Newbie needs help

[bearhounder]

I've been on a few hunts with dogs and it's truly addicting so I'm thinking about getting some of my own. I still have a million questions to get answered but needless to say I'm excited. First off I need some advice on a breed,I have a family and also chickens. In researching the plot hounds come up a lot as great bear dogs but I'd also like to run bobcat/and or coyote in the winter. Is this possible with plotts? If not would there be a better breed to choose? How difficult is it to train dogs on running more than one species of animal? What should be a minimum number of dogs one should run bear with? I was thinking about getting one finished dog and 2 others that are started and see how that goes? Also I'm from Maine so any advice on breeders/trainers in my area would be great.

Thanks in advance.

[pegleg]

Well a finished hound that doesn't kill chickens might be what you ask for. I'm not sure how many guys know for sure their dogs won't. You will have to kennel any hounds you get but they can be taught not to kill chickens easier then chickens can be taught to leave dog food alone. Go find Maine's hound group and make some contacts. Go with them when you can then decide about dogs.

[justahunter]

Matt Ryan lives in Maine and has ursus line of plotts you can find him on plottworld.com . you will have to become a member to get on site .