The American Beagler Forum

Guys and gals,

I need your help. I'm starting over with my beagles. The last few I have got haven't been very good dogs. I had 3 males and out of the 3 only 1 would hunt. I gave the other two away yesterday. I have a big male and a little bluetick female that someone gave me but I don't think she will do much. She is really timid in the kennel and in the field. She's about 1 to 1.5 yrs old and will run off if you shoot but only if there is a lot of shoot at one time. Will follow the other dogs in the brush and will not come out if you shot but if she is out and she hears a few shots she will run to the truck. I hope she get over this little quirk. But to my main question. Since I am basically starting over which should I look for males or females? I have owned and hunted with both but just don't know which to look at. I was wanting your alls oppinion on which you liked best and why? And also was wondering if you think my little female will get over this quirk or should I find her another home?

Thanks for any help,

Steven

I like females better, and swore I'd never own another male after I got rid of my last one back in '01. I now have two more males, and I still don't like them. My main gripe is their peeing everywhere and always checking out the females. As far as performance, they all do fine, but the females seem to mature quicker and handle easier. As far as your gunshy pup, only time will tell. If you can get by without her, you may want to give her away as a pet and start looking for a replacement. Life's too short to fool with too much foolishness.

BiL

Male or female is just personal opinion. Hunt and desire and gunshy(ness) are all in an individual dog and some would argue that it is in a line of dogs. That being said... go look at some started dogs or some running dogs and buy what you like. Find a dog that has what you want in it, not what someone is trying to sell you. Don't settle for something just because it is close to you and you don't have to pay to have it shipped. Do some homework, go see the dog personally and find something that fits you.

As I said before, male vs female is just a personal preference. Males pee on everything, females have heat cycles, the rest is in the genetics.

Emery

"As I said before, male vs female is just a personal preference. Males pee on everything, females have heat cycles, the rest is in the genetics."

Emery

I have gone to mostly males because of this. When I run females they all tend to come in heat during the hunting season. I have seen and have had males that hunt as good and run as good or better as any female and the only advantage that I give the females is that the ones I started would start at an earlier age and mind better than the males but as far as hunting and running it is just what you want in my opinion.

I like my females but currently have 4 males and 2 females. Nothing better than a bad azz male, IMHO. I would like to have a minimum of two good/great males and currently have one that I really like that just turned two years old. The other three males in my kennel are under 5 months old so time will tell.
Opening day this year I drop the tail gate and release the hounds and notice my matriarch is in heat. Happens every year.