tough feet!

[sourdough]

To keep from getting off topic and thieving Mr. Mike L, post, "what size and build do you most prefer for your big game dogs."

The number one theme other than size and build was foot toughness.

The old timers, bounty, state big game hunter, and those that hunted hounds for a living did not go to the UKC to find a hound that would do the job they needed to get done, because it did not exist. So they bred what they had and out crossed to those professionals that hunted the same game. Along with nose, desire, mental and physical toughness, they bred for sound feet.

Throughout my life, I have truly been blessed to have had the opportunity to own and hunt with hounds that have 100 + yrs of professional big game breeding behind them. I am a third generation houndsman, so hounds have always been a part of my life.

Poser said in the above topic, "Tough dogs come from tough hunters," and I agree. Then the question is,"what is a tough hunter?" Is it someone that hunts weekends and holidays because of his or her day job? A guide who hunts season long? A government hunter that handles depredation calls? Do you turn out on tracks that YOU found, free cast afoot? Hunt horse back? Road to find a track? Box your hounds? How many days can you get out of your dogs?

I have hunted a number of hounds and found that those old school guys had something special going on in their breeding program, above all else! That was day in and day out soundness. Those animals provided their income, and having to feed large packs of hounds was not an option. I am not saying that they didn't rotate dogs because they did.

What is your definition of sound feet?

sourdough