Runnin dogs???

[mike martell]

The truth was just written in the previous post as a group of dogs or one single dog.

Quote.....Bobcat dogs are no better than their owner being able to pick and match a group of dogs and the knowledge to make it happen. A truly good cat dog will come down to the ability of its current owner in a short time.......

Here is what I think.... Not just bobcat dogs but all tree game!

Good hunting!

Mike

[Nolte]

The qualities needed in a cat dog vary depending on the terrain and location. Guys in the NW need something different than somebody in the great lakes region or east coast. Similarly the guys down south need something different as well. And to top that off, the conditions you hunt in play a part in the type of dog you'll need. It's not a one size fits all sort of deal.

We all want dogs that have ALL the qualities needed to catch whatever game we're going after. The problem is, very darn few have ALL those qualities to a high degree. Every dog has a hole or deficiency. If they don't, well you aren't being honest or looking very hard. You'll spend a fortune (and probably fail) trying to find that dog, so my advice is to pair up dogs that work together to complete getting the job done. Then when you come across one of those real special dogs, enjoy and appreciate it because they don't last long. Hunt what you've got and keep working to get better. Both as a hunter and dog owner. Believe your eyes a lot more than your ears.

[JTG]

I am just a simple guy, would you please tell me why the handler has such a big part? You do not have to teach a bird dog to point and they will naturally point a bird. Would it not, be easier to breed hounds that know what to do with little help from the handler?
How come the same dog or group of dogs, would have a problem getting the job done anywhere in any condition?
Jtg

[tman308]

Not sure if this is where he was headed but a handler can ruin a dog that has all the potential in the world.

[Flip]

I wish it was that easy sometimes

[oconee]

I don't think cat hunting will be for me guys, you have talked me out of even trying.

Thanks for all the input.

[grouse]

That is hilarious !!

[jcathunter]

I treed my first bobcat 48 years ago and hunted straight cat dogs for 35 years. I have owned and hunted with many good cat dogs most of them walker breeding. I have had a lot of dogs able to tree a bobcat, that's not hard to do. I have owned 4 or 5 top bobcat dogs, not saying the others could not get the job done on, but when you hunt with a top dog you know what can be done. Most of the dogs that were top have running dog in them. If you wait and are looking for that top dog in my book you will look for a long time. It is far easier to put together 2 to 4 or 8 dogs that can make a top pack that catches almost every bob they jump. Bobcat dogs are no better than their owner being able to pick and match a group of dogs and the knowledge to make it happen. A truly good cat dog will come down to the ability of its current owner in a short time. Every bodies yard stick as to what a good dog is is different but until you hunt with someone that catches hundreds of bobcats and seldom misses a jump your are comparing apples to oranges. I think the guys that catch that many bobs with running dogs or part just might have some tree dogs in there, running dogs that tree. Each to their own, hunt what you have the ability to hunt. Dewey

Finally, we agree on something, Dewey. One does have to hunt with top cat dogs to know top cat dogs. Fortunately, I spent a lot of hours in the woods with a man who was simply one of the best. Not "good", not "better than some" but simply one of the best. Because of this, I was able to see that I did not want to "put together 2 to 4 to 8 dogs" to get the job done. Although I'm sure its very effective, I want to reach in my dog box and pull out any single dog and I want to be surprised if they don't catch the cat.

[mark]

I don't think cat hunting will be for me guys, you have talked me out of even trying.

Thanks for all the input.

Well you just saved yourself a lot of time,money,and frustration,because if a little advice whether good or bad on the computer is all it took to break your spirit, you probably wouldn't of got far anyways.

[oconee]

I treed my first bobcat 48 years ago and hunted straight cat dogs for 35 years. I have owned and hunted with many good cat dogs most of them walker breeding. I have had a lot of dogs able to tree a bobcat, that's not hard to do. I have owned 4 or 5 top bobcat dogs, not saying the others could not get the job done on, but when you hunt with a top dog you know what can be done. Most of the dogs that were top have running dog in them. If you wait and are looking for that top dog in my book you will look for a long time. It is far easier to put together 2 to 4 or 8 dogs that can make a top pack that catches almost every bob they jump. Bobcat dogs are no better than their owner being able to pick and match a group of dogs and the knowledge to make it happen. A truly good cat dog will come down to the ability of its current owner in a short time. Every bodies yard stick as to what a good dog is is different but until you hunt with someone that catches hundreds of bobcats and seldom misses a jump your are comparing apples to oranges. I think the guys that catch that many bobs with running dogs or part just might have some tree dogs in there, running dogs that tree. Each to their own, hunt what you have the ability to hunt. Dewey

Finally, we agree on something, Dewey. One does have to hunt with top cat dogs to know top cat dogs. Fortunately, I spent a lot of hours in the woods with a man who was simply one of the best. Not "good", not "better than some" but simply one of the best. Because of this, I was able to see that I did not want to "put together 2 to 4 to 8 dogs" to get the job done. Although I'm sure its very effective, I want to reach in my dog box and pull out any single dog and I want to be surprised if they don't catch the cat.

HOLY CRAP!!!! I'm back interested guys!!! THANK YOU JCATHUNTER!!!!!
The only man that's commented on my topic with the same mentality of me!!!!
Dewey, congratulations on your lifelong pursuit of CATS if I start cat hunting I'll be in pursuit of CAT DOGS!!!! May take a lifetime but, I could care less about the quantity of game but more so, the quality of hound I unload.

[al baldwin]

Good reading. Made a cat tree today, for me I just count my blessings when I make it back to the rig. The six dogs who treed todays cat, are a team that catches some & loses some. A ten year old hound that Dewey has said cannot hunt in his pack, Still gets around like a 4 year old and has few races where a cat is caught that we don/t realize he is a big help & he does have a little running dog in him. Is he perfect, heck no. Does he have off days heck yes. Can he be bought from his present owner, heck no. My point is different dogs suit different people. We do not catch a large number of cat, the area where we hunt is limited and not a large cat population. Plus age & health limit the time spent cat hunting. This comment is not aimed at any one particular hunter, but, I have noticed that people with big egos, have a tough time admitting their dogs have off days. Good hunting to all Al

[twist]

Takes alot more than typing and talking and dreaming to catch cats alot of wisdom put forward here so listening to the ones that have been there and done you will benifit in the long hunting . Andy

[merlo_105]

JTG, A bird dog will point naturally but you as a handler have to train him or her from breaking point and so on. A hound is bred for trailing and some for trailing and treeing but you as a handler have to show what to trail and what not to trail. Some animals are tuffer like some birds are tuffer on some Pointers like a spooky grouse or a running Pheasant. Both need training and lots of exposure. Also I feel Bird dogs are bred on a more serious and thought out level thats why you dont get a dud... But thats just a opinion.

[mike martell]

I could care less about the quantity of game but more so, the quality of hound I unload.[/quote]
Pretty hard to make a quality dog without reasonable quantities of tree game and exposure......

Mike

[oconee]

LOL never though about that!!! Damn this cat hunting is gonna eat my lunch!!!