Yes they can work, even the smaller ones BUT they do have a short life span as most have no reverse gear. I like one or two w/ two or three big dogs....trying to run just two or three patts will tend to get them hurt. My old Looney dog was a strike dog delux but if she was solo or no dogs honored her bay she was gettin cut. A good one should have plenty of nose and "busy" or hunt to them.Depending on the breeding and the individual hardness of the dog I think they fit well maybe not as good in general as jadg terrier but a good one can be comprable. How is yours bred? If you do start yours in a pen be sure to use a big enough hog,something that can bang her a bit and try to make it bay. Only other thing is if you have started the dog in underground work I would be carefull free casting one as it may disapear in ground w/o you knowing were ( I have had them underground for up to five hours before) but if the dog is green and you start it on hogs you should be ok.
Here is Mojo in his cut gear lol
Here is what happens when they get no help....it doesn't show the other cuts in her chest...
