how many dogs do we really need??

[Tim H]

Like some of the others on here, it's a factor of how much time I can put into them and keep em in top hunting/trialing shape. I try to keep 6-10, anything over that and I can't give em the attention they need.

Couple of years ago I had 20 in the runs cause I was starting dogs for others. My 10 dogs sat in the kennel. I decided then that I know my limits and I won't have more than 10 dogs to train whether they are mine or someone elses.

[rabbitgunner87]

All you need is two, or at the most three. If you need more dogs than that to run rabbits or to kill rabbits, than you need new dogs.

[Tim H]

rabbitgunner87, that is fine if you are planning on having somebody else breed all your good dogs for you.

[MIKE]

I AGREE WITH RABBITGUNNER88, & IF YOU HAVE 2 BITCHES & A MALE YOU DON'T NEED ANYBODY BREEDING YOUR GOOD PUPS. IT WORKS FOR ME.
MIKE

[Randy Phipps]

I've got 5 myself and am pretty happy with it so far, but you never know the one you can't live without maybe around the next corner, or finding the missing link to make the perfect pack . I also have 5 because of my luck, 3 of my 5 dog pack is females that seem to take turns cycling in during gun season and 2 are pups I will be working with this year.

[acesdog]

I have 4 3 females and one male and keeping one of the litter that i just had . a male and female same litter and a female form another outcross
but still patch. then a 1 year old pup. but just like everybody ealse always looking for the next best thing. I realy like a four dog pack to run with.

[tiffinis]

I have 290 pounds worth of dogs. Do I need more...probably not. But there is always enough love to go around.

[FetchingPixels]

My dogs don't hunt yet. I'm afraid I'll lose them. We are going over to Neebish Island this weekend, and my uncle will probably talk me into letting them. We'll see. I'm afraid i'll never see em again. My boy would make one heck of a rabbit hunter, he finds em on walks. Digs up underground dens and bunnies go flying everywhere. Kills em on a 5ft leash-- before I even know he has a scent.

Other then that, 2 is enough for me!!! But it would be funny to have one lil chi (i'm not even going to attempt to spell it) bossing them around...lol. Just kidding. I will have beagles probably only for the rest of my life. I would like a lab someday again.

[Rabbithoundjb]

Fellows I will agree that 2or 3 dogs can run you a rabbit, heck 1 is enough to kill rabbits but as Tim said there are other factors to consider. Females in heat, dogs hurt, dogs dieing suddenly and the list can go on. I like to hunt at least 6 regardless of the circumstances and I want to feel the ground shake (so to speak) so I normally will keep around 8 that can all put the rabbit in front of the gun by themselves or with any combination I go to woods with. In short I can have too many dogs but I can't have too many rabbit dogs.

[beagle crazy]

NEED I have 12 at the house now. 2 pets, 1 old dog, 6 for trials (depending on the weather and the season of the gyps) and 3 young pups. I don't NEED any of them. But they sure are nice! Hunting rabbits is so much easier with a hound than by yourself. I could live my life without them, but WITHOUT THEM, MY LIFE WOULDN'T BE COMPLETE.

[taylorskennels]

I have 4 running dogs,1 ready to be started,and 11 pups between 4-6 weeks old that= 16 dogs .Some of the pups have homes waiting already so maybe not so bad.

[Windkist]

I suppose that I don't NEED any dogs but, life sure would be boring without them ;-)

Leah

[Joeyman]

As many as it takes........

[Big Head]

I've got 8 total, 4 males and 4 females that range in age from 1 to 5 years old.. I like to keep 6 dogs total and running a pack of about 4 has been good if thay are a good level pack in ability... Right now I can still take 4 to the woods even if all the females came in at the same time and if you've had beagles long at all you know that can happen...LOL 8 is not to many to carry out at one time but I tend to keep collars on the youngsters till they prove themselves for handling and trash.... I run with three other fellows during the season and they all have at least 5 dogs each and no one wants to leave any at home so I end up just carrying a couple of dogs on Sat. but feel bad about leaving some good dogs at home...

[PREACHERS KENNEL]

maybe i didnt say it exactly right about needd.i was meaning to breed, run raise, cull out and such a breeding program that u r searching for the next best dog ! i am a trialer so i am always listening and searching for good dogs out of my type of bloodline i stay within a certain line and a trying to raise what suits me! so the ?? is what does it take to suit u to get towards that kinda goal!