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KevinN
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« on: July 30, 2013, 01:43:32 pm » |
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At what age do you think a dog/gyp "is what it is"?
I know there are variables like how often the dog/gyp is hunted and how many hogs they've actually been on.
I also know there are guys that will say "they aint never finished, they learn every time out".....well, ok....I guess they do, but......
I think in general.....If the animal is hunted on a fairly regular basis (once a week...average) and gets on hogs nearly every hunt, by the time they are 3 years old....you should pretty much know what the dog is/isn't. Oh...also heard it said that a dog is at its peak at around 5 years old.
That's JMO.....what do y'all think?
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"Let's talk some philosophy"
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Black Smith
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« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2013, 04:58:12 pm » |
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I agree that at 3 years old you should know what you have. I know it will vary but to me that's a good rule of thumb!!!
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YELLOWBLACKMASK
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« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2013, 08:47:17 pm » |
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If you dont have a good bead on a dog getting hunted at that frequency by 3...... You just wasted a year and half worth of dog food. Or the dog is to unstable to render a decision ...which is also a cull. 2 is fly or........ya get the picture. Never understand why folks beg em to do their jobs. Can't Want the hunt into em! Jmo. O course.  |
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Reuben
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« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2013, 09:11:27 pm » |
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a great dog is one that is a very good hunting dog at 1 year of age...but at 18 months the pup should be pretty good for an up and comer...at 2 years her should be about as good as most very good dogs and at 3 should be about as good as they get...at this age it is a good balance of desire/testosterone from youth and experience and maturity from reaching 3 years of age...but as I always say...the pup better be on a learning curve and if he is not on it he might make a good dog but not in my yard...JMO
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Training dogs is not about quantity, it's more about timing, the right situations, and proper guidance...After that it's up to the dog...
A hunting dog is born not made...
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mike rogers
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« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2013, 09:36:51 pm » |
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X2. You should have a pretty good clue watch you got when the pups are 5 months old (gamey and grit and such) . You should have a better picture of what you got and where your going by 12 to 16 months ( nose, drive, grit, brains and such). By 2 years you should be really set in the direction your going and should be thinking about pairing that stuff up for future dogs.
Not all dogs start at the same time. Their are some "slow" starters that turn out to be great dogs. Sometimes patients can pay off, but most folks (including me) want a fast start'n pup. It's up to you on what you want, but there a lot of folks that waist a lot of time and dog food waiting for a two year old to mature......
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TexasHogDogs
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« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2013, 10:22:44 pm » |
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I think if the dog is brought up right and hunts with fine dogs and a good handler by the time he is two years old you are gonna have a good ideal of what he might be. But I am also a firm, firm believer that a dog is not fully mature until atleast three years old and a lot of dogs even older.
I also believe there is just as many wasted are ruined good dog because of inexperienced handlers .
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The older I get the less Stupidity I can stand !
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Justified
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« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2013, 11:53:08 pm » |
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I agree, to an extent. 2years and you will have a very good idea of what you have, but my rules for a pup, well there aren't any. I guess if I had to set a cutoff for a pup it would be 8months, but even then, it's not much of a guarantee other then they'll work. Also, Id say the line of dogs has a lot to do with it. Foundation dogs for example, in my experience tend to develop a little slower but when they get going they are something to watch...not all but I hope you see what I'm saying. I still wouldn't give them more then two years to earn their keep.
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KevinN
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« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2013, 06:50:05 am » |
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Boys I ain't talkin bout cull or keep. I'm talkin bout full blown hog dog maturity. When is the dog at its best?
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"Let's talk some philosophy"
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KevinN
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« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2013, 07:17:40 am » |
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a great dog is one that is a very good hunting dog at 1 year of age...but at 18 months the pup should be pretty good for an up and comer...at 2 years her should be about as good as most very good dogs and at 3 should be about as good as they get...at this age it is a good balance of desire/testosterone from youth and experience and maturity from reaching 3 years of age...but as I always say...the pup better be on a learning curve and if he is not on it he might make a good dog but not in my yard...JMO
That's what I'm lookin for Reuben |
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"Let's talk some philosophy"
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KevinN
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« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2013, 04:21:31 pm » |
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I think if the dog is brought up right and hunts with fine dogs and a good handler by the time he is two years old you are gonna have a good ideal of what he might be. But I am also a firm, firm believer that a dog is not fully mature until atleast three years old and a lot of dogs even older.
I also believe there is just as many wasted are ruined good dog because of inexperienced handlers .
Like it! |
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"Let's talk some philosophy"
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