Jeff Allen pups question

[heat1]

I live in south Al and hunt here and in Florida. We have alot of thick stuff as well. I think people have a huge misconception about dogs and their mental capacity. They are not robots. You get a dog that has been hurt, I mean mashed down, pulled under a bear, and had the helpless fealing of being at its mercy.....it is a tough thing for them to get over. Now take that same dog and get it to go bay and fight something that it cannot see because the briars are so thick. I don't like it but I have had dogs bayed, me walk in to them ,and the bear be gone. This is after they have taken some abuse and knew better than to crawl up in the bushes with them. Heck...when you walk into a bayed bear, how much better do you feel once you see where he is at. I have been close enough to a bear to hear him breathing and never see him. I have seen dogs that are use to open country run up on their first bear bay in thick woods. They piled on that dude and for about 3 or 4 minutes were getting right. After the dust settled and they figured out they could not get away from that dude, they were out looping and peeping in the bushes looking for him. Any way just my 2 cents. Find the traits in any dog that you must have and can live without. Put priorities on them and rank the priorities. Things that I might not can live with may be fine by you, and vice versa.

[Nolte]

Joey's got it right on the thick stuff.

I've only hunted WI and MI, but here (depending on where you hunt) you need a dog that can handle crossing water, being in water, and baying up in thick stuff to be a good bear dog. I'd hate to know the count of young dogs I've ran that bayed up on water and wouldn't cross. This is usually followed up by some swimming lessons.

A few things that aren't as important to us are how tough their feet are (at least in the summer) and how good they get through the ledges. The highest thing that most dogs have to jump up in WI is a tailgate, so they would be a little confused when they had to sidehill and cut to get up someplace.

[Budd Denny]

Joey and Ron, I think the walker I got from Jeff will turn around. I seen some improvements already in him. The little red dog I got from Jeff I've only gotten out a few times in Wisconsin and once in Maine cause he got laid up by the first bear he was on. Not saying either will make bear dogs here but after next season I'll know a lot more about em, that said I'm looking forward to running bobcat with them this winter, the thing that has me concerned is there short hair. As for people doubting Ron's dogs, like Joe said you should not doubt his ability to produce bear hounds.

[cobalt]

Nobody quetioned his dogs. He questioned others dogs. His arrogance about his dogs and his hunting territory is what's in question. Wisconsin bred dogs might be the best bet for hunting the wilds of Wisconsin, but there are good dogs from just as nasty of country in many parts of the US. Would I recommend an adult dog from the SW to go to Wi., hell no, and visa versa. But there's so many hunters that think they live in the toughest country and have the best dogs on the planet and haven't got the worldly experience to make such statements. I have not been everywhere to be an expert in those decisions, but in 30 years and thousands of trees (mostly bear), I feel I'm eligible to question a person when they make such blatant negative remarks about others dogs even if their comments have credence.

[cat and bear]

Cobalt, you remind me of my ex wife, twisting shit, she doesnt get my time or thoughts and neither are you. Arrogant, your making trouble, dont got time for guys like you, what part of that, dont you get? Do i need to draw you a picture?

[cat and bear]

I live in south Al and hunt here and in Florida. We have alot of thick stuff as well. I think people have a huge misconception about dogs and their mental capacity. They are not robots. You get a dog that has been hurt, I mean mashed down, pulled under a bear, and had the helpless fealing of being at its mercy.....it is a tough thing for them to get over. Now take that same dog and get it to go bay and fight something that it cannot see because the briars are so thick. I don't like it but I have had dogs bayed, me walk in to them ,and the bear be gone. This is after they have taken some abuse and knew better than to crawl up in the bushes with them. Heck...when you walk into a bayed bear, how much better do you feel once you see where he is at. I have been close enough to a bear to hear him breathing and never see him. I have seen dogs that are use to open country run up on their first bear bay in thick woods. They piled on that dude and for about 3 or 4 minutes were getting right. After the dust settled and they figured out they could not get away from that dude, they were out looping and peeping in the bushes looking for him. Any way just my 2 cents. Find the traits in any dog that you must have and can live without. Put priorities on them and rank the priorities. Things that I might not can live with may be fine by you, and vice versa.

Sir, you have been around thick stuff and know what your talking about

[heat1]

I also think that the # of days a dog is hunted on dangerous game in a row are a big factor. I have some retired buddies that will hunt 4-6 days a week for 5 months straight. A really rough and bad dog will back out on you if you get him on enough rough hogs or bear in a row. I think dogs have a short memory. I do not have as much trouble with my dogs keeping their nerve as they do. This is the same line of dogs and often siblings. I don't hunt as much for most of the year. If my dog gets banged up he has time to recover fully before he gets on another big nasty. If you think you have one with nerves of steal these ol boys will find out for you.