There are a handful of us breeding towards an Aussie type dog.

Yes, I have very little injury down time with my holding dogs. That is normal and expected from a finder holder type dog. Hold clean, hold smart.

i had a cat hound mutt that would do some one out work. it worked for me but i also had a walk in pit that i would send in

Just because it makes some folks mad, don't make it a lie. I can't speak for silver tons dogs but I'll say that the red nose pit catchdog I gave away a month or so back had around 200 catches under her belt and a lot on real good hogs. She never had a single injury from a hog. Only cuts she ever got were from thorns.
If you expect excellence, you will at least get "pretty darn good"

I think more people should demand excellence from their bay dogs as well.

Well said T-Bob.

Years ago I spent many nights sewing up dogs after every hunt and waiting for them to heal up.

I got rid of all those "type" of dogs and now I spend my time catching pigs and not sewing up dogs all the time.

There are clean holding dogs in every breed, we should, as a group, pay more attantion to that and select for it.

Can a clean dog get cut? Well of course, but usually it happens at the hit up or when the dog is near exaustion. Once the dog has an ear not much bad can happen if you can get to them in a reasonable amout of time.

This last year I have watched my hairy dogs, on three occasions, jump over the back of a bad boar, while still holding, to keep from getting pinned on a tree or a creek bank.  Thats what I like to see. Hold clean, hold smart.

Never said it wasnt true. Just havent seen it, not with a one out "type" of dogs. Im not saying they get cut everytime but with the ones Ive seen that can truely go out hunt anywhere from 0-900 yards find a hog and catch that hog never get cut.

That's kinda what I wanted at first, so I started with a dogo. Then I got another one, stayed stubborn for a little while and finally, got a cur dog too. Took 2 1/2 years and I'm finally catching pigs on a more consistant basis. The cur isn't even a year old, but she set my other two off.

A word to the wise - some dogos are not short range. Running over 1500 yards to a dog can sometimes take over 20 mins depending on where you are.
If I were to start over, I would choose a long legged, short to medium ranged cur X pit, dogo, ab. Or a few small dogs like patterdales or jagds

I agree with most of the above comments, I would want a dog 80 to 110 lbs with good leg that is fast an a good vest they can move in. if it's open country an u can get to them fast a short range hard as nails dogs is good, but if your dog was going to hunt out far or in thicker country I would like them to be hard but smart so if u got onto a bad boar an u couldn't get to them quick they would let got an bay alittle till u got their an then they would catch again. Coz even if they hold smart if u get on a bad boar one out in a tank or really thick stuff where they can't move or u cant get to them they will get hurt eventually. In my experience hunting back in Australia I've had more luck with a dog that would let go then catch when u got their then a hang till u die type of dog ( I think it's smart) some people don't like it an think they will get u hurt, but the best dog I had was this type of dog I never seen him bay a pig but heard him many times an I caught plenty of pigs over 200lb just with him.
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I also ran a hard as nails type dog which was great if u got to her quick but many times when I eventually found her she was over heated or cut down ( before I had trackers) an the other dog would get the job done.
Over hear I started out running a Dane/pit which is a hard hang till u die type dog (no bay) with one lose cur that wouldn't help catch an I caught some good boars with just him catching but also got him cut down a bit as he would go as far as the cur would, now I run another rcd with him which is by him out of a Dogo/ridgeback gyp an it's made life alot easyer on him making it easyer to control a good pig.
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Ive hunted theis to rcds together on small places, an feedlots with no curs an had good luck with it, it's a fun way to Hunt if u have the right situation to do it. Just my thoughts Hugh
 

Guys,

I can't thank everyone enough for the feedback and comments. To clarify on a couple questions.....I would not be trying to take the hogs out alive, owning two dogs is "out of the question.” Also, I’m prepared to purchase a top of the line GPS tracker, along with proven and reliable cut gear.
 
I’m a little surprised about some of the comments that contained a hint of negativity…It amazes me that people can write something with the tone that it’s not safe, smart, or possible….AND they have no real experience hunting this way, or training a dog to hunt as a lone ranger.

However, I respect everyone’s opinions, and once again appreciate the feedback

Thanks   

Andrew

are you going to hunt them by sight or want them to smell them out ?

if u cant have that many dogs i would suggest getting 2 dogs short to medium range cur dogs 100-300 yards one of them a bay dog tht will hold the hog and onother tht can stay with the bay dog but will catch when he gets there if u do this you need to be able to get there fast because the hog might be to ruff for the one cur to handle