With out a doubt....the american blackmouth cur. They are now a ukc breed, and is the smartest and easiest dogs to train in my opinion, and i currently also have a beagle/basset, walker coon hound and a feist. In the past ive owned sheps and labs. My dog will hunt close to bust pheasants and rabbits, tree squirrel in the day, coon at night as well or better that my hound, and hunt, catch, and bay hogs. They love kids and women, and are very protective of them and your house.