different breeds and strains start at different ages...I have a 1/2 redbone 1/4 amer. bulldog 1/4 pitbull that looks like a pure cur dog that I really like...not the best around but pretty good. he hunted some at a year and at 2 years is fair...
my expectation of a good dog of the type I like must show something at 6-8 months old and be hunting good at a year old and put a hog at the other end of the tracks at 18 months old...but at a year he should be finding its own hog...I also make note of all the pups that start early and only breed those...over a period of time early starters beget more early starters...inbreeding and line breeding these type of dogs will clean up the gene pool sooner than later...
i agree wat your saying but @ 18 months do you expect them to stay w/ a runner for at least 3 to 4 hours
thank you Reuben
The very best ones did make that long race at 12 months and all that I kept by 18 months... but I usually culled them before 18 months...also when the dogs have been put up for a while and out of shape even my old dogs got over heated and quit after a long run in the thick briars...so every prospect must be evaluated according to different weather conditions and terrain...everything must be considered as the pup is growing including how much exposure and training...but I agree with 7MHunter...a hunting dog is born not made...same as a star is born and not made...
