The American Beagler Forum

would you rather have a dog that can smoke a rabbit i mean really get it done and average hunt or a hard hunting dog that is so so on the track?

I will take a big footed dog anyday.

Big nose and lots of brains to circle every rabbit jumped in any kind of conditions!

i want my dogs to be able to jump and run there own rabbit they dont have to be A-1 jump dogs but they do have to hunt and they do have to pull there share of checks any dog can run behind a pack of dogs and bark like they are doing something but its the ones that work the tracks out and figuers out those tricks that the rabbit tried on them.and i do want to see my dogs up front.HARD HUNT -FAST FOOT -AND EXPLODE OUT OF THE CHECK WITH A SQUALL MOUTH is what i like...............

kbspeed wrote:Big nose and lots of brains to circle every rabbit jumped in any kind of conditions!

I agree, but will add to your list with bucket loads of desire.

That is a good question. I would prefer both, but if I had to sacrifice I would prefer a little less hunt and more track power, JMO. Good speed with control, instinct to work the check from the inside out and quickly. Brains is a term alot of guys use I prefer instinct to the use of the word brains. I have seen some really dumb hounds that were awful good rabbit dogs and coonhounds for that matter as well.

average dogs are enough for me , if they can jump and run a rabbit im fine with them , im not perfect and dont expect it from my dogs , just do this because its fun and great exercise

I will take a jump dog for sure,I can find a runner alot easier.If you ever had a really had a true jump dog you know what i mean,Ive been lucky and had 3 in my lifetime of running dogs for 40 years.Sure ive had alot of ok dogs as far as jumping and running but a true jump dog is a sight to be seen.Al

No jump = No run

Average dogs make good fertilizer. Speed kills.

bucks better beagles wrote:Average dogs make good fertilizer. Speed kills.

IMO , nothing beats a fast and hard driving pack on a track !!
If it stays above ground, it will be found !!

If it moves, we'll find it. If it breves, we'll kill it.

Bobby Vest wrote:No jump = No run

lebro wrote:would you rather have a dog that can smoke a rabbit i mean really get it done and average hunt or a hard hunting dog that is so so on the track?

I agree, and I personally would take the “hard hunting dog that is so so on the track”, between these two choices, simply because it is the hardest to find and from a breeding prospective, the easiest to adjust. Again, between these two particular choices.

But it really depends on if you are after “the kill” or after “the chase”. This has always been the debate between Gun Dogs and Trial Dogs. Both being bred for certain traits to be at a higher level than the other traits that the dog possesses, to set them over the edge in particular areas. It makes some angry when comments are made like this, I am not sure why? But the reality is, a true Trial Dog and a true Gun Dog have distinct differences between them. Neither are nor bad, wrong or better than the other, it’s just all about what you’re wanting the dog for “primarily” and then “secondary” and using a dog within its element that it was bred for, so it can shine. Most people have dogs that are decent at both, but great at neither, and hope for the best.

But if I was at a drive thru and was placing an order… I would take: 2-dogs that can smoke a rabbit i mean really get it done and average hunt… & 4-hard hunting dogs that is so so on the track.

And I believe my “6 pack” would be just fine.