Reuben I SEEM to remember Quite a few Catahoulas back ten years or more ago being on the shy side but being jam up hunting dogs. I personally think a lot of that shyness has been bred out of them. I can't say for sure that its made any difference in overall hunting ability but like I said, those dogs ten years ago were just jam up dogs.
For the longest time I wouldn't own a yella dog because again, ten years ago it seemed all those jam up yella bay pen dogs that were winning everything were just scatter brained as all get out. I THINK that's kinda been bred out too. It seems to me they are just as energetic and tight on the hogs as ever but not as ... ?psycho?
I think your dead on about the layer back dogs though. The ones I've owned or been around that we're laid back almost had a swagger. They knew there was nothing to get excited about until the tailgate dropped.
I'm currently working on that theory and I will have to get back with you on those results..... in a few years.
DJ,
will be looking forward to your theories in the near future...
Kevin,
If I had to pick a pup without much testing the trait most important to me is to look for the laid back puppy that is keen to his surroundings, these pups can play hard some of the time but will go out and explore on there own...which to me is a clue that they will hunt out and be independent when grown...no guarantees but I will always try to pick the best I can.
a great hunting dog that is laid back has an air or aura about them...kind of dignified and maybe somewhat aloof...an above it all type of attitude...once I noticed these traits in a good hunting dog I started looking at all the champion dog pics every month in the full cry magazine...
been doing it for years...to me it can be seen in the pics...a high percentage of champion hunting dogs have that "LOOK" about them...after all they say a picture is worth a thousand words...
