Arkansas Blueticks go to Auburn University
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 5:38 pm
After qualification two of my bluetick pups from Arkansas were accepted into the elite Auburn University Canine Detection Research Institute. Most of their dogs are Labradors and this is their first blueticks; they specialize in explosive detection for national defense.
A dozen instructors met and observed the pups and were impressed with how high they held their tails in a new environment with barking Labradors. Smokey and Red were put in the front kennel at the Institute’s entrance where they go outside for fresh air and inside for air conditioning. Red has a rare recessive gene with redish coloration and Smokey is the typical bluetick speckling with black and tan head.
At 16 weeks they will be sent to a penitentiary and trained by an experienced inmate, then to Arizona for desert training and back to the institute for specialty training. After a year they will be dispatched to their field of expertise which can range from military service in the Middle East to pine root fungus detection in Alabama forests.
The pup’s parents are trained to run deer and their sire Zeus, at one year of age, produced the largest native typical deer harvested in SW Arkansas in 2009 (168 B&C typical score; 12-point). Zeus stands 27 inches to his top shoulder, weighs 77 pounds, runs over 20-miles/day per GPS collar, and is unique in that he primarily runs bucks and seldom jumps trail. Zeus is also an exceptional blood trailing hound and received training at Circle J Kennels where he graduated early due to learning ability. Zeus has become a local legend and originated from Smokey River bluetick lineage at Gary Molder Kennels in Altus, Arkansas who's blueticks are primarily bred for treeing coons.
Updates will be provided every six months by the institute on the pups’ progress, training and deployment.
A dozen instructors met and observed the pups and were impressed with how high they held their tails in a new environment with barking Labradors. Smokey and Red were put in the front kennel at the Institute’s entrance where they go outside for fresh air and inside for air conditioning. Red has a rare recessive gene with redish coloration and Smokey is the typical bluetick speckling with black and tan head.
At 16 weeks they will be sent to a penitentiary and trained by an experienced inmate, then to Arizona for desert training and back to the institute for specialty training. After a year they will be dispatched to their field of expertise which can range from military service in the Middle East to pine root fungus detection in Alabama forests.
The pup’s parents are trained to run deer and their sire Zeus, at one year of age, produced the largest native typical deer harvested in SW Arkansas in 2009 (168 B&C typical score; 12-point). Zeus stands 27 inches to his top shoulder, weighs 77 pounds, runs over 20-miles/day per GPS collar, and is unique in that he primarily runs bucks and seldom jumps trail. Zeus is also an exceptional blood trailing hound and received training at Circle J Kennels where he graduated early due to learning ability. Zeus has become a local legend and originated from Smokey River bluetick lineage at Gary Molder Kennels in Altus, Arkansas who's blueticks are primarily bred for treeing coons.
Updates will be provided every six months by the institute on the pups’ progress, training and deployment.
