Lead dog male or female?

[hndhunter]

A buddy of mine seems to think that mostly lead dogs tend to be males. What's your thoughts?

[driftwood blue]

Most of those can be accounted for by the fact that there is a lot of true hunters that will not fool with a female long enough to see her full potential. I have seen some very sharp females that could very well be a "lead dog" Hunting one now that belongs to a good friend of mine that has that potential..I told him yesterday that he should never consider getting rid of her. she is doing everything right.
--- one mark against the female is the time out about twice a year.
so most of those hard core hunters just do not give them a chance.

[Jeff Eberle]

I know guy that will only hunt females , The best lead dogs I've own to date have been females. Also know a few guys with females in their pack that are top dogs.

[mark]

Could someone please define "lead dog" for me?

[pegleg]

The best hound I've owned has been female. Probably the top three. If the heat cycle concerns you how about pissing on every Bush ? And where do spayed or neutered dogs fallin this line up? I typically run two packs and I honestly don't feel the sex of the pack has a impact on success. I will say that young makes are more likely to get in trouble given a chance. Females do something get scolded and normally quit. However some of the most persistent trash runners I've ever seem where female. Just less likely in the over all scheme. Given a thousand other hounds maybe different patterns would emerge.

[Kyle D7]

I think it is a personal preference and what suits your personality. I personally prefer hunting female dogs myself.

[david]

[david]

This is not from me, but I thought it sounded logical and so will pass it on.

I was fishing one day in North Dakota and met a man there who bred cow dogs and horses. This was his observation.

He said it doesn't matter if it is dogs, horses or humans; females give 100% when they are feeling good. And intact males are always giving 110%.

Maybe a topic for discussion.

[Bon Plott]

Jeff and Pegleg are dead on, real nice complete females seem to come around more often. That being said I like to see hard driving males tearing it up. During heat, I to split them up, same results.
Marks, I expect every dog put in to contribute although I have game specific hounds and multiple game so if I want to tree a bear I start the track with the dog I think will do that the best thus lead dog even though the coyote/bear dog maybe the better overall hunter. Not all my hound are aces and may stick around a season or two longer than they should, this also makes it important to have lead dogs
I don't believe male or female is a preference unless your buying. Raising and starting pups is a crap shoot, take what you get.

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[1bludawg]

I've had both and seen both.I prefer a male but i love a female when it comes time to raise a pup.I must admit i'm happy with which ever sex i get ,as long as it can tree bobs .

[twist]

Anyone who claims one or the other is best is very narrow minded. Andy

[hndhunter]

I really appreciate all the input you guys.

[dhostetler]

The buddy hndhunter is referring to is me. In my conversation with him I meant all time best dog versus lead dog. In my opinion if you talk with various hound hunters most that have hunted for a number of years the best dog they ever owned was a male. I think females are quicker and easier to train but I still like males better, no heat cycle better longevity etc. Though I prefer males, currently my best dog is a female and she has held that position for a couple of years but she is about to be dethroned.

My all time best dog was a male.

[Nicole Stark]

dhostetler: What do you attribute the better longevity to?

[dhostetler]

Nicole: females are more susceptible to cancer. I also think females start going downhill quicker with age and are more likely to become more bitchy with age. That may just be my personal experience and not the standard. I have had males still catching there own big game at age 12 & 13. Never had that with a female.