They are just over 7 months old now and so far I have been very impressed. They will flat smoke a trail laid with lion scent. We are currently roading them over 30 miles per week and they are staying in good shape. In fact, probably their best moment was just before our lion season closed. I had roaded them in the mtns for about 4-5 miles up a dirt road where we sometimes cut tracks. After roading them I put them in the truck just tied in with a chain. I decided to drive up aways and look at the road conditions (there wasn't much snow at this point). As I drove I noticed a lion scrape right off of the road. I stopped and before I could even get out to get a good look my male dog, Spider blew up. I got both hounds out, led them on a long leash for about 100 yards and they were both going nuts so I let them run. They took the lion track for HOURS. The hounds were moving pretty quick and I beleive had a cat jumped after going 1 canyon over. It was pretty cool, I was able to run up on a ridge and atch them finish the canyon just before pouring into the next. Well, they trailed him into a boulder pile with some huge rocks. They both were getting hung up on rocks and then finding their way off both still bawling a bit. There were a million little holes and caves there so I guess it's possible that the lion was in one or maybe not. I just know my 2- 7 month old dogs picked up the trail in the dirt and ran it in the dirt for a few hours and they impressed me for sure. They still have a lot of training to do and a LOT more game to see before I feel they can have a fully honest evaluation but, so far so good
K9/SAR MAN-HUNTERS BORN 7/3/11....check out my website link below for details 
