Message #48520

[Bryant]

This thread has been interesting, but here's my take.

I believe the main difference in cow dogs and hog dogs is that very few of us make our living with hog dogs, and there are probably even fewer who have a pack of cow dogs that they just use to go catch cattle for a few hours on a Saturday morning just for sport.

Due to the nature of how cow dogs work, it is imperative that they have a handle put on them that's simply just not required in hog dogs (but not saying isn't possible).  Cow dogs typically do not do a job alone, but rather they are a tool; a part of the whole package (handler, horse, etc) that all work together to get the job done. 

Hog dogs on the other hand, do not require anything other than some land to run.  Heck, I might load a couple of dogs go catch a hog and put them back in the kennels without ever saying a word to them.

There are similarities, but in my opinion there are also many differences.  For instance, in all my dogs one quality I look for is independance.  Many people might disagree, but I like a pup that's just a hair stand-offish.  I like a pup that is a little hard to catch....one that might even crawl in it's barrell when you approach the kennels.  It's been my experience that dogs like this will hunt much harder and deeper than those that always want to be by your side.  Call me crazy, but I don't feed my hog dogs for companionship.  I feed them for one thing only, and thats to leave and find me a hog when the gate opens.

I'm not knocking one or the other, in fact I know that it takes much more work to finish out a good cowdog.  Just trying to point out a few differences, and throw out some food for thought.