Liontracker's Gascon Saintongeois

[liontracker]

These pups just turned 5 months old. I had them out the other day and they looked pretty gamey. Over on one corner of my property there is an opening in the oak brush that a bobcat had walked through. This track was made the day after the last snow and was 5 days old. The track was on top and didn't break through. It was melted out bad and almost the size of a Lion track by then. I thought what the heck, lets just see something. So I walked them across it at a right angle to it. To my surprise they took it and started down it. They were even going the right direction! I just stood there and watched them work and in a few seconds they had trailed out of my sight. Rather than say anything I followed along to watch. After a few minutes I still hadn't seen them and they were moving out faster. I am surrounded by private land and they were heading for a couple of roads. Now I was worried about them getting hit by a car, so I ran after them as fast as I could. It took me a half a mile or so to catch up to them and when I did, they were under a juniper tree where the cat had layed up for a while. They were scenting all the lower branches, the trunk and all the rabbit tracks trying to sort things out. They never opened, but I wouldn't expect them to at that age on such an old track. I gathered them up and headed back home. The whole way, all I could think about was the possibilities come March, when they are old enough to hunt for real! I have my own thoughts, but what do you guys think?

[African]

Very nice to hear Tim.

The litter mates of your 2 females, which I kept, are open on the track now.
I put a long leash on Charlemagne and restrict him moving the track at speed to keep the pace at one which the pups can manage.This affords them the most interactive experience and teaches them not to drift or just play follow the leader.We do it early mornings so the scent is still fresh, and then evenings allow them to cast alone.If we have a good run in the morning, we go back to the same spot in the evening and allow them to re-experience the fun, thereby fixing the experience in their memories and giving them a marker for scent ageing.
Charlemange has a enormous voice and when he opens, I do too.Coupled with the immense genetic drive they store and the confirmation from the pack leaders, the pups can't resist talking too.

I will post some pictures in the next few days.How about you?
Gav.

[liontracker]

We have some more bad weather coming our way. If the snow doesn't slow down, all our Lions will be in Mike Leonards' backyard! When it clears, I will post pics of them. You will be amazed at how big they are getting! How is the Lion scent holding out? Let me know when you need more.

[African]

Some pictures Tim:
Charlemagne & vickie

Diesel

Donnatien

Dustin

All 3

[liontracker]

Excellent! It looks alot like this!

[liontracker]

I tried to get pics last night but it got dark too fast on me. I measured one of the males though and he is 25 inches tall and has 26 inch ears. He is a real specimen!

[Brady Davis]

liontracker....we gotta see some pics...sound like real neat hounds!

[liontracker]

I've been in Kauaii. Will post new pics soon.

[liontracker]

Here's the pics I promissed - 7 months old.

[liontracker]

Three more:

[liontracker]

Last Three:

[tramp]

beautiful .

[Brady Davis]

Really nice looking dogs there. I'm impressed.

[liontracker]

I took the pups out looking for a track to run the other day with two older Camerons. The conditions were warm with patch snow, mud and powder. All we found was a two day old bobcat track. I sent the two Camerons on it and they opened and started to move it along. The GS pups immediately fell in and started to work it out. My God! What voices! I knew we wouldn't catch it that day so I just found a high vantage point and watched and listened. The GS pups swarm a track and pack up and work together very well. They all 4 have very cold noses and seem to be relentless on a track. I had to go get the last one and pull him off. Their persistance is outstanding.

[Majestic Tree Hound]

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