Catch Dogs

Moonshiner · Post by **Moonshiner** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:33 pm

What do ya'll recommend using for a good catch dog? More specifically, whats been a solid breed?
Thanks

broncobilly · Post by **broncobilly** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:23 pm

Pits and pit X's are probably most common. I personally prefer a dogo.

Bill

Moonshiner · Post by **Moonshiner** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:41 pm

How much do the Dogo's usually go for? What are the temperments on them?
How do the Pits/pit x's and dogos respond to the e-collars? Does it piss them off or do they obey like a hound would?
What type of pits do ya'll prefer? the longer legged ones or the short and stout ones?
Whats a good pack size for hunting boar?
We dont have much in oregon, but since we cant legally hunt bear and lion, and our seasons for Bob and coon start in winter, Im looking for something else to hunt that'll be a challenge.

nightowl24 · Post by **nightowl24** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:12 pm

i've seen dogo's range from 300 to 1500. dogo's are like everyother breed of dog. there is good and there is bad. some have real good temperments others have bad ones...

the type of pits depends on your area. if you are in more open areas i think the longer legged ones will be better for you, if you are in heavy brush a shorter one would be better for you.

why would you need an e-collar?

pack size depends on the type of hogs your are going after. if your hogs run when they feel pressure then you would probally need a smaller pack or a bunch of loose baying dogs. if your hogs stand and fight a good bit the you would probally need a bigger pack so they can win that fight.

Moonshiner · Post by **Moonshiner** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:43 pm

Thanks, as far as the e-collar, it worked great on my hound, so everyother dog i get is goin to be trained with one, lol.
Well we have a definit mix of pits, some long some short and bullish, where i usually hunt is pretty brushy but where the hogs are at is open from what i member.
I'll let ya know what the hogs do when i get some time to go and find out. Do ya usually let the catch dog finish the boar off or do ya finish the pig off with bullet or knife? Not sure how aggressive your dogos are.
Thanks

broncobilly · Post by **broncobilly** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:45 pm

You keep the catch dog on a lead untill the bay dogs have the hog bayed, then you walk the catch dog up close and turn him loose. You follow him in and either stick the hog with a knife, or tie him up. You might get away with letting your catch dog kill the hog a few times, but the first time you get on a really bad hog he is going to kill your catch dog if you are using only one catch dog and if you leave him on by himself very long. Personally, I always carry a back up pistol, because there are a few hogs in the world that will cut your catch dog down before he gets caught. If you are following him in on one of those hogs, then things get a little interesting

If you have never seen a hog caught with a catch dog, then I would reccommend you taking a trip to somewhere that you can go with someone and see how it is done. Believe it or not, there is a wrong way to catch a hog, and on some hogs, you are only allowed one mistake.

If you are planning to shoot the hogs, then don't even bother with a catch dog, just ease up to the bay and shoot the hog.

Bill

12-GAUGE · Post by **12-GAUGE** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:55 am

Bill,

Very good advise. Moonshiner, listen to him. He is right on the money.

12-Gauge

Pops · Post by **Pops** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:18 pm

e-collars are generally wasted on good bulldogs as their pain tolerance is so high they may not be bothered by them. my last dog didn't even show any sign it affected him until on full power. he never made a sound and never stopped the barking & digging i was trying to get him to quit.

longshot · Post by **longshot** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:39 pm

Bronco has the best advise anyone could give here, reread his post.

You dont need a e-collar for a bulldog! Keep him on a lead until you see the hog. Your bay dogs will do all the tricky work a bulldog only needs to catch and hold the hog. They dont need brains......LOL Dont take no trash of the bulldog, keep him in line and dont ever let him start fighting.
If this is your first catchdog I would reccomend a pit because they are the easiest and cheapest to get and also easiest to start and train.

The longer the legs and better breathing capability the better IMO. Short stalky works too but I like them to keep their legs on the ground when holding a tall hog. The shape is not as important as the way they hold. When I look at a catchdog I want to see them him once and grab the first time and then clamp on and hold without regripping, nawing, headshaking or anyother funky business that can get someone hurt.

BroncoBilly is also right with the bayNshoot method. Less dogs is better and NO catchdog is needed.

Take the trip and go on a few hunts and watch it before you dive in.

I like to hunt with 3 baydogs and 1 or 2 catchdogs and I stick everything I catch but tie a few. Most people in East and Norhtexas tie them and take them to buying stations. I guess their hogs are worth more than mine.....LOL In Hill Country and South Texas they are not paying much and with fuel it aitn worth my time to drive to them.

Happy Hunting
Longshot

Boar Runner · Post by **Boar Runner** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:01 am

I Like a leggy catch dog, incase that hog happens to see him coming, and shucks the first catch and breaks bay the legs will help him stay in the race,and make a second attempt. I won't have a dog that shakes or regrips either, they better get ahold of a ear and lean back shoulder to shoulder and hold, or force that hogs nose in the dirt.
I have only run 1 at a time, my Blackmouths or my buddies kemmers will help out enough to ruin a big boar,
I prefer a dogo or the best one I had was a dogo bird dog cross, He hit like lawerence taylor, and could stuff a big boars nose in the dirt. and had some nose to boot.
I've been very lucky to have some catch dogs that had a long life, so I have not had to trial and error many. so my opinion comes from limited research. 2 catch dogs in 10 years tells me my strike dogs are doing their job helping out.
I have hunted with a few pitbulls that were leggy that could really get the job done. a friend in texas had a rednose, that made at least 12 good catches in one day, and that was one of the best natured pits I have been
around.
after getting ate up a bit myself from a nasty boar I started packing a pistol, once in a while you get a hold of one that won't be handled, and is looking to eat the man incharge of those dogs.

Moonshiner · Post by **Moonshiner** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:55 am

Thanks fellas, I know i kinda came across as a fella that just wanted to jump in and start hunting w/o experience.

But believe me ive learned that lesson one too many times, I'm trying to find some fols in Oregon that hunt boar, Ive found a few that do or are going too, and one of my Hawaiian friend said that if i get a big ol boar he'll dig a pit and start the coals! lol

I got a friend whos pits "catch" yotes, but he didnt train em to do it. I like pits, and Dogos and BMC's, but I think ill go on a few hunts take the pup, see how he enjoys it, Ill also see what catch dogs are used and how they work.

To be honest though im more of a fan of having a pack of 3-4 "Bay" dogs and a pistol/rifle, im sure a .45 colt would send them hogs to Hawg Heaven, lol.

What were ya talking bout places that buy the tied hogs?

longshot · Post by **longshot** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 3:52 pm

im sure a .45 colt would send them hogs to Hawg Heaven, lol.

You darn right it will! I have been packing my ruger Blackhawk in 45colt for about 2years now. I dont recomend the low recoil cowboy loads but you can get some cast or solids that will get the job done.

I reload a Serria 300gr Jacketed Soft point at 1100fps. I have shot about 15 hogs with it from 2-85yards and all 1shot kills. (mostly bays on the wrong side of the river)

45LC is plenty big enough but remember shot placement is key. I used to carry a 9mm and killed dozens of hogs with 1shot kills, plenty of big boars too.

In the immortal words of Elmer Keith "If you are about to put a hole in somthing; Pardner, make sure it is a hole it wont soon forget"

Here is my last trip to the range with the 45LC at 25meters(3 shot group):

Longshot

Moonshiner · Post by **Moonshiner** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:11 pm

Holy... Thats some dang good shootin long. I didnt mean the .45 Colt however i meant my .45 Colt 1911, lol. I have a Blackhawk in .357/9mm and a Vaquero that i ride with thats in .44mag, she kicks alot and definitly a two handed gun since of the cowboy type grip.

nightowl24 · Post by **nightowl24** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:30 am

catchdogs are like bay dogs, you'll find what breed you like and you'll stick with it. there are good and bad in all breeds. recently i've been hunting with a pitbull that is one of the best if not the best catch dog i've been behind. great natured, has never fought, rides in the box with all sexes of dogs and is hell on wheels on a hog. she is short and stocky, but the hog goes no where and we run gritty bay dogs as well.

i've come to learn that i like hunting hogs with bay dogs that will catch anything under 150-200. that helps to stop those long races. and on those big ones they are gritty enough to keep them from running and when the catch dog gets there they catch also. it is working wonders.

Moonshiner · Post by **Moonshiner** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:28 pm

Well that is something to think bout. Tonight me and the pup went hunting for some yotes round 10pm, and after we "located" em, i decided that i really should start looking for another pup/dog to back-up my pup. My blue's only 8mo and 90lbs, but when those 5-7 yotes opened up in song, he wanted to turn tail, apparently he thought I wasnt good enough back-up, lol.
I think i'll start building a bay-dog pack, for hog and also run em on yote and bob too, then i can look for a nice catch dog after ive got some hunts under my belt. This coming wednesday my buddy will bring his pits over to hunt some yotes, so i'll keep on eye on them, and see if i like what i see.