Another trait I like to see “instinctively” is thoughtfulness. I mean when you have something you are trying to accomplish and the dog reads you and tries to assist. Often with modern Curs we have bred further away from this trait accidentally by selecting towards specialization. I don’t mean “the dogs back in the day were way better...”, actually I think it could be argued that some dogs today are far more effective at their individual niche. Sometimes though, it’s refreshing to see the old ways active in a modern dog.
Quick anecdote;
Old bitch I was gifted years ago, several times had hogs in a stock tank and learned that it was easier for us 2 legged’s to catch the hog if she moved it to our side. I watched her countless times try a hog in the middle of a body of water, figuring out if it was an attack hog or a run off hog and she’d adjust her pressure and body position accordingly. Eventually this trait moved onto dry land and shed lead hogs towards me any time she was able. When there was a bunch of dogs around she usually couldn’t, but by herself, I’d walk up to find her leading a hog up the trail right to me.
She produced one daughter who would do it and a son who is beginning to show signs of it if only I could hunt him more once every 2 months
