Evaluating Hounds??????

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:32 am

I can't just pick one thing, but if a dog is out of pocket all the times, he's a goner. That would be brains I suppose. The hound I like best is the one I can trust. I have never seen that offered as a trait that was demaned in a hound. Thats important to me.

Mapel Valley Kennels LLC. · Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:36 am

Looks like ky has voted at least 40 times lmao

SilverZuk · Post by **SilverZuk** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:14 am

Overall ability is the most important, but conformation is first.
It has to meet basic conformation (can't look like a jack russel or be 20" tall).

So technically, I look at a hound first and think "OK, its a beagle".
If it can't pass the first inspection, it won't move on.

So basic conformation is the first thing I look at.
The main criteria is ability. Overall ability which includes hunt, nose, use of mouth, speed, handling, kennel manners, etc.

I have preferences on color and mouth, but don't mean much when the preferred color and mouth can't do the job the way I want it done.

green river · Post by **green river** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:56 pm

MasonsBeagles · Post by **MasonsBeagles** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:17 pm

ok there are no wrong answers here. i had several more options but it wouldnt let me post them so I had to whittle them down these.

one question, probably should have been more detailed. but say we all go running and drop dogs on the ground what is the first thing you notice about a dog?

how do you judge a hounds mental capacity first?

SilverZuk · Post by **SilverZuk** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:20 pm

MasonsBeagles wrote:how do you judge a hounds mental capacity first?

You run with the dog in lots of different conditions.
See how the dog reacts to pressure, how it does when the scenting gets tough, how it reacts when other dogs doing stupid things like driving out like they have the check, but don't have anything at all.

I like to run a dog with both good dogs and bad dogs to see how it reacts.

Lynn Perkins · Post by **Lynn Perkins** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:35 pm

MasonsBeagles wrote:
how do you judge a hounds mental capacity first?

from the time he's a pup to an adult.got to know how to hunt for a rabbit,then to just be out there searching around.There is a difference,any hound can stir around,but hunting for a rabbit is a whole different ball game.Brains is the key to alot of the better hounds i have seen.I guess maybe by the way you asked the question,the first thing i notice when first on the ground yes is hunt.I evaulate my hounds daily whether in the kennel or in the field,and i love a smart hound.Everyone has opinions and this is mine,whatever right

Some people call it mental capacity,i call it brains.I try to never get above my raising here in the moutains

Get up in the morning Will and go run your hounds,see which one has the most mental capacity and let us know monday morning how you evaulated them. peace out brother

MasonsBeagles · Post by **MasonsBeagles** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:30 pm

lol...i understand how to evaluate brains. was just curious if there was trick to it straight out of the box with hounds youve just laid eyes on. that was the point of this. What is the first thing that catches your eyes you look for when first looking at hounds in the field?

J.C. Blair · Post by **J.C. Blair** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:36 pm

I would have to say if I had to pick from the list I would go with Hunt as well. I like a dog that will go look for a rabbit, not wait on another dog to jump it for him. I got two males here, one has average hunt and the other is flashier, more fun to watch. They jump the equal amount of rabbits most time, why you ask, BRAINS! or Mental Capacity as you concrete boys call it.

CSWC,
Blair

MasonsBeagles · Post by **MasonsBeagles** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:41 pm

lol...concrete boys????lol Guess that would be me?

I guess its not fair to just throw it out without saying what I judge first. It is hunt. I look at there hunt first and foremost. Without it the other doesnt make any difference. But that would be the first and foremost requirement. I dont care if they have a unicorn horn if they hunt like I like Ill take notice. LOL Just thought this would be interesting to see others responses.

Ark · Post by **Ark** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 3:08 pm

how do you judge a hounds mental capacity first?

You cant and I think thats why most people are saying hunt based on the way you worded the question.

Other than maybe their color or markings or which tree or bush theyll pee on first, their hunt or desire is gonna be the first thing you see.

Everything else youll have to wait and evaluate after you see if its got enough hunt to get a rabbit up in the first place.

JD Baisden · Post by **JD Baisden** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 3:11 pm

With the choices given, I chose hunt. However, Tim H makes a good point.

Honey Pot Hounds · Post by **Honey Pot Hounds** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 3:15 pm

the first thing you do when you see a new dog is look at it with your eyes...so what does that tell you? Your first evaluation is it's LOOKS...first impression.

MasonsBeagles · Post by **MasonsBeagles** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 3:21 pm

honey pot that one has a visual advantage on the brains department...lol

B.Trull · Post by **B.Trull** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 6:14 pm

MasonsBeagles wrote:lol...i understand how to evaluate brains. was just curious if there was trick to it straight out of the box with hounds youve just laid eyes on. that was the point of this. What is the first thing that catches your eyes you look for when first looking at hounds in the field?

How the dog hunts, if it is paying more attention to the handler or the other hounds than finding its game. As far as brains, while I am training a dog I just pay attention to how fast it learns. I don't believe you can really accurately judge a hounds brains right out of the box.

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Evaluating Hounds??????

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