i;m new here, have;nt meet everyone yet. but i have been raiseing and hunting hog dogs along time. yes you can occasionaly get a mutt or pound dog to run or chase a hog. but your success rate will be much higher whenpups come from proven parents. there are many breeds that can and will make great dogs, you just have to figure out what you like. we have been hunting kemmer curs and salty dog catahoulas for years with great success.not all my dogs make it to the brood pens, some don;t even make it period..at 8 to 10 weeks old all you can do is look for health,each pup will develope there own personnality. thats one reason i don;t make my picks until they are 5 to 10 months old. i;m not in the business to sell dogs, i hunt hogs, just my 2 cents. good luck hope this helps