The American Beagler Forum

I just bought a 2 year old female. She has the Johnny Paycheck bloodline. I have never tried to start a hound of this age. Just wandering if any of you guys have. All comments and advice are welcome.

Take her thru the paces just like you would a pup .

I agree with the previous post, treat the dog like a pup. A few years ago i started an extremely overweight 6 yr. old house beagle. After a week of sight chases and rabbit exposure, he started running rabbits and lost alot of weight in the process!

have fun,
Lone Pine Beagles

Don't be heartbroken if she doesn't turn out well. I've tried to start several hounds that age, and always got then started, but they always had big holes in them. Most would only run a half hour or so and come back to check on you. I was patient too, but always had to give up, as far as making it into a good trial or hunting hound. It's usually a case where you see some great hounds out of a cross, and then find the one in the litter that was sold as a pet. You buy it and try it. I believe hounds are like children and their most formative years or times are when they are very young.

I have tried this twice in my life . first and last, no sucess average dog out of 2 ifc with no hunt but would run a rabbit. Never again just my thoughts.

i woudnt give up just right yet i have a buddy of mine here in alberta who had a beagle that he thought he would have for a yard dog for the rest of her life she showed no interest in rabbits and she was four years old when she started chaseing rabbits and she use to go to the woods by her self and basicly she broke her self and let me tell u she can run them with no problem she is a good hound lots of hunt and desier to go so u never no what can become of them some just take longer then others good luck james

a few months ago i started a female that 2 1/2 yrs old. i rescued her and thought that she would just be a pet because she came from a pet store. Second time out she opened up. she is medium speed and at times does better than my well known bloodline male. so give it a try, just time out in field.

I didn't let my beagles hunt freely until 5 and 7 years old. Both learned well and worked to their ability. If she has it, it will be there. Conditioning is the major thing- time in the bush will improve her stamina. Carolyn

Well here we go again. Boomerx and Jimmie are right on. I believe that hunt is learned at a young age, that's why many Canadian FCs that head to cottontail country are critizied for path walking. It is a very special dog that learns to love briars after 2-3 years old. Some do but most don't. On the other hand, breed a couple of these path walkers and start the pups right and you can end up with outrageous hunt.

HUNT IS MOSTLY A LEARNED TRAIT, NOT GENETIC!

Now I'll duck for cover!!!!!!

thanks for the input guys I will give her all I got. thanks a bunch

Chris,
I'm in the process of starting a 1 1/2 old male and I’m treating him just like a pup. First time in a starting pen he caught two rabbits. It took him about 15 minutes to figure out that there were rabbits there, but once he did it was a beautiful sight to see him take off. His bark was music to my ears and I found myself wondering why someone neglected this dog in the first place. I have high hopes for him because of his breeding (Grandson of Jack of All Trades). It’s not the dog’s fault that the previous owner never ran him or gave him the time he needed. One of Branko’s males never ran a rabbit until it was 3 years old. I believe it was Magnum Force. He was a house pet all of that time. Good luck with yours!

I recommend that you take your dog to a pen if you can. It will save you allot of time!

Guys my female took off beautifully. I did start her in the pin and within no time she was opening up. She actually done better than my 10month old female. Thanks a bunch for all the input.

I'm glad everything worked out for you Chris.

Congrats Chris, If there is one thing I have learned from these boards it is to listen to what the more experienced people have told ya to do. My 14 month old female started this past saturday morning after I was ready to give up on her.A buddy I run my dogs with talked me out of selling her friday nite and talked me into taking her saturday morning and I couldn't believe she trailed and jumped a rabbit all by herself and ran it a good ways before losing it. Just do like I did, keep taking her and sooner or later it will happen. Like everyone has said it's like flipping a switch.

took in my nieces 15 month old since she moved into a new app. where no pets were allowed. well looked 3 wks for a home with no avail was going to run one day put her in the box and almost made a big mistake. never been hunting before and went by one of my hounds like she was standing still. killed 2 hare in front of her in 30 minutes. is she perfect no but i like her and she can run a hare. never say never.