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Just got a new pup the other day, he's a Mathes, B&T cross. The bitch was AI'd with the Mathes semen from John Long in Buffalo, Wy. I was just wondering if anybody could tell me exactly what breeds Steve Mathes used when creating his line. Also if anybody knows where to find his book let me know, I've tried amazon, high lonesome and the usual places with no luck. If anybody knows John long, let me know what you think of his dogs. Thanks

Brave and other Stories is no longer available.This is tragic because it is one of the finest hound books ever written. Steve was a friend of mine and he autographed a hard copy for me when the book was first published. I treasured it I let a visiting hound person look at it and when he left our place the book was never seen again. Well during this time Steve had passed on, and I had a hard time getting another copy but was lucky enough to have Maynard Small Steve's nephew dug me up a personal copy and send it to me. Don't reckon I will be letting this one out of my sight.

Possibly on the used book market one will appear so it is worth checking.


As far as the background of Steve's Little Red dogs. Well they are the most complexed strain of big game dogs I know of. These dogs although cur like looking are very cold nosed and their roots go all the way back to the lines of famous big game hunter Ben Lilly. Many other strains were added in from the coastal ranges like Jay Bruce, Ray Nelson, and Gus Landergon and the desert southwest until Steve found his type and then he breed along those likes carefully. He even started his line registery as the Matthes Lion Hound NKC.

I hope your dog works out well for you. If it does and you are looking to start a possible program along these lines I know of a strain that is very similar to Steve's that are guarded jealously by professional hunters that carry much of the same characterisitics, although the color is different. Steve's dogs produced a number of saddle back and high tan dogs but Steve preffered the red color. Most of these dogs are high tan.


Sorry about the news on the book but it is worth it to keep looking.

I have a story close to Mike's on the book Brave. My first copy was a paper back but was signed by Steve on his birthday (short note by his wife) I loned it to a friend who passed away before he could return it. His family never recoverd the book.
I ordered another, hardcover this time as I new it was a clasic.
It's signed by Steve but I sure wished it also had a short note from Vera.

You might watch on abebooks.com I've found several of the old ones by doing a search under big game hounds and checking back every so often.

I have a couple dogs with Matthes blood in them. (1/4)

Where does the cur look come into the breed? I've looked and looked to try to find out what breeds were introduced along the way, but get different answers from everybody. What I'd like to find out is exactly what breeds were all used over the years. Thanks for the info Mike, you were lucky to know Steve.

I was veryt lucky to know Steve. I regret that due to times lag we never got to hunt together. Steve was in his golden years, and recovering from a serious mule accident and although hunting a bit, wasn't really getting it when we met. His insightful guidance and pleasant instuction made me realize what a great hunter he was.

Steve like several other in my life made me feel so confident after recieving their instructions , that I couldn't wait to get to the woods to try it out. It never failed though I did many times.

Great mentors leave tracks that outlive the winds and rain of times as they trace across the minds of those that follow. MJ Leonard

r_cordell wrote:Just got a new pup the other day, he's a Mathes, B&T cross. The bitch was AI'd with the Mathes semen from John Long in Buffalo, Wy. I was just wondering if anybody could tell me exactly what breeds Steve Mathes used when creating his line. Also if anybody knows where to find his book let me know, I've tried amazon, high lonesome and the usual places with no luck. If anybody knows John long, let me know what you think of his dogs. Thanks

Ryan, did you get that pup from Larry?

Interesting information Mike and insight in regards to Steve, I think If Steve were alive today he would be a little confused about the direction of where his breeding program went not saying that there is not some good Mathis hounds still out there. Steve was an extraordinary houndsmen and hunted the hide off of his hounds and bred for performance rather than looks, color, etc. It’s funny that you mentioned his book and the fate of yours as I had the same thing happen to mine I don’t know what anyone would want with a personally autographed copy addressed to someone else in their collection of books. I can never replace that book and it is a sad loss. I can say that if anyone out there is still hunting Mathis hounds or intends to I hope they realize the effort and thought Steve put into his dogs. These dogs were Steve’s, one of the best lion hunters ever so he had a great deal of knowledge in what it took to catch even the toughest lions.
Just a little oxygen from
sourdough

Steve's book is on amazon.com $595.00. I'm sure it's a good read.......not sure it's that good.

I believe its Steve's son that still has some of his books although I don't have a contact number, I could put you in touch with someone who does. Pm me if you need a name and number.