Help choosing/finding my first hunting dog
Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 10:35 pm
Hi all,
I've been a long time reader but decided to join since I'm planning to get my first hunting dog next spring! So, with a little background info, I was hoping you all could point me in the right direction.
My goal with a hunting dog is to provide it the most opportunities to hunt as possible, therefore, the species I want to hunt reflect that with their abundance and long seasons. I'm looking for a dog that will hunt squirrel, coon, coyote, and bobcats when I can find them. Hunting will be squirrel during the day, coon at night, bobcat on snow only (I know this is the most challenging thing on the list to run, however, I'm not expecting a superstar - I'm just looking to play the game if I find a track, regardless of the results), and coyote (running - not decoying) in the winter with other hounds, since one dog may not be particularly safe. This combination of species should provide hunting/training opportunity nearly year round. The dog would also be asked to blood track (I'm color blind) and join me on the trapline.
I am leaning towards a leopard hound/cur, a gold nugget or Stryker bred kemmer cur, or maybe a stephens cur. The dog will be as much a companion as a hunter, so I'm looking for a dog that is smart, trainable/obedient, and cares what it's owner thinks; all of which should make life in general easier. As for hunting ability, I'm looking for a dog that will not forget about squirrels once it learns what a coyote is (I've read some account's of dogs losing interest in smaller game once they are hunted on bigger animals), and I'd also like a dog that has enough nose to take a track in the morning that was made in the night, with good snow conditions. I'd like a dog that also isn't too open on track (so squirrels don't timber out before the dog arrives), but I'm also not looking for completely silent. I'm also looking for a dog that has plenty of drive and bottom for a long trail or chase (I've read that some of the squirrel bred curs dont have the stamina, either mental or physical, to deal with a long coyote or bobcat race). Lastly, I'd like the dog to be somewhat biddable (even in the presence of game) for safety reasons and to help blood trailing and trapping run smoother.
I start my PhD at PSU this fall. After my first year of preliminary courses, I will transition into research which is very flexible in location (home/office), times (I can make my own hours as long as I get ~40hrs/week in), and when (it doesn't matter what days I work, as long as I work 4 to 5 days a week)...So my schedule's flexability should easily accomadate a hunting dog after my first year, which will be next spring.
I am open to suggestions if another dog breed/strain would check all the boxes I've listed, however as I mentioned before, I'm leaning more toward the cur type dogs. I feel confident that the right dog is out there - it's just a matter of finding it, so I'd like to hear from people that have done these things with their dogs and what breeders/strains you would suggest.
Thanks in advance,
Joe
I've been a long time reader but decided to join since I'm planning to get my first hunting dog next spring! So, with a little background info, I was hoping you all could point me in the right direction.
My goal with a hunting dog is to provide it the most opportunities to hunt as possible, therefore, the species I want to hunt reflect that with their abundance and long seasons. I'm looking for a dog that will hunt squirrel, coon, coyote, and bobcats when I can find them. Hunting will be squirrel during the day, coon at night, bobcat on snow only (I know this is the most challenging thing on the list to run, however, I'm not expecting a superstar - I'm just looking to play the game if I find a track, regardless of the results), and coyote (running - not decoying) in the winter with other hounds, since one dog may not be particularly safe. This combination of species should provide hunting/training opportunity nearly year round. The dog would also be asked to blood track (I'm color blind) and join me on the trapline.
I am leaning towards a leopard hound/cur, a gold nugget or Stryker bred kemmer cur, or maybe a stephens cur. The dog will be as much a companion as a hunter, so I'm looking for a dog that is smart, trainable/obedient, and cares what it's owner thinks; all of which should make life in general easier. As for hunting ability, I'm looking for a dog that will not forget about squirrels once it learns what a coyote is (I've read some account's of dogs losing interest in smaller game once they are hunted on bigger animals), and I'd also like a dog that has enough nose to take a track in the morning that was made in the night, with good snow conditions. I'd like a dog that also isn't too open on track (so squirrels don't timber out before the dog arrives), but I'm also not looking for completely silent. I'm also looking for a dog that has plenty of drive and bottom for a long trail or chase (I've read that some of the squirrel bred curs dont have the stamina, either mental or physical, to deal with a long coyote or bobcat race). Lastly, I'd like the dog to be somewhat biddable (even in the presence of game) for safety reasons and to help blood trailing and trapping run smoother.
I start my PhD at PSU this fall. After my first year of preliminary courses, I will transition into research which is very flexible in location (home/office), times (I can make my own hours as long as I get ~40hrs/week in), and when (it doesn't matter what days I work, as long as I work 4 to 5 days a week)...So my schedule's flexability should easily accomadate a hunting dog after my first year, which will be next spring.
I am open to suggestions if another dog breed/strain would check all the boxes I've listed, however as I mentioned before, I'm leaning more toward the cur type dogs. I feel confident that the right dog is out there - it's just a matter of finding it, so I'd like to hear from people that have done these things with their dogs and what breeders/strains you would suggest.
Thanks in advance,
Joe