question on dog hunt style

[back40]

Excellent discussion here guys. I too am of the belief that "hunt" is genetic and not something that is trainable. I believe that about the only training we do with these hunting Beagles is Handling and Trashproofing. Generally speaking, everything else is the result of simply giving them enough opportunities in the field. Showing a hound where the rabbits hide is handling not hunt (in my opinion). If the hound had my definition of hunt, you wouldn't have to show him where the rabbits hide - he would show you. But that would be my definition.

Everyone's definition of "hunt" is a little different. I'm sure some would catagorize "hunt" and "desire" as the same thing while most realize that they are definitely two different things. Just because a hound has a lot of desire doesn't mean he has a lot of hunt. Some hounds have almost no hunt, but once a rabbit is up and running they have the desire to run it all day long. Even more people might consider "hunt" and "hunting style" as the same thing. Some hounds hunt the thick stuff while others hunt the paths and more open areas. They are both hunting but with two different styles that have little to do with the amount of hunt they have. I've owned some dogs that liked the thick stuff but didn't hunt very hard at it. I've also had some dogs who hunted the paths and open areas like a bird dog. Neither type of hound does me much good here in cottontail country. I need a dog that hunts the thick stuff AND hunts it hard.

How many times have you seen a stud dog advertised as hard hunting when you know otherwise? The reason you know otherwise is because you had seen the dog run numberous times and you wondered why the guy didn't just put a bullet in his head. I've heard about outstanding hunt and outrageous hunt, but I would suspect that if someone usually gets "outstanding" hunt in all of their young pups, then their definition of outstanding hunt is most definitely different than mine. It's not that they're wrong, it's just that we see things differently.
"Hare breed pups if trained right will have lots of hunt, because they already have the desire" I have not found this statement to be true after going through quite a few Hare bred hounds/pups and witnessing even more.

[HatterasBob]

back40,
Good post! In some fashion you are right on, but elsewhere, You are not correct, but still a good post! :-)

[gus]

"Mark Twain once said "It is better to be thought a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt!"

Bob you posted some time back that the best "Jump Dog" you ever owned was a grade bitch you hunted several years ago. You said you could never get another like her. Who trained that grade bitch? If it is the training why can't you get one her equal?

I can uderstand the comparison of LPH beagles to Race Horses but I don't see how that applies to hunting beagles. When they start racing horses without a jockey then there may be some correlation.

If you can't prove your point then we will accept we are all idiots and bow to your superior knowledge.
Have a good day.

[HatterasBob]

"Bob you posted some time back that the best "Jump Dog" you ever owned was a grade bitch you hunted several years ago. You said you could never get another like her. Who trained that grade bitch? If it is the training why can't you get one her equal?

Well gus, hunting style does not equal jump dog! Two separate traits. Jump dog is genetics not training, either you got or you don't. But you should have known that!!!!!!!!!!

If you can't prove your point then we will accept we are all idiots and bow to your superior knowledge.

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No comment! I rest my case!!!!!!
hint: gus, try proof reading!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HatterasBob]

gus, refer to the Mark Twain quote!