How do you know when to stop looking.

BAYOU · Post by **BAYOU** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:32 am

Here's a good one for everyone but maybe not able to get an answer. I look at my dogs that I have now and wonder to myself, should I go with a different line or breed a different line into the ones I have. There are to many lines to name and much do earn their own respect but when do you all buckle down and make better with what you got. The dogs that I have now are line bred and they are my first ones so I think sometimes that I will outcross when the time comes. And also since they are my first ones, maybe I didn't go with the right line. Not to take anything from the person or persons that have did the work but mainly because I want to see if I can do it. To try things myself

PAPPY · Post by **PAPPY** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:30 am

I'm sure that at one time or another most all of us have asked ourselves that question and the answers for each of us might be different.The answer for me came when I asked myself if my hounds were providing me with the fun that is a must for me....Yep...Then were they doing what they were supposed to do,circle the rabbit around for me to see or to the gun whichever I chose to do....yep...And last,is there any way I can give up these little rascals that mean so much to me to try another line that may or may not be any better than the ones I have..NOPE...Sure when the time comes to add to my pack or replace one of these,I might look for a different line,but it really doesn't matter to me what they are out of as long as they are out of rabbit running stock.

gus · Post by **gus** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:38 am

Before you make a decision you should first think about traits in beagles that are most important to you. Then decide how close your beagles are to your ideal. Look at other lines and see how they measure up to your idea of what a beagle should be. Take the hounds in your pack, that you most enjoy, and run them with hounds that you think would help you reach your goal. You may find that your pack is more satisfactory than many of the more ballyhood hounds you see advertised.

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:22 am

If your still asking that question I hate to say it, but you probably should keep looking. You answered your own question. If your not satisfied now, you wont be latter.

BAYOU · Post by **BAYOU** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:46 am

Hey duke, I see your from the Cincinnati area too maybe we can get together and do a lil runnin some time

gus · Post by **gus** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:48 am

Duke wrote:If your still asking that question I hate to say it, but you probably should keep looking. You answered your own question. If your not satisfied now, you wont be latter.

What percentage of the posters do you think are satisfied with their kennel. No matter the endeavor, most people are trying to improve their situation. I've got good dogs but they have some flaws. I'm still looking for the perfect beagle and it appears that a lot of others are as well. I'll probably never be satisfied but it's a lot of fun trying.

VABEAGLER · Post by **VABEAGLER** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:33 am

The day you are satisified and stop looking will be the day your search to better your hounds will end.

There is no perfect dog but we must search for perfection. The day will never come at my house where every spot in my kennel is safe.

I don't have perfect, super or even great hounds. I do have dogs that i like and a couple that i am very,very fond of but i will never become complacent and accept that the dogs in my kennel have reached the pinacle of the ideal hound. I feel that once one feels this way about the dogs in his kennel is the day he becomes kennel blind.

Every hound owner should be his dogs most critical judge and biggest fan. Anytime time i find a dog that can atleast out perform one of the dogs in my kennel and is benefical to the uniformity of my pack i replace that weakest link.

If we all strive for perfection even though we know we will never achieve it and do not become satisified with mediocracy in our beagles in time you will see that you can attain a higher level of satisfaction.

So am i satisified? Never!

warddog · Post by **warddog** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 11:38 am

I'll have to agree with Pappy on this. The judge of the line of dogs I keep is ME. Everyone has their own personal likes and dislikes in what they hunt or run. Another important factor that folks leave out of the equation is the geographical areas where they do most of their hunting/running in. I like a dog that has a lot of hunt so I don't have to bust through the thick briars. I like a dog with rabbit sense so that they know where to look to jump a rabbit. I like a good nose but there is NO deep snow here so that's not a priority. I want the dog to circle the rabbit to the gun without me freezing to death but I don't want them to push them to refuge either. I like small dogs with a bawl mouth and good line control but that's not even a factor in what I keep if they can CONSISTANTLY bring the game to my gun as that's why I have them in the first place. I don't have them to win trophy's, impress someone or operate some type of business with them. They are mine, for my hunting pleasure and I may work on improving traits that I would prefer but that would be dictated by what they need to improve on how they bring their quarry full circle in the terrain I hunt in.

mn_beagleboy · Post by **mn_beagleboy** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:15 pm

As a beagler, you never stop looking at other lines. What they like, you might don't like, but there are so many line of dogs out there that you will encounter a line that suits you. It may not be the perfect dog, but it suits you. Don't listen to what others say about your dogs. If you like what you have, feed what you like and hope that you'll find other line of dogs that you like more than what you have.

Beagleboy

BAYOU · Post by **BAYOU** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 9:44 pm

Well to the same question if your dogs seem to be really good and they seem they will be good, do you continue to line bread or find something you also like and throw it into the mix. I mean by having a litter and keeping the best to try and continue or improve the line.

TRACKER · Post by **TRACKER** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:55 pm

IF U LIKE YOUR DOGS AND U THINK THERE GOOD THEN KEEP RAISING PUPS WITH WHAT U GOT BUT TRY MIXING ANOTHER BLOODLINE TO SEE IF IT IMPROVES YOUR PUPS IS WHAT I DO. YOU MAY HAVE REALLY GOOD DOGS BUT WHEN U HAVE A LITTER OF PUPS THEY ALL ARE NOT GOING TO GROW UP AND BE CHAMPIONS. THEM ONLY COME NOW AND AGAIN. IF U KNOW ALOT ABOUT SOME OF THE CHAMPION BLOODLINES TRY MIXING THEM UP AND SEE IF U GET WHAT U ARE LOOKING FOR OUT OF THE PUPS. I RAISE PUPS AND I WILL TAKE MY FEMALES AND PAY FOR STUD TO TRY OTHER BLOODLINES AND SEE HOW THE PUPS TURN OUT THATS ALL U CAN DO UNLESS U WANT TO JUST GO AND PAY BIG MONEY FOR THEM. ITS MORE FUN TRYING TO RAISE YOUR OWN LITTLE CHAMPS.