Hunting & Fishing Hog dogs?

[SFree]

Been researching and looking for different types of dogs for hogs. Black mouth curs, Catahoulas to trail and bay with Am Bulls to lock on or catch? Curs do both as do Leopards? Sure there are some of you that have a vast amount of experiance with dogs on hogs and know what combo's work. Have trends from big bad dogs gone more to a smaller, hard dog with more stamina? Do crosses of these dogs produce a better dog. Austraila and New Zeland seem to use different types than what we use here. What works for you??

 

[floridaboy6802]

Re: Hog dogs?

I use curs and blue ticks for bay dogs. The blue tick will suprise you they are big,strong and verry smart. The bulldogs are the basic catch dogs but the blur ticks will also catch. If you have never hunted with dogs go with someone first. Ive made 3 ER trips and 31 stiches in the last 12 years of hunting with dogs so be carful.....

 

[SFree]

Re: Hog dogs?

FB,
Thanks for your info. I'm in SW MO and will try to find someone willing to let a greenhand tag along. Got several places that are good for hogs.
I've got a working buddy that has a Mountain Cur/Ridgeback cross that he wants to give me (9 wks old). If the pup's game then I may have a decent start.

 

[Bryan27]

Re: Hog dogs?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SFree</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Been researching and looking for different types of dogs for hogs. Black mouth curs, Catahoulas to trail and bay with Am Bulls to lock on or catch? Curs do both as do Leopards? Sure there are some of you that have a vast amount of experiance with dogs on hogs and know what combo's work. Have trends from big bad dogs gone more to a smaller, hard dog with more stamina? Do crosses of these dogs produce a better dog. Austraila and New Zeland seem to use different types than what we use here. What works for you?? </div></div>

That sounds about right. Be careful with the AB you chose, you will find that you don't want a 120lb catch dog. I'd take a 50lb pit against controling a 200lb boar over a 120lb AB controling a 100 lb boar and the pit would be less likely to get cut. Shorter dogs like a pit or an old style AB are able to put a lot of down pressure on a hog that bigger dogs can't do, their position also keeps them out of the way of the teeth more than the bigger dogs. A good AB is every bit as capable as a good pit, but you don't want one of these english mastiff looking imitation of what an AB should be. Finding a good pit would be easier due to them being much more common, but if you can find an AB that fits the description then I'd jump on it. Most any of the bay dogs you mentioned would do fine for hogs. Friends of mine that are serious about it trend towards the smaller dogs that are quick on their feet, easier to care for and cheaper to feed than bigger hounds. There's not much cold trailing involved in hog hunting so you don't need a cold nosed hound to be successful, you probably wouldn't want to follow a hog that long anyway. If you can find someone in your area that hunts the way you want to hunt, they would be able to tell you what dogs work best for that area....otherwise it's going to be a lot of trial and error.

 

[cbrokes1]

Re: Hog dogs?

It comes down to what type of hunting and how much land you have to hunt when deciding what kind of dogs to go with. I hunt all over GA and SC, where swamps are very previelent, there are some areas that are fairly open with thick woods between fields but I need a dog that can lock down a big hog as soon as he jumps them. Bay dogs can run hogs for miles before stopping them, or they can lock em down as soon as they jump them. While it is a lot of fun hunting with bay and catch dogs, keep in mind you have to lead your catch dog around if you aren't hunting from a 4 wheeler. That being said, I personally use running catch dogs. They are usually 1/4 pit, 1/4 AB, then any combination of 1/4 lab/chesapeake bay and 1/4 bird dog/pointer. These dogs have a great nose on hot trails and the endurance to run all day , with the grit and strength needed to stop a big boar as soon as they jump him. What this leads to is more hogs caught closer to you and less tracking. Most of my dogs weigh from 40-60 lbs and are reasonable to feed. Keep in mind, with this kind of hunting does run a higher risk of having a dog cut (although if you intend to hog hunt its part of the hunt). I have hunted behind curs, catahoulas, walker/plotts and they can all do the job, it simply comes down to preference. After hunting with running catch dogs, it would be hard for me to go back to using bay and catch dogs. As far as hunting goes, the best thing you could do would be to find some guys that have been doing it for years and get involved, see if you like it enough to buy a dog and go from there. A hog dog is a big investment so you should be sure that you want to take one on before you committ to buying one. That is my .02 cents and I know there are boys out there shaking their head saying bay and catch dogs are the way to go, but for the type of terrain and area I use what has worked best for me.

Chad

 

[Nuttshooter]

Re: Hog dogs?

Check out his site.

http://www.hardcorehogdogs.com/Cut_Gear.html

 

[SFree]

Re: Hog dogs?

Thanks guys!
Ozarks hills and hollers with some pretty rugged terrain in areas. Figured I'd be looking for dogs with good legs and stamina. Jagdterriers looked interesting, but any of the lghter faster types would be an advantage to the dog.
Friend wants to give me a puppy he's got, Ridgeback/Mountain Cur cross. I'll probabaly get him and see how he trails and trees, just for starters...

 

[rc-junky007]

Re: Hog dogs?

we currently run a jagd on hogs they are a great little hog dog.

 

[dntfxr]

Re: Hog dogs?

Jagdterrier- great nose, tough as nails, can hog hunt for 8+ years, and won't cut nearly as bad as the larger curs. Pit for a catchdog.