define a "good" tree dog

[Old dog]

we have heard the term "good" tree dog many times and I was wondering what every ones opinion of a good tree dog is. in my humble opinion a good tree dog locats,has the game, stays, and barks enough for me to find him. don't really matter to me, how many times per minute he barks. what is you're opinion?

[al baldwin]

To me a good tree dog is one that locates and stays put until I get there, expect them to have the critter a high percentage of the time. Especially on bobcat, I have never owned one, or hunted with one owned by others that did not get and empty once in awhile. There are going to be some trees here that one cannot be certain if the tree is empty or the coverage so thick the cat is not seen. Also very important dog is not tree possessive . Nice to see a hound set back from the tree & chop steady, owned one and she is buried in the back yard. Al

[mark]

Not a fast locator but makes sure before she does this. The way i like em anyways.

[merlo_105]

I have only seen 3 dogs that I would say are good tree dogs, First one was a Dotson dog when she tree'd it was up there steady tree bark super easy going at the tree took her time to know it was right. Two dogs I hunt right now a little Bluetick and a Butch Nelson dog both I feel are good tree dogs they lock up have a easy handle at the tree they'll be there and wont leave till you tell them to. All dogs don't need to be leashed up leaving tree. All dogs bark about the same, steady.

[call-me-ish]

I like a dog that has a definite locate mouth (which once given never moves from that spot.) and has a good change over. I personally prefer the dog that trees back from the tree a little and sits while treeing. Not worried so much about barks per minute but don't want a lot of silent time. Once committed the dog needs to stay until I get there, irregardless of what is going on.

[CRA]

A good tree dog locates regardless of the tree size and holds the tree regardless of distractions. Very accurate and has the fur. Barks steady enough that I don't have to stop and listen to hear if i'm heading in the right area. Stay until I get to them.

Things I won't tolerate is, tree greeters, bark chewers, tree climbers, and digging at the tree. I also don't like tree jumpers. The ones that run and jump up high on the trunk.

I have seen tree greeters allow bears to slip out while greeting me to the tree.

I have seen bark chewers make a tree look like a beaver got after it and that takes away from barking.

Tree climbers are just plan bad and don't even need to be explained.

Digging at the tree is just a distraction from treeing, and annoying. I seen a female once that would dig so bad at the tree that she would only bark treed in the rocks.

[Varminator]

Merlo, bring that Butch Nelson dog to the Contest this winter. Your lucky to have that bloodline! Who is the sire and dam to your dog? Did you get it when it was a puppy?
Best of luck with your Blue dog to!

[merlo_105]

Varminator, Off hand I cant think of the Sire or Dam. The Nelson dog was finished, Talking with Butch now about another. If I can get someone to handle the dogs down there for the contest I would put in a dog from Tim Pittman and the little blue dog,

[mark]

Merlo, do you own the dog that came from Butch? Did you get it directly from him or someone else?

[merlo_105]

Mark, I don't own the dog I hunt her. Guy I hunt with received two directly from Butch. The dog that was to be looked at was Blaze but the little female put on a good show...

[mark]

Feisty

[merlo_105]

That's the one.

[Unreal_tk]

Snap quick locator who's accurate and trees enough for me to get there or the one after a hard race is the only dog treeing. Both are good in my opinion.

[twist]

Accurate, stay put. There is nothing else. Andy

[dhostetler]

Good Locator, stay put, & 0 false trees. Loud voice, change over, & high barks per minute are nice but if any of the first 3 are missing, the dog is far from a good tree dog in my opinion.

I have zero tolerance for false trees. A false tree dog gets culled really quick in my kennel.