Just like some people assume a long-range hunting dog is one who flies out the box and never stops running until he hits a mile, folks assume an open track dog is a slow, methodical dog that will trail a hog from here to the east coast but will always be a mile behind.
If a dog can flat smoke a track, it really makes no difference...more just personal preference. I'd bet 95% of the people who will come on here and tell you an open dog will clear the country are just repeating what they heard somewhere along the way.
I will throw out there that an open tracking dog probably won't get you many invites to go hunting with your buddies though...haha
I agree Mr. Bryant, alot of common misconceptions out there involving dogs. I prefer silent dogs simply because I don't care much to listen to a dog opening much on track but it doesn't have anything to do with that dog pushing the hog. In my honest opinion a good open dog is as good as a good silent dog. I just personally prefer silent dogs myself. Now if we are talkin about chasing corn bandits around the tree tops i'll listen to an ol bawl mouth hound all night long and love every minute of it!
