I think you should go and get you a hound and try it. Understanding others opinion is good, but I think you should go with your own gut feeling. If you don't want to invest a lot in a good hound, invite someone with some hounds and see how your dog reacts and interacts. I don't know where you are located, but I've got some hounds and would be willing to hunt with you. You may see something you like and a whole lot you don't like.
I hunt all over Oklahoma and I have one plott that is pretty rangy but mostly hunt cur dogs. I have a buddy who has some closed on trail walker dogs that are very rangy and pretty gritty. I like hunting with them and would love to hunt with you. What kind of hounds do YOU hunt? I am not opposed to hunting open hounds either. My allegiances lie in what will help me and my catch dogs get on the most hogs.
