I want to hunt a little diffrent.....

[HVILLEHNTR]

Hi Guys,

I just registered on ETXHD, but have been following the forum for about a year.  I’m 28 years old, and hunt in Lavaca County. I have never owned a hog dog, but have been hunting my place for the last 6 years with a guy who always maintains a decent pack of dogs. 

Due to conflicting schedules, I do not get an opportunity to hunt with dogs as much as I would like… Unfortunately, I live in the city, already own 1 non hunting dog, and therefore cannot purchase several dogs to make my own pack. I have decided to buy a puppy, and train it as “1 OUT” hog hunting dog. It appears that very few people in the USA embrace this hunting style, and it’s really more of Australian thing. Regardless, hoping this reach’s the right people, as I need guidance, and direction on the following:

•What type of dog available for sale in the US would best meet my unique needs? It appears that Dane crosses are utilized in Australia. Is this a hunting style that a CADO, Argentina DOGO, or pure bred Great Dane would excel at?  I’m very interested in hearing from folks that use any of these breeds, or know of other crosses/ pure breeds that have proven to be successful operating as both as a short range strike dog, and catch dog… but with no help from other dogs

Now I’m very aware of some of the common concerns regarding this type of hunting style, so would like to clarify on the following:

•I understand it can be dangerous for the dog, but I have the financial means to provide the best cut vests and collars money can buy

•I understand that this hunting style does not work well in Texas because of the thick brush. However, I hunt on roughly 600 acres, and this primarily consists of open hay fields surrounded by small pockets of brush. We frequently hit packs of hogs in open fields late at night

Basically I’m ready to buy this dog, and looking for feedback or even phone numbers and names of people that have experience hunting this method, and know where and how I purchase this type of dog. I know I’m asking a lot, so feel free to call or email me if it would be easier to discuss over the phone.

Thanks

Andrew

Phone: (832) 259-2498
Email: andrewcb@live.com

[Noah]

HAHAHAHA... you just jumped head first into a tankfull of sharks son... 

Allow me to give you my "constructive" 2 cents before the onslaught 

Nothin' wrong with one out... but, running one dog, eventually a running/hunting catch dog is gonna bump on a biggun that he can't handle solo for very long... so you have to hunt accordingly...

If I were to describe this dog, it would be a hard hitting, fast, short range dog.... Old Florida grove hunters have been breeding this type for years

[Txhogman22]

Good luck, post pic of dog.

[Dirtydog]

I have no problem with that style of hunting but I strongly suggest using two dogs since there are two ears and it only makes since to me ! Two dogs have a greater chance at anything thrown at them... Seems to me that running only one dog is just not going to be as productive or SAFE !!!  Just my two pennies...

[txsteve85]

If I were to try anything close like that style , I would use two catchy curs.

[dwhd93]

If I were to try anything close like that style , I would use two catchy curs.

exactly what I was gonna say

[Purebreedcolt]

Strong fast and leggy.  I hope silverton will post but for me it is a ridgeback.  Just made a ridgeback/pit cross I think may work as well but will run 2 most times.  If I was going to only run one out I would want a dog 80 to 100 pounds 26 inches maybe a hair more with lots of leg and lots of stamina.  If it was me I would look at a stag cross maybe even a pure stag.  I don't like danes because of their health issues but they are big pretty dogs lol. This is just my thoughts and what ifs but have put lots of thinking and research into what I want and what your looking for and what I'm looking for is close to the same but with consistently one dog I would want a little more size than I am shooting for.

[Bryant]

Is your objective to tie the hogs and bring them out alive?

[Reuben]

I have no problem with that style of hunting but I strongly suggest using two dogs since there are two ears and it only makes since to me ! Two dogs have a greater chance at anything thrown at them... Seems to me that running only one dog is just not going to be as productive or SAFE !!!  Just my two pennies...

I would hunt 2 dogs that hunt and catch like a plott/pitbull cross or mtn cur /pitbull cross...but you will need a good tracking system cause some of these dogs won't bay...just catch...

the other way would be to hunt 1 loose bay/strike dog and you carry a gun with you...

[Peachcreek]

look up L3 outdoors he swears by his "boar hounds" (great dane from the pound) being one out champs. sounds like you need a running catch dog with plenty leg under it. Maybe a catdo

[T-Bob Parker]

Sure, you'll run into problems someday, but you Would no matter how many dogs you have. It's funny you posted this when you did because I know of a man in north Texas who just acquired his grandfathers entire pack of American and Russian staghounds. These particular stags are truly top drawer as coyote dogs and the fella who has them now wants to see some of them placed in hog hunting homes. If you'd like to know more, send me a pm and I'll send you his way.

A stag is a sighthound and will work well in pastureland settings given an intelligent handler.

[Koa96727]

wuts up guys I 2 am new 2 ethd  I live in hawaii and some times I'll run 1 dog.  when I check cows or when. I wanna work a dog 1 on 1.  its a great way 2 see wut a dog is really made of   if ur gona take da 1 dog route  its  best 2 alway have a gun and a lasso. even if it's a rcd

[SwampHunter]

I wouldn't raise a puppy , I would either get a pitxcur or stagxcur  if I was getting one dog , but 2 is better I would go with a rough Cur that will catch most hogs but bay the bad ones till another dog gets there the second dog I would go with is a big stag , pit  or bulldog something that's no bark just catch ,

Raiseing a pup the dog my not preform like you want when grown , may bay may catch no gurantee a grown dog you can see what it doin right there an then , plus 600 acers you don't want no long range dog cause 600 acers cab get ran across pretty fast jmo

[dogo24]

ive used my dogo on solo hunts and even as big as he is , hes gotten beat up couple times cause it took me awhile to get to him !  i recomend running two for the safety of the dogs nomatter what breed ! jmo

[JRyanS]

A lot of people hunt like that, it's not out of the ordinary. It will be a challenge. I've seen people use Great Danes anything "leggy". I know a guy that just had a litter of pitXcat pups that might work. Goodluck and keep us posted.

[ROCKIN ROO HOG DOGS]

You might want to send a message to huey on here,his user name is Middleton. He uses a pair of daneXpit cross dogs that will find and catch there own in most any kind of terrain. I really like the direction he has gone with them and they can handle big hogs very well.

[Plainhorseman]

I have a pit/ridgeback that I use to hunt small places like that. But there are times she can't hold them on her own. she'll let out 3 or 4 barks then catch. I've started putting a pup with her that will bay so I can find her quicker. That works for me very well on short walk hunts.

[levibarcus]

You won't get a lot of firsthand experince comments, mostly just opinions which you can already see. I don't have a lot of experience, but I do have some. I have had two pit/dane ceosses that would hunt short range (200 yd) and straight catch. I preffer loose baying curs, but sometimes the property won't let me run them. Some places are in the edge of town, or are just small bedding areas that I don't want to get off of.

I would highly recommend the pit/dane cross as they have worked well for me. I would be curious to see how a little stag might compliment this cross. I would recommend running 2 dogs as well just because you will get on some that one dog may not handle. If that is a risk you are willing to take, then just run one. I don't know of any dogs or pups available at the time.

Good luck and don't let the haters discourage you, it's not a bad way to hunt if that's what you like.

[Kid7]

anything that has some wind and catches. i had a cur dog that was a rcd. some ppl use catXpit, some curXpit, but if i was to choose myself id pick a straight ridgeback, staghound, or aridale. anyway you go good luck keep us posted

[chads7376]

I run a Stag as a lead in and have used him one out on several occasions and he does great.... BUT he has to see them or hear a bay. He will not go "sniff" one out. So if your gonna hunt by line of sight only then get a Stag. Awesome dog IMO.