Snooky, I realize this. It just seemed that your post was saying the exact same thing as mine did, but as if you disagreed with me. I just wanted to make it clear that what I said may have been misunderstood. That is, my post supported your post and visa versa, so I just wanted to make my point clear if it was, at first, unclear.

One good thing about hunting dogs is if you like what you have and it works for you to generate a good time afield, then you've got it made. I may talk up ability and drive to be what makes a dog, but really that is just what I like in a dog. Yes, that is my thoughts, that a good hunting dog should have both naturally, but I think whatever a guy likes is great for him. We can set our own standards, and if our dogs accomplish what we'd like, then we can be glad. If drfatguy likes his dogs and the way they hunt, then I guess I should not tell him what standard to hold. I know that if I invited a guy to come on a squirrel/coon hunt with my cur, and then he started telling me right there in the woods everything my dog doesn't do that he should do, I'd probobly tell him to get lost and go to his own woods with his own dog, then. So, drfatguy, if you can train a dog to hold still to scent and manage to fill your sack, then power to you and I respect that. I don't see any redheaded stepchild.