If you Had to Start Over

[Buck]

Let's suppose that you had to start over in Hog Dogs.....

1. WHat kind of dog would you choose and why?
2. when you picked the kind of dog ....what bloodline would you choose and why?
3. What are the best and worst traits of that particular bloodline?

Just wondering.

[Monteria]

Considering the time, money and effort that it took me to get where I am, and the setbacks that I have experienced....... f I had to start over, I might just go back to bow hunting 

[craig]

i would spend the money and buy the best dog i could find.

it took me about 3 or 4 years to really get rolling cause i was too tight to buy a finished dog.

once you get a good finished dog then you can produce your own dogs..

[BigAinaBuilt]

Hmm, Interesting question! I still think of myself as a noobie but if I had to go with the knowledge and experience I have thus far I would say:
1. I would choose a dog that had already been started by a great trainer whos style of training and starting of a dog I feel would produce the dog I am looking for. As far as why, I have been through a fair share of dogs that just didn't make the cut and others that could have but I was to preoccupied with other things to give it the starting that it needed in order to build and progress.

2. I don't really have a "favorite" bloodline and haven't been exposed to very many of them but I have started to become fond of my Greyhound crosses.
Why? I feel when crossed with Bull or Shorthair Pointer to add grit it has the potential to get on alot of pigs and get them stopped.

3. The major fault of a Greyhound is its skin. They have a very thin skin and thin hair that can become scratched and irritated by being run across branches and barbwire let alone a tusk. I have also read that the Greyhound isn't made for long distance journeys but because I have crossed mine I have not ran into this problem. The best trait about a Greyhound is its speed.

[uglydog]

I have thought about this many times over the past several years "What if I lost every dog on my yard at once, how would I start back again".

Luckily I have placed many dogs that I either bred or raised, in the hands of some good people that no doubt in my mind would help me get back to where I was with some of the same blood of dogs that I like.
I have met alot of good people through the years, many of them are active here on this message board, that I could go to and buy a few dogs that will suit my standards. With experience and observing alot of dogs work its alot easier to know what I am looking for in a dog without having to go through all the years of trial and error all over again, and think it would not be near as long or costly to get a good pack going again.

However, If something Tragic were to happen to loose all I have worked for all at one time, I am not sure I would jump right back in face first. Mostly I start raising a few pups staggerd in ages ever so often, so I can always have something young, some already in their prime and unfortunately I have many that are on the dowhill slide due to age and injuries that have seen their better days, and it is costly to keep this many mainted throughout the year, but I am a little paranoid about loosing a good thing I have going with my dogs.

[Circle C]

if I had to start over, I would hunt behind as many dogs as I could, and when I found the ones I liked, I would spend the money that it takes to own them.  Going through a bunch of junk hoping to find a good dog for cheap, will cost more than the "right" expensive dog in the long run.

[crackerc]

If I had to start over (heaven forbid..) I think I would just find me a gal in a bikini and take up fishing......

Lot less effort and expense...........I think......

[hogdoggerdude14]

Well I got no dogs and very little experiance but I want to choose a lacy cat or a big bmc

[craig]

cracker
   that gal in the bikini will get old and fat after a while.

  hereing a pig sqeal wont every get old.

[raider54]

if I had to start over, I would hunt behind as many dogs as I could, and when I found the ones I liked, I would spend the money that it takes to own them.  Going through a bunch of junk hoping to find a good dog for cheap, will cost more than the "right" expensive dog in the long run.

Brother you hit the nail right on the head, you can buy a $10 pair of boots or a $100 pair of boots I will promise if you choose the later of the two you will spend the rest of your days with a smile over the decision you made

[HogzgoneWild]

If I had to start over I would die .......Seriously I agree with Chris(circle c), thats working smarter and not harder, knowing what we know now!

[Etxcntryboy]

If I had to start over, I think I'd crap in my hand, and rub it in my hair!!!

[crackerc]

Craig, she may, but oh the fun you could have until then....
You know, toes in the water, A** in the sand kind of thing....LOL

I don't like the squealing as much as I like the sound of one good dog telling the world that he has the hog stopped and is looking him in the eye. Thats what I hunt for, and its what keeps me raising a pup every so often, looking for one that can do it better than the last one did.

[cward]

I would just become a stripper!!!!

[ETHHunters]

I would just become a stripper!!!!

Surely you would have better luck just starting over!

[crackerc]

cward you may just be onto something with all those good looking women you have hunting with you......

You could start the hoggendales or something....LOL

[Pecos21]

I would find me a good Florida Cur and an old school jughead Leopard dog out of North GA/TN area and maybe a Yellow BMC....mainly for their drive and stamina......this coming from personal experience with the first two breeds.....I have never owned a Yellow BMC....but have been around some good 'uns.........

As far as bloodlines go......not sure.....I have had some SORRY dogs out of some "good" bloodlines that I paid good money for. The best hog dogs I have ever owned were given to me.......   I don't put much stock in named bloodlines........ There are really good dogs, really bad dogs, and a whole lot of mediocre dogs in every breed and bloodline. It is a gamble every time you get a new dog. So I guess I am saying......I would go about it the same way I did before with the exception of paying good money for "good" bloodlines.........when I can get free dogs that have 98% worked out better for me............

[oklahoma hogger]

Well if i started over i think i would just put my nose to the ground and find the hogs myself!! lol
: )

[BigAinaBuilt]

Well if i started over i think i would just put my nose to the ground and find the hogs myself!! lol
: )

This could put you in a very vulnerable position! 

[Bryant]

If I had to start all over again, I'd take all the money I've spent over the years on supplies, feed, hunting rigs, fuel, vet bills, pups, kennels, etc. etc. etc in the bank...quit my job and go sip margaritas on a beach somewhere in the caribbean for the rest of my days.