Dogs Getting Faster!

[Phillip Smith]

I've been off work since Dec. 17th and have ran my dogs all but two days. I can't beleive the speed they have picked up. I've been running them 2 to 5 hours a day and they are hard as a rock and are more competive then normal. But they are death on a rabbit. I know scenting has been great this last week and they are running heads up at times.

Has anyone else had this experince with the harder the dogs are ran they pick up speed.

This is not the first time I've seen this happen. But they have always setteled down when they set up for a few days. I'm not complaining but some of my buddies thinks they've picked up too much. But I'm sure they will settel back down.

[WELLS WOODS]

I think dogs gain more foot speed when ran a lot because thier muscles get stronger. They will also get more competitive and sometimes too competitive when packed constantly. I like to solo my dog once and a while to smooth out the rough edges.

[DarrinG]

Sounds like they are doing what I would want!! IMO, the dogs cannot run too fast, unless they are getting sloppy, but you said they are becoming "death on a rabbit"......exactly what I want!!!!!!!!!!! I think the foot factor is because they are getting serious about running that rabbit with them determination to overtake their quarry, and also partly because they are building endurance some.......sounds like a fine pack to me!

[S.R.Patch]

Hounds learn by doing, the more they do, the better they get. Sounds like you've got yours tuned up !...Patch

[Guest]

An old beagler in Ill. once told me the more you run a young dog, they just get better and better as you're experiencing.

[Chris]

Has anyone else had this experince with the harder the dogs are ran they pick up speed.

I haven't really had that experience. Mostly, I've seen hounds get a bit smoother and slower when run hard for 5 or 6 full days in a row. It seems to settle them down and as a result of being a bit weary they seem to get real efficient -- not wasting any motion, just simply running the rabbit at a moderate speed, nice and steady.

Wonder why my experience is different the y'all's? Interesting.

[Alabama John]

Phillip, seems to me you just have a real good pack put together. Way to go!

Don't listen to those that will knock your dogs when they beat theirs, its jealousy.

[Chuck Terry]

Almost EVERY DAY for over two weeks straight! You must be running in fairly open terrain. We ran ours yesterday and today for approximately 5 hours straight each day in wall-to-wall briars near Edgefield, SC. I think one more day in a row of that would be too much on some of ours! They were so full of scratches and briars that they did not want anyone (or the other beagles) to touch them. I fed them up good and they should be back full force in a few days. Congratulations on your pack doing so well!

[Phillip]

Chuck, it's a lot more open then what I usually run in. Theres some thick places but not many. I run in one place that about 3 times a week is all they can take. Also one other thing I just thought about, I just switched back to Sportsman Pride dog feed (30/20) and they are in great shape. I was feeding Black Gold.

John have you been getting to hunt a lot?

Thanks!

[Alabama John]

No, I haven't been, haven't personally fired a shot all season, but will start now. I have been running our dogs regularly around here and enjoying it, just not killing any. We will get some in the next two months.
Do you get a lot of poop with Sportsmans Pride? I think the farm supply, not the Co-op, in Oneonta handles it. Who makes it?

[Phillip Smith]

John it's made buy Shunshine Mills in Al. I was feeding Black Gold and am having less cleanup with the Sportsman Pride. It's real high in Oneonta, I buy mine at Snead (Whitley Feed) and it's about $6.00 a bag cheaper. I was feeding my pups Purnia Puppy Chow and mixed it with the SP and they would leave the Puppy Chow. Also I'm feeding them Almost a 3rd less with the Sportsman Pride. I can get 10 bags and get it for $14.95 a 50# bag. I've never had a dog that didn't do good on it.

[Taitor]

That is odd I've never met the beagle that would leave anything in a bowl.

[Guest]

I've seen plenty!

[Bev]

Has anyone else had this experince with the harder the dogs are ran they pick up speed.

I haven't really had that experience. Mostly, I've seen hounds get a bit smoother and slower when run hard for 5 or 6 full days in a row. It seems to settle them down and as a result of being a bit weary they seem to get real efficient -- not wasting any motion, just simply running the rabbit at a moderate speed, nice and steady.

Wonder why my experience is different the y'all's? Interesting.

Could it be that you are the only one in this conversation that is running his dogs on hare which circle like a dang fox and don't give the dogs much of a break? A smart dog in time will learn to pace himself on game that runs fast and long.

I also agree with Patch on certain points. My observation of hounds run on cottontails is that they are slower and a bit clumsy when green started, pick up considerable speed as they progress and gain confidence, then they may gear down or smooth out just a touch as they mature and learn to combine the best foot possible with the experience of knowing that the track can change on them at any time.

[Chris]

Could it be that you are the only one in this conversation that is running his dogs on hare which circle like a dang fox and don't give the dogs much of a break? A smart dog in time will learn to pace himself on game that runs fast and long.

Could be, I guess. Hadn't thought of that. Probably didn't think of that because I always hear how everyone's dogs pound all day long, without hardly a check, so I figured their dogs were getting the same aerobic level of activity (or more, probably) as mine.