Color of dog and endurance

[blackpaws]

i like the medium built dog. color doesn't seem to matter. it always seems that the bigger barrel chested dogs get tired faster on those hot days.

[cat and bear]

i like the medium built dog. color doesn't seem to matter. it always seems that the bigger barrel chested dogs get tired faster on those hot days.

X 2, I wont own a big chested dog, heavy front legs, lean and mean, works for me. better arrow dynamic's, less wind resistance

[ChasinTail]

This is an interesting question, and one that I find hard to answer. This is my opinion... each dog is different, regardless of color. For example... If I have a pack of 10 dogs and every dog goes on every hunt, they should theoretically be in the same condition, or very close to it. However... we have a redbone that is a VERY busy hunter, and from the time she gets out of the box to the time she gets to the tree she is going "a mile a minute"....so on the ride back to the truck she at times drags behind... do I think she has less endurance than the other dogs? NOPE! I believe each dog's hunting style has an effect on perceived "endurance". Hunting muleback I find it very hard to classify one dog or breed of dog as having more or less endurance than the others. (assuming conditioning to be equal).

I think another angle of this question could be... Does hunting style effect longevity? How long is my busy hunter going to last as opposed to my conservative hunter? Guys on here that have 10-13 year old dogs, were they busy hunters? Were they busy as pups and slowed down? Just a thought....don't mean to hijack the thread...

good hunting!
Tyler

[pegleg]

that longevity question is interesting. I have been in the middle of it for awhile right now i've been coasting on a pack i made in a three year period and they're slowing down some. but they aren't showing their age in order of years. I have one female that has been a hundred mile a minute dog from puppy hood she won't take a day off period you can hunt her for weeks every day and when you put them up shes in the tree digging over here harassing someone chasing mice and back in the tree. she sleeps but only on a chain or late at night. I don't have a clue where her energy comes from. you would think she'd break down and age the fastest. the opposite is true seems to be in the best shape even of some younger then her. by the way she's high tan colored. on the other hand I have some mostly white colored hounds that where extremely fast and had decent endurance but didn't swing back and forth as much mostly fifty yards either side of the horse until a track was struck. they have aged the most, have more tendon problems and are the youngest of the bunch. I guess genetics play a big role in it as well. look at the akc's ranking of life expectancies for different purebreds not necessarily from small to large body size. I personally think it sucks a hound is really going strong for a few years right before they start going down.

[houndnem]

My experiance with this is that size is the factor. we bred small and smaller and smaller until we got some teacup hounds. smaller than beagles. they will go in the heat when my big bluetics lay down under a tree these 20 lb walkers will go for two more days. also if you google hound dogs, you can look up the history of each breed of dog. walkers were bred to hunt desert conditions. black dogs gona over heat in 80 degree plus weather, seen it a thousand times.

[Big Mike]

I think we all agree size is a big factor in endurance and in longevity.

Ive olny had two walkers and they were both very good lion dogs and did well in hot conditions but I cant say they lasted any longer than my other dogs. It was noticable however that they didnt like the cold, and would have feet problems. But they hunted just fine in the cold until their feet gave out.

All my dogs are condition the same, yet some last longer than the others. IMO is more a product of their drive than color. Ive had dark blue ticks that would be huntn in front even after long days of trailing.

Ive been noticing guys who hunt in simalar fashion and temp as i do, walker lookn and redtick seem to be a pretty dominant color. Maybe just a preferance?

With all conditioning and other things remaining equal, anybody else notice a color of dog or a breed handling the heat better than others????

[Mike Leonard]

I don't think color has much to do with endurance but build certainly does and don't forget hair thickness and texture. Sourdough's hi-tans are slick haired and dogs like my Jiggs dog with Jeff Allen stock on him have that thicker hair. Sourdoughes dogs will keep on going while Jiggs is hunting shade.

THE CANINE ENDURANCE CHAMPION: wonder who that is? It's not the husky or the malamute or even the crossbred sled dogs of the racing teams. Nope those dogs have trmendous capapcity and endurance when fed, and conditioned properly but they still do not have the bottom or the resilence that this canine has. Nope it's not the coyote but that is a good guess, and he no doubt is the survival champion. Nope it is the northern timber wolf. Here is an animal that can travel at high speeds for miles on an empty stomach while trailing the track of a migrating band of caribou. He may run across frozen tundra for dozens of miles before ever hitting hot scent and then the chase is on and he must put on tremendous bursts of speed and take down the quarry. He is not fed nor given suppliments he hunts his, he sleep outside for the most part and he can't wear boots for the brittle ice his feet have to hold up or he will strave and become wolf feed for healthier wolves. Notice how the timber wold is built. He has a tremendous deep chest but he is narrow in front, his feet are not the little cat paw show dog type they are long asnd deeply padded to absorb shock and give traction and stability on icey surfaces. Not only do these wolves show tremendous resilance and endurance but their cousin even in warmer climates in times past even tropical were the supreme canine. Can great big old wolves get around in the rocks? Can they handle the deep snows? Can they take the heat of the Mexican desert? Somthing to think about.


http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mamm ... tcited.htm

[ChasinTail]

Another factor that I think plays an important role in a dog's endurance as well as longevity is NUTRITION. This, I believe, has to do with not only WHAT they eat, but WHEN, and HOW MUCH. Giving them the fuel to burn is very important. I know that there are fat supplements that some guys use...any opinions on supplements that are proven would be interesting to hear about.

Happy Hunting!

Tyler

[Mike Leonard]

Tyler,

I certainly agree on proper nutrition, all things being equal proper nutrition and proper excercize are the two things that can swing the balances.

I remember what you told me on the redbone I was wondering how Hondo responded to that feed?He was pretty hard to get a slick on him. Ofcourse I know you have been running him hard but just in general did it help him?

[klamathcathunter]

I SEE THIER IS LOTS OF CONFLICTS ON THIS TOPIC. SO HERE IS MY 2 CENTS.I LOOK AT DOGS LIKE MARATHON RUNNERS, NEVER SEEN A FAT ONE YET. WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO COMPARE ENDURANCE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A WIN/WIN FOR BOTH SIDES.FOR EXAMPLE YOU TAKE MY DOGS, 2 WALKERS 2BLUETICKS AND A PLOTT. I FEED A HIGH QUALITY DOG FOOD VOID OF FILLERS( CORN MEAL ). IF I AM WORKING OUT I EAT 5 TIMES A DAY (SMALL PORTIONS NOT MEALS) IT ALLOWS MY BODY TO GET WHAT IT NEEDS CARBS,PROTIEN AND EVERYTHING ELSE. ANIMALS ARE NO DIFFRENT,THE ENGINE WILL ONLY RUN WITH GAS IN THE TANK.DOG,HORSES GOATS(LMAO) WHATEVER WILL ONLY PERFORM AT THERE PEAK IF THEY HAVE THE PROPER DIET, AND EXERCISE. AS FOR COLOR OF DOG BEING AFFECTED BY HEAT. I FEEL A DOG THAT HAS THIS PROPER BALANCE OF NUTRITION AND EXERCISE THEY WILL ALL BE COMPARABLE. IF YOU WANT YOUR DOGS TO HUNT IN THE HEAT, CONDITION THEM TO IT. SAME WITH THE COLD. I EXERCISE MY DOGS AT LEAST 3TIMES A WEEK FOR ATLEAST 5-10 MILES. I HAVE NEVER SEEN MY BLACK/WHITE/OR BLUE DOGS OUT DO EACH OTHER.I THINK SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE THINKING BECAUSSE A DOG THATS BEHIND IS AFFECTED BY HEAT. BUT WALKERS WILL OUT BLUE/OR BLACK DOGS THIS DOES NOT MEAN THESE DOGS ARE AFFECTED BY THE HEAT MORE THEN OTHER. JUST MY 2 CENTS NOT WORTH MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

[ChasinTail]

I remember what you told me on the redbone I was wondering how Hondo responded to that feed?He was pretty hard to get a slick on him. Ofcourse I know you have been running him hard but just in general did it help him?

Mike, Hondo is easily 4-6lbs lighter than he was when I picked him up. As far as keeping weight on him, we stopped worrying about how he looked, instead we just kept a good eye on how he was acting. We had to worm him right when he got here, mostly as a preventative. Hondo is very muscular, his ribs and hips show a little, but his muscle tone and energy are excellent. Some people might look at him and say he looks malnurished, but I can assure you he is probably in the best shape he's ever been in...His feet have improved dramatically. What are your plans for him?

[sourdough]

Mike,

Thanks for your help in describing my hounds as they are not those 70-100 lbs black and tans that were probably pictured in every ones mind. They are small 40-55 lbs rock hard Athletes with fine hair and more hi-tan in color. I still contend that color has little to do with endurance when it comes to hunting in the heat. It sounds like the WI guys like a little taller hound where they hunt not based on anything other than the conditions they hunt in, as the type of hound they describe are what they get the best performance out of in that part of the country. So to me, it’s comparing apples to apples they come in many colors but when you bite into one it’s just that, an apple. Big mike hunts in the south west and has had luck with some blue dogs. In fact if you were to look at some old photographs of the lee’s or Ben Lilly for that matter I don’t think you would find many all white hounds in their packs. A lot of that was probably due to the fact the walker breed was still considered a running dog and bred for just that. Performance bred hounds, bred for every day use was what these men bred for. They had to have tough, rugged dogs with rock hard feet as these hunters didn’t have the luxury of driving around the hills looking for a track to run, they started off, from a base camp or ranch on foot or horse back. These dogs were just that dogs and they kept several packs as well as several sets of horses, they couldn’t get by any better with 4-6 hounds, hunting every day, than we can today. The only way to find out what your hounds can handle is by testing them through conditioning and hunting winter, spring, summer, and fall but always with the knowledge that they are just hounds. Each and everyone having their own limits.

sourdough

[sourdough]

I remember what you told me on the redbone I was wondering how Hondo responded to that feed?He was pretty hard to get a slick on him. Ofcourse I know you have been running him hard but just in general did it help him?

Mike, Hondo is easily 4-6lbs lighter than he was when I picked him up. As far as keeping weight on him, we stopped worrying about how he looked, instead we just kept a good eye on how he was acting. We had to worm him right when he got here, mostly as a preventative. Hondo is very muscular, his ribs and hips show a little, but his muscle tone and energy are excellent. Some people might look at him and say he looks malnurished, but I can assure you he is probably in the best shape he's ever been in...His feet have improved dramatically. What are your plans for him?

Well I can think of one thing he can do with Hondo. You know there is only 268 days 28 min 56 sec as of right this second until Christmas but who counting. Mike I will PM you with My address

sourdough

[Mike Leonard]

Sourdough,

I really have considered that and I think I am going to do you one better. Rather than send skinny old Hondo over there I will just go get him here before long cuz I am in terrible need of some Arizona sunshine as it is snowing like a bitch here again today. And i will just bring him back here and let him try the tasts of the little cactus around here for awhile, but. I have a 4 year old Nance walker that I am going to send you, fact is I may bring him to you. He is out of Topper Again and has a huge bawl mouth way better mouth than Hondo. He has a good cold nose, and he is a tree dog out of this world. But the best part of him is you will never again need you alarm clock. Nope just throw it out and forget setting it. when the first rooster crows in the morning this dog is all business. He is up and ready to get you in the swing of things for another exciting day. YYYYOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW! Means, Time to wake up! YOOOW YOOOW YOW! means get your ass dressed quick and get out here! WWWAAAAAAAHHHHOOOOOOO! Means there he is everybody greet him! RRRRROOOOOAAAAARRRR! Means all your neighbors are up greeting a new day and thinking about you.


Send me your address again so I can get on Google Maps and get driving directions. LOL!

[sourdough]

Mike,

After reading your post I went to town to the hardware store and bought myself the best set of hearing protection they had. I live with my girl friend on her parents ranch and they are both very hard of hearing as well as my only neighbors. I e-mailed you the map quest directions to my place. Not sure what your feeding him so if you could bring a pallet of the dog chow with you as I wouldn't want him to get off his feed during the change over that would be great! It sounds like you are getting more than enough of this global warming but then again it's only April 1 you still have May and June.

sourdough