It all depends on a guys definition of a hunting dog. I'll talk about "Strike Dogs". Some won't label them a good strike dog unless they leave the truck running and don't come back until a hog is found. You know, lots of range and bottom. Some folks are ok with strike dogs that hang around close, within 20 yards and never leave. It depends on your hunting style. I think this quote is right on.
Some of the best, long range, hog finders that I have ever seen didn't care if there was a person hunting with them or not. I lean toward the dogs that really don't want your affection, but will let you put hands on them if you want to.
i've said it before i'll say it again . back in the day's of ol are hunting dogs were as well the family pets and household gaurd dogs . every dog i plan on keeping and putting my time into is welcome in my house for a while to learn me and bond with me and after that at spaced out intervals cause i cant let them all in at once and as a result of much affection and bonding i don't hunt with my dogs my dogs hunt with me .
Strike dog Kennels makes a good point as to what different hunters believe in what a good hunting dog is...
For me there is only one kind and all others are culls...If I am in the market for a catch dog I want him to be a natural. I want to see him catch a 15 pound shoat at 10-12 weeks.
If I am looking for a strike dog I would like it to be a natural. I want it to roll out at 3 - 4 months in the woods. I don't want it running straight lines but making a circle around me...He is not trained to do this but does it out of natural instinct. What make these dogs great are the small things that we do right...and that is calling them at the right time, petting at the right time, disciplining at the right time, right amount of discipline, the right tone and allowing the dog to apologize....you want the dog to respect you but not fear you...
You can hug them, baby talk to them and they will perform because that natural drive is built in...
