start with the breed of dog you like the looks of,afterall you gotta look at it in the pen.then go from there,check out the ukc forums and look for a reputable breeder in your area or if you dont mind haveing one shipped across country look for a good breeder anywhere.i can tell ya if your looking for a broke dog its gonna cost ya.

i second mt. curs

I think it's Bryant1 there also. I don't go over there as much as I use to, but I like to keep up with the competition nite hunts:)

There are great dogs and culls in every breed. Take the one that looks best to you and then wear out 2-3 pair of boots and you will have a good dog.
I would choose one of the better cur breeds for the type of hunting you seem prepared to do.
If listening to the race is important, by all means stay with a hound. If killing is #1, then a cur or silent hound might have the edge.

Well I have found a 4 month old Bluetick that I have reserved till after Christmas. It is UKC'd, has shots, and I am buying it for $150. I am looking forward to getting it. Thank you guys for all the advice.

what bllodline is it?you just joy hunting or you doing competition to?

I dont know the bloodline yet, I havent even seen them yet, bad buyin choice I know but whats it really matter when their registered and all that stuff. I just plan on joy huntin for now but might look in to some competition hunting.

what state they out of...and i like your idea of joy hunting to start wanta make sure they know what they are doing before you spend money on the hunt huh

They are out of here in Ky, southern part. They are my cousins, buddies, uncles pups. Yeah, and I dont want him to be the worst dog out there and embarrass my self.

get a bluetick out of jet 8 he has won everything in ukc except the world and his pups are tearing up the hunts the pups r 3 way registered ukc,akc,pkc and super staked they start early like a 4 month old running and treeing and a nine monrth old winning hunts this is the best hound i have ever been in the woods with and i have traveled the circuit extensively. the owner of 8 is john teeters he is a fair buisness man and 8 can be found in the blue book or bloodlines if your really interested then i will give you his number but forget the squirrel part most good hounds are over nosed for them that is more of a cur thing. im an english hunter myself and im harping on a blue dog so take my word this hound is the winningest hound in ukc history call them and ask jet 8 gets it done.