The American Beagler Forum

Ran my dogs this weekend and was privileged enough to be invited by an old timer that was running his dogs in the same area to join him.
Needless to say my dogs got a "whoopin". I know the guys first name was Ralph and was from the Olivet MI. area. It was just awesome to see his three females have line control on what seemed was all we could run was baby rabbits. He mentioned that he knows a few people who visit this site (he has a dog named tator).

Now back to the point, after watching these dogs I am trying to find lines of dogs that are bred for big noses and line control. I can put up with a little bit of extra mouth as long as it produces and would rather have med. speed with better line control.

Thanks in advance.

The best "true big nose" hounds that I have personally witnessed were dogs directly out of Spicer's Blueback. I have seen many hounds out of Blueback with outstanding noses. On the other hand, I have seen a handful that could not control their noses because their brain did not match and popped off way too much for me personally. Let me explain. A true big nose is one that can differentiate a track worth opening and moving as opposed to one that is "cold". Some guys, in my opinion, think a hound that opens often early while others don't has to have a "big nose." Most of the time those hounds have less brains unless they can produce in an ample amount of time. I for one will not tolerate a hound giving tongue without producing fur. However, in the 23 years of owning hounds, my experience is that the most difficult traits for a hound to have is a big nose with the big brain to match. When you see the rabbit on those tough scenting days and one hound can lift scent and make progress with the track while the others are wondering what he/she is smelling, that is a true big nose.

I personally have owned two that I thought had a true big nose. I have had quite a few hounds in my time as well. Big nose + Big Brain = Very difficult to find.
My Bandit dog out of Blueback had an exceptional nose with control. I had a hound about 20 years ago (about that) out of FC Brookside Kojak and a direct daughter of Spur that had one of the best noses I have witnessed along with the brains to go with it. Many days I called her a liar only to have the rabbit present itself. Good luck in your search. Maybe some guys on this board could help more than I.

Also keep in mind the location of some of the hounds that may be mentioned. Important when discussing noses. Good luck in your search and good post.

If your looking for medium speed Big nose and unbeatable linecontrol you can't go wrong with Linebreeding from Jacks Iron Mike or Inline Blackjack. This is the most desired breeding in the AKC SPO format and will give you nose with linecontrol.
Grime Reaper has a couple crosses of Jacks Iron Mike in him. Most of the Shorts breeding go back to Iron Mike. Shorts Pro,
Shorts Homebrew, Shorts Kate and Browns La.
There is a Stud called Black Axle that goes back to Inline Blackjack that is really producing hard hitting smooth on the line pups that have very few breakdowns on a line. These dogs can really run in the heat too. Thier breakdowns are like hesitations not checks.

If you are looking for medium fast foot with a big nose then look for something out of Drew's blue Storm. They will have some extra mouth sometimes, but they can normally hold onto a rabbit, even if the conditions are rough.

big Dog

Woodside PLATINUM Plus. Good steady medium speed with BIG nose. Great SPO style dogs.

Jim

If that old man has stuff you like why risk it. Give him money right now for pick of his next litter or lease one of those females from him and breed it to a stud you like.

Not a bad idea big mike.....but I don't know if he knows how to get in touch with him.

Hey kbspeed, how you been??? Has the running been any better over your way? I've got all pups right now except one and it seems to be a daily struggle for me but it's getting better little by little.

the mans name is ralph lovell and he does have some really nice dogs, and he is a really nice guy, i know he did have some ranger dan and kalagha stuff and they are good solid rabbit dogs.

Hey Ron, long time no see on here anyway. I'm gonna run dogs tonight if you wanna run. I'll send you a pm too, just let me know.

HAS TO BE BRANKO JUST ABOUT ALL THE TOP STUDS ARE BRANKO BREED

Ron Conroe wrote:the mans name is ralph lovell and he does have some really nice dogs, and he is a really nice guy, i know he did have some ranger dan and kalagha stuff and they are good solid rabbit dogs.

That would be the guy. One of the nicest people I have ever met. I am sure I must have asked him a couple thousand questions. The only thing that my dogs did well that morning (one of my dogs) was jump the majority of the rabbits, after that they just watched his dogs run the rabbit.

BB same kind of running over here by me, mostly misses instead of hits. Last Sunday was the first time my dogs ran together since April. My bigger female couldn't seem to get healthy, infection in her elbow, infected tail-had to be cropped.