Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

hello everybody im new to this forum my names lucian and im 14 years old from illinois and im a huge fan of bowhunting. the only thing is that i cant stand it when i shoot a big buck, but i make a bad shot and have no way of tracking it without maybe a good tracking dog. my dad is thinking about getting me a good tracking dog after the holidays are over. i want a bloodhound and i have somewhere i can get a good discount on one. but i also want to know your oppinion on the best tracking dog that i could get for a cheap price, would train easily, and would be outstanding in the field. thanks everybody for your time and merry christmas

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

welcome to the forums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im also a 14 year old hunter but im from ohio.
any ways i have a friend that uses a lab.

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

Well that is probably a great choice for a tracking dog. However, if you're looking to find a dead deer just about any healthy dog will do.

I have an Australian Cattle Dog AKA Blue/Red heeler, Queensland heeler. It only took him one training session to figure out what I wanted him to do. After you shoot a deer, go get your dog. Even if you know where the deer is. Give the dog some commands such as "go get'em boy" or whatever else you like. Once you find the deer, praise the dog like crazy, even if you are frustrated with his performance, and he didn't really find it. He will then know what you're expecting of him.

I'm also using my dog to assist in stalking. He seems to be a natural. His breed is a mix of Highland collie and wild Australian Dingo, so hunting is in his blood. If I'm sneaking, he's sneaking. If I stop, he stops. I'm no dog trainer. He just seems to know what we're doing and seems to be getting pretty good at it.

But, I would not recommend this breed unless you've got some room for him to run and you plan on spending a lot of time with him. The don't like playing simple games such as fetch. They like to be with you, doing what you're doing, and learning. They also can be pretty aggressive and protective.

Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions,
KP

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

yeah actually the guy who owns the land where i hunt has an old blue tick named blackie and he is realy good at tracking and didnt take much training. i was thinking about a blue tick, also

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

can anyone else help me out here? i just want to know some good tracking dogs that will be very playful and easy to train.. i need to know soon what i want.
thanx

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

I also have a stalk dog.
A Basenji. They dont bark or shed or smell too bad.
small enough to keep in the house too. loves to play. Protective.
she will be at the deer before I am, and lets me know how yo get there.
TheRottweiler.Is themost loveable/protective/best "overall" performerdog I have ever seen, when trained correctly.

Beagles are real good too and very inexpensive when talking purebred.

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

A number of people are using weiner dogs. Good pets, small and don't eat a lot of feed.

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

Wire Haired Dachshunds are a very popular breed for blood tracking wounded animals.

Here, Check out: http://www.unitedbloodtrackers.org/index.php

http://www.deerrecoverypa.org/DRP%20Home.htm

http://www.thetroutbum.com/messageboardfr.htm

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

What Rob said is the best advice for a tracking dog they are the beast!

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

yeah the only thing is the dog i get has to be an outside dog.. and i would like a bigger dog.. any other good ones that are bigger?

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

Rottweiler. They will find the deer sight or smell.
Boxer. Bred for Big Game.I had one in my teenage years. Great Dog
Norwegian Elkhound. My uncle had one many years ago, he did his job well.
Scottish Deerhound
German Shepard
Irish Wolfhound

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

I have a shorthair weinerdog, Just a house dog. She's such a weeney when it comes to cold weather,... I would have had to buy her a camo coat! lol

I'll keep that in mind for my next dog though.

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

what do u guys think about a part walker/redbone/black and tan??.. it may not have black and tan in it but im not sure i know it will have a good nose though

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

ANY dog willfind a dead deer for you.
But it has been to my experience that a dog that has equal vision and hearing just simply find them quicker.
Dogs with "pure smell" traits work better at night.

Just take care of what ever dog you get and dont just leave him chained or penned in the backyard. Before you do that go buy a good tracking book and study it afield. MHO

Hope I helped. Enjoy your friend and treat him as such.

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

well im going to keep him in a pen in the backyard with an insulated doghouse.. but every day after school im going to come home, feed him, play with him, and train him for a while.. ive been looking up ways on the web to train a tracking dog.. and ive found some different ways to try. thanks baleful scout:D

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

You're welcome. :)

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

Any dog will find a freshly hit easy to find deer. When the track is 8 hours old or more, the track is faint, and the going tuff...there are dogs that fit your bill.

Look to the versatile dogs (continental breeds) like shorthairs, wirehairs, vizlas, etc. and look to dogs that have been test in blood tracking.

My female drahts mother has passed a special test for both a 20 hour old blood track and a 40 hour old blood track. At that point, it is about the dog's ability to concentrate more so than scenting ability. A dog that cannot remain calm and concentrated on track will not pass the test.

Dachsunds are good as well, but you want to look for a Dackel these are the dachsunds that are still tested in blood tracking and are registered as Dackel no Dachsund/

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

I am a firm believer in bluetics that is what I use and he does'nt leave
a leaf unturned, nothing in the bush he wont find

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

I'd advise against a Bloodhound. The nameis derived from them being a purebred dog owned by nobility (a 'blooded' hound) rather than an ability to followblood trails. They are more of a mantrailing dog than a hunting dog, and you absolutely cannot let them run loose unless they are in a fenced area. Turn one out to find a deer and if he gets on the trail of something else, you won't find him until he gets to whatever he wants or gets hit by a car. Once the head is down they are pretty much blind, and have no road sense. A Bloodhound would probably be too much dog to handle when hunting, they drag you all over and are not fond of typical obedience. They also eat a whole lot, mine goes through about 20lbs a week. Basic supplies like heartworm and flea/tick meds are more expensive due to the higher doses, and an outside dog must have these. On top of that, they hate to be by themselves and are not a good outside dog. They will howl, bay, dig, climb, jump, and generally make you and themselves miserable until they get what they want, or you get rid of them.

IMHO, no dog does best left outside the whole time, especially by itself.Hounds in particular need company,both canine and human. They are pack animals, even more so than other dogs. It takes a whole lot of self discipline to provide them with the attention they need whatever the weather, and it is a lot harder to keep an eye on their health. Not to mention the companionship a dog will give you that you might miss if it's not around the whole time.

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

I use one of my German Wirehaired Pointers. It is what they were bred for as well as hunt birds, upland and waterfowl. They are also a fur hunter. The German Wirehaired Pointer is one of many versatile dog breeds that are used for any of the uses that I named and then some. Do a Google for Versatile Gun Dog and you will be busy for quite some time. I
I love hounds but the baying prevents me from having any.
GOOD LUCK
WYOWIRES

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

Hey Lucian, I've been in the tracking business for 6 seasons now. Its what I do. First and foremost I would advise you to read John Jeanney's latest editon on tracking dogs and their training. You can find one by doing a google search in his name. Also, join UBT (united bloodtrackers). We have a great site and there's lots of helpful folks there. I happen to own a Bavarian Mountain Hound which I imported from Poland as my #1 dog. I also use a mixed breed and she's probably more lab than anything. For your purposes you don't need a specialty dog like my Vars. As a short list and for someone that wants a "bigger dog" that's cheap. I'd have to look at the local pound for one and I'd be looking for a hound/pointer or hound/lab mix. Unfortunately there's lots of em out there. As the previous post addressed (and this is from someone that owns one) a Bloodhound is not what you need. If you decide you want a pure breed I'd have to look hard at the Drathaar, any of the pointers andretrievers but my number one choice in your situation would be a Black Mouth curr. I would say that 99% of those of us that do this "professionally" keep our dogs in the house. There's a special bond that's developed and needed when working with a tracking dog and its hard to develop this bond when your companion and buddy is kept outside. I know a little about the laws in Illinois as far as tracking goes because that's where I work and track from late Oct. til the end of second shotgun season. You will have to work your dog on a leash.As you know it gets cold in Illinois so take special care tobuild yourbuddy a safe and warm pen.It sounds to me like you will be responsible for him somake sure your up to the task. Dogs require attention, time and dedication. Feel free to PM or email me with any questions. I'll help you with any questions you have.

Dan

RE: Tracking dogs. whats the best?
 

I love my bloodhound. The only thing with him though is that he is hard headed when it comes to training.