retired dogs

[cat and bear]

Bob, I respect your opinion, and I agree. Here is the difference. i dont sell 500$ or 1000$ dogs. They are trained, broke dogs. I got a half dozen guys, i just pick up the phone and most likely will be sold. They are reputable guys, have money, and for what they are paying, I know well taken care of. I screen the buyers carefully, make sure the dogs fit, and get into conversations of their handling, depth of knowledge of hunting and dogs, etc. The other thing I wont do is sell a dog to a poor houndsmen, or hot head that would beat a dog. I look at their vehicles, houses, and everything else. I dont have to sell them. I feel i go above and beyond, making the right decisons for my dogs, future, and new owner. I've stayed in touch, had much repeat business, I've never trialed a dog, my word is good, they get what they bought, and expected, I've never been asked to take a dog back, that is the way i do things.

[bob baldwin jr]

cat and bear : Kudo's to you ,That is the way it should be . Wish others took that same approach instead of putting $$$$$ in place of the first consideration .

[cat and bear]

Thanks Bob, I wish they would to, I've never looked at a dog as $$$$$ signs. They are my extended family, more then once i've had tears rolling down my face, when they left the yard. I see it as helping fellow houndmen out, by sharing good dogs, and lines, and helping them with blood, for their future, without being lied to, taken advantage of, etc. As I said, i dont want to see my dogs get old, it helps guys out, and gets them in the right direction, for their future blood, for what they are hunting, conditions, expectations etc. And I love breeding and training young dogs. It's simply working for everyone.

[plottpappaw]

i couldn't agre more with all of you. i got in to some trouble several years back and had to have a substantial amount of money quick and the day i sold my girlie girl dog i couldn't even be here. i've looked and looked for her to get her back and can't find her. been looking since 2006 even though she would be 11 now i would take her back in a heart beat. i checked out the owner and how she would be treated but it still doesn't replace her.

[hndhunter]

I'd say retire em. I'm kinda in that boat right now. My younger dog has become the lead dog and hoses the older one but they still get the job done. Shes been way to good of a friend to just through her out. By the fire!!!

[livetohunt]

I got one right now thats in the same boat he is 13-14 not really sure how old he is. I got him about 2 1/2 yrs ago to help train my younger dogs. Got him from my hunting buddy who had him for a few yrs and started and treed well over 100 bears with him. I got him and was only able to hunt him a few times but he still loves to rig and loved to coon hunt. The days and night where he feels like getting up and going hunting he goes and when he dont he stays home and keeps nice and warm. I look at it as he has earned a spot in my family and when the day comes I find him passed or he goes while hunting atleast I know how his last day were.

[George Streepy]

I just gave an 11 year old dog away. I want the best for them but I have hard time having them sit around when they want in the woods so darn bad. I also have a hard time selling a dog that old so I looked for a guy that could use her to help start tracks and was picky on where she went. Then someone gets something out of the dogs and the dogs get into the woods. As long as the dog goes to a decent person it is a win-win.

[cheat river kennels]

i usually get rid of a dog whn i see it declining. but ihve on now that if he makes it he will retire by the fire no way i could ever sell this dog off

[MKT]

We lost a 4 year old hound to coondog paralysis and a week later lost our best hound to cancer ( who was 6 years old )... you think watching your old dogs reach the end of their life is hard? Just try to watch your husband put 2 of his hunting buddies down and dig 2 holes in a week! Our line up now is a 11 year old Plott who is still rocking it pretty hard and a 2 year old english\walker cross. You better bet she has a place here till the day she dies!!

Mel