tracking dogs ?

[GoatGuy]

Wow, if you want a dog that DEFINITELY won't run back at you, you had better get a Korelian bear dog oh and a trainer for it too $$$$$$. You can teach a lot of dogs to track wounded animals. If you're gonna be taking it all-purpose hunting don't get one of the goofy ass howling dogs. All they're good for is tracking and chasing bears and cats.

Depends on what you want, but many of those breeds that would be considered good bear dogs give up a lot as far as companship, ease of handling and ease of training goes. I've got a lab and she comes on all the hunting trips, tracks everything but wolves, barks ONLY when there's danger around and is a total pleasure around camp. There's a big difference between a workin' hound and a dog that gets taken out 3 or 4 weeks a year.

Oh, and good guides don't endanger their hunter's lives by taking them into trouble spots. They leave their hunter's at camp and take another guide.

[boxhitch]

"good guides leave the hunter in camp and take another guide" Well my take on that is "Bul)($&*". I feel that if the hunter had the balls to pull the trigger for the first shot, and somehow fu(*^^ed up, then he will be shoulder to shoulder with me as 'WE' go on the trail. I tell this to them outright, as I want that thought on their mind a they pull the trigger the first time. I seen where a hunter has taken a poor shot, with no regard for the dangers to follow, because "I don't have to go in There, thats your job" Bullshit.

[bone-collector]

[GoatGuy]

WOW! 8O
You don't send a child whose broken another kids legs in to fix them do you? I'd probably send a doctor, but who knows you're probably right-get that kid in there and give 'em some good experience. You broke 'em now fix 'em.

Personally, as a guide, I'd be extremely worried about getting shot by anyone who doesn't guide or isn't extremely experienced in the outdoors. 90% of the time I'd rather go in alone then with most hunters.

[bone-collector]

its ok Goat, there will always be 1 jackass with a opinion and ZERO knowledge on the subject...

[bcboy]

Most of my dogs where Blood/plott hounds..some had a little blue tick in them.. Are these good dogs to take along F$%6 NO

Aierdales are OK but they are aggressive and I cannot strees as this is not want you want for a companion dog, trackin OK. Also most dogs when scared come right back to you..DUH ya with the bear,

A lab... airedale or better yet a MUTT. teach him to come, sit ...STAY! which is more than most teach thier dogs and hey go for it.

PS... No guide who has only met me for a day or two,,,no matter what I think would use me in a dangerous situation.. And I never seen any dogs in camp, well except mine and she was a camp dog labX.There to protect my beer.!!

[bill]

yes I agree a medium size mutt with some type of terrier would fill the job and not cost u an arm and a leg.. mutts hardly ever get sick like breeds do. With a little training and time u gotta good hunting bud who likes family too.

[bone-collector]

I found the yappiest dam mutt around is the best, bears dont like the noise and usually avoid you then by a mile, and the pups I have now are just that (never shut up!) the father was St.Bernard/Rottie X and the mother a purebread black lab

[Barracuda]

depending on what you are hunting depends on the dog you want . If you want a cold nosed deep hunting dog a hound works well (better get tracking collars though)

if you want a hotter nosed dog with plenty of grit and can be used for a multitude of game, (you dont even need to bring a gun sometimes) an Airdale from hunting stock might work for you .

There are strains of GSH and Weiramers that work well on big and small game. If you want to have a dog that is a really good companion and good for hunting upland game perhaps a Spanial . I would say the most important thing is make sure , is to get the dog from working stock no matter what the breed. some folks have even had good luck with hound/ birdog crosses (still keeps cold nose or could gain nose on winding scent, easier to train and doesnt normally hunt as deep), Airdale / Hound crosses for a bit more nose and grit

I wouldnt Consider any of the spits(laika.Karilion,husky,etc) breeds for hunting period . Leave them for pulling sleds And dont beleive the Granola crunching Fad that a Karilon is good for bear . (like most spits they are good for Bear chasing ) The only people that think they are good for bear hunting dont use them for bear hunting.

and as for mutts not getting sick as often . that is a bit of a misnomer, if you do some checking with your vet you will find that they can have many more problems . dogs do not do the planned parenthood thing well so genetic screening is a moot point in a males quest to spread his seed and if a female dog presents herself he will take advantage of the oppertunity And females in heat are not exactly choosey. So you see all you need is two dogs no matter what the breed that hold a reccessive gene and it can become a dominant one.
here is a canine data base that you might find helpfull . It will at least let you have an idea as what to ask a breeder in so much as genetic defects and screening . it even lists by breed
http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/introinfo.htm

[wsm]

I see your question has brought about some different opinions. Like you i was looking for the same qualities in a dog. talk to the local RCMP se what their K9 unit thinks. I got a wolf hybrid , she ok . know some people that use blue heelers. As much as i dislike blue heelers they are quite succsesful with them.