What "I" consider a breed worthy dog...

[Noah]

Disclaimer:  These are only my opinions based on my observations of dogs that hunt the way I like to hunt... 


... first off, allow me to re-define how I hunt, which will hopefully allow my description of a breed worthy dog make more sense...

Most of the properties I hunt are no more than a few thousand acres with decent numbers of hogs, so a shorter range, busy, gritty/hard stopping dog helps keep races short for maximum productivity... this type of hunting is all about STOPPING a hog before he can exceed what I call the "burst" of a fresh dog.... This "burst" is usually the first big run when a dog jumps a hog... if the dog can't get that hog sat down in the first 500yds, the "burst" or "sprinting ability" of the dog has been exhausted, at which point, bottom takes over and when and where the hog bays up becomes much less predictable... To help maintain this ability to stop a hog, I try to keep drops short and rotate dogs often to keep them fresh. 

Although I have permission to retrieve dogs from neighboring properties, it is common courtesy to avoid running long range dogs that make crossing fences an every hunt occurence... not to mention... in the hours wasted in a long race to catch ONE hog... shorter range dogs can pile up multiples in the same amount of time... productivity.

Disadvantages of this style... well, obviously, sometimes the hogs get into thick stuff that the dog just can't reach him to put teeth on... hog gets away... OH WELL!  I've learned that that very same hog will eventually screw up and give them a shot...    Another disadvantage is taking a cool/cold track... sometimes I see a track that I sure would like to catch, but because I run mainly hot nosed dogs, anything over a half hour old is usally a waste of time... OH WELL!  Dogs make up for it in winding ability, which I sure enjoy anyways 

The way I hunt is very "integral", for lack of a better term... I compare it to bow hunting... much more up close and personal in the same way... I am very much hunting "with" my dogs...  When walk hunting, I prefer to stay relatively close to the dogs(4-500yds), so I can get a catch dog in quick to seal the deal.  I like a dog to be busy, beat brush, and loop around me... allowing me to walk dogs into areas that I know hold hogs... because of the lack of cold trailing ability, knowing the woods and reading sign become much more important to get my dogs near the hogs.




SO... for these purposes... when I judge a dog based on breed-worthiness, I look at him/her as an individual first and foremost.

- Does the dog produce hogs by himself?  More importantly, does the dog produce GOOD(trophy) hogs by himself?  This is quality I have seen that separates "good" dogs from "great" ones in this style of hunting... some dogs quite simply are better at stopping the bad ones... takes a dog with no fear... borderline crazy sometimes I think lol, to step up to a hard running big boar hog and make him stop to fight... very intense task that a lot of dogs, I might even say a majority of dogs, learn NOT TO DO...  Takes gettin' wrecked one good time for most dogs to say "the HELL with that", and just wait on this type of hog to stop on his own... A VERY FEW dogs, however, get good at this... stopping big bad hogs that want to run before they can hit gear and get off property...   THIS IS WHAT I CONSIDER A BREED WORTHY DOG.... very dangerous quality to possess, many do not last long but some do... again, this is a desireable trait I choose to breed for...

... goes without saying that they wouldn't have even had the chance to make it to this point if the dog's build/personality were not up to my standards to begin with...

Hope that makes some sort of sense(cuz if it don't, too bad... my brain is gettin' a cramp lol), I feel that sometimes it's hard to understand hunting concepts with all the different styles out there... things I didn't understand a year ago make complete sense to me now... constantly evolving based on what the properties/hogs dictate...

[TexasLacy]

I think that we think alike.  Although, I usually get to hunt on 10-20 thousand acres, it doesn't mean I want to go on hour(s) long runs. I like my dogs short ranged while working.

[W-tate]

well said noah

[5150hogdogs]

well said noah

X2

[Reuben]

short range is good...but only if the dog shuts the hog down...and if the hog manages to stay ahead of the dogs, then I want the dogs to have enough bottom to stick with it...

[Black Hog 69]

Thats exactly how I like to hunt!!!

[T-Bob Parker]

Let me say up front, what you have described is not what I have planned out for MY kennels. NOW, I think all of the young guys out here who are really gung ho about hog dogs but are starting to get that itch for the next step need to take notice of what Noah has done.

This man knows what he wants and not only does he have a goal, but has clearly laid out that goal for himself to see. This is a major secret to success. In order to see if your gun shoots straight, pick a good target and keep shooting at it.

Kudos bro Noah

[JCook]

I really like this post prolly cause i feel the same way

[BA-IV]

Let me say up front, what you have described is not what I have planned out for MY kennels. NOW, I think all of the young guys out here who are really gung ho about hog dogs but are starting to get that itch for the next step need to take notice of what Noah has done.

This man knows what he wants and not only does he have a goal, but has clearly laid out that goal for himself to see. This is a major secret to success. In order to see if your gun shoots straight, pick a good target and keep shooting at it.

Kudos bro Noah

What T Bob said is true.  Put all the names, breeds, and opinions of all others aside and breed for YOURSELF.  As long as you do this, have a goal in mind, cull hard, and feed dogs hog tracks from day one, then you'll have a program to be proud of. People get caught up on the hype to much, I've done alot of research on alot of breeds, lines, and single dogs out there and haven't even began to scratch the surface.  It's hard finding a good dog.  I feel your pain Noah.  People think I'm dumb, but I spend alot of time on the phone, reading old threads, and analyzing specific dogs.  Everybody has different goals, what makes a program is sticking to them goals.  

I hope you find a dog, and I'd like to see the animal that you choose when you make your choice.  

[curdog87]

Amen to it all.

[warrent423]

Shouldn't have to look outside Florida to find someone with a good close range, rough curdog. 

[hogaholicswife]

Shouldn't have to look outside Florida to find someone with a good close range, rough curdog. 

I agree, you are just going to have to dig deep and do some hunting.

If you want, I will PM you my husbands number if you would like to come down and take a look at / hunt with Goober.  I won't put the number of hogs we have put in the trailer with him out there because they just do not make sense but I can assure you he has PLENTY of tropies under his belt that he caught on his own.

We don't get on big hogs much any more and they run ALOT harder now so the dogs tend to have a longer range / stick.  He is one of those that with out alot of vet care he wouldn't be here today because as a young'in he was intense....still as a fat old man he gets himself in hairy situations some times.

[warrent423]

Shouldn't have to look outside Florida to find someone with a good close range, rough curdog. 

I agree, you are just going to have to dig deep and do some hunting.

If you want, I will PM you my husbands number if you would like to come down and take a look at / hunt with Goober.  I won't put the number of hogs we have put in the trailer with him out there because they just do not make sense but I can assure you he has PLENTY of tropies under his belt that he caught on his own.

We don't get on big hogs much any more and they run ALOT harder now so the dogs tend to have a longer range / stick.  He is one of those that with out alot of vet care he wouldn't be here today because as a young'in he was intense....still as a fat old man he gets himself in hairy situations some times.

Make sure to introduce him to Levi

[Noah]

I need to meet this mr Levi I think 

Miss Ashley, your family is about the only type of people I would do a dog deal with...  I do need to make a hunt with yall one day so we can talk dogs... send me his number and I'll see if we can't set something up

I know some sho-e-nuff dog men in Florida and none of them know of a jam up male dog right now... females yes... top-end stud dogs always seem to be hard to come by...

I want one more outcross male before I start crossing back in to try and intesify what it is I already have.

[hogaholicswife]

A trip to Levi's is a MUST but we have to go in the morning cause he will have plenty to talk about...but in a good way!  (and he has a good/ SMART black n tan male) that might peek your interest.

I will talk to my husband and let him know I have been dealing / setting up a.hunt behind his back and that I am giving his number out lol

A good stud dog is hard to come by, we just have to acknowledge they all have their 'faults' (which is where the good females come into compliment them) but the only true way to gauge them is to hunt them and those of 'our preference' are tough to keep around to make into stud dogs.