Question for the guys from Florida.

A slim, leggy, fairly quiet redbone hound, a long legged, black and tan, block headed leopard dog, and a good stock bred white bulldog were our foundation dogs when building good cur cow dogs. With a really "good" bulldog, the hound over bulldog cross would get us close to the right kind with the first generation. If a little more "cattle sense" was needed, we'd cross a leopard dog in there. We would try and keep a couple of redbone/leopard crossed dogs around as well that could be crossed over a good bulldog to save a step and get us there quicker. First generation cross would set the "type" preferred. Usually had a couple favor the hound, couple favor the bulldog, and a couple that were in between. We've always culled hard. Pups were given every opportunity to make hands by 6 months old. Always had a couple from that first generation that would open from behind cattle. They were the first to be culled. Straight head dogs is what we bred for. Dogs that went to the front to stop, no exceptions. Dogs that would get as rough as needed to get control of cattle, with good circle and finesse. The old "cow hunting" dogs would have more nose than improved pasture dogs. That would go back to the "type" required statement I made. Absolute handle was a must. These dogs crossed over to hogs very well.