the chopping block

[Dillinger09]

At what age do you really start to evaluate a dog? What dogs stay and what dogs go? And why? I seem to really struggle at the 8 month marker, as all dog I've had started ,started pretty early and one in particular doing real exceptional at this age. I know dogs are young at 8 months, but its hard not to really start to think of the finished product whether good or bad at this point for me. Just wanted to hear others opinions!

[Ky. Hunter]

I am mostly a gun hunter so I really don't put an age on them but after putting the first hunting season on them I know by then if I want to keep them in my pack or not and that is not fool proof because I have sold some dogs after their first hunting season only to be beat by them the next season. Some just blossom later than others.

[BCBeagles]

If I am not seeing flashes of a very good hound, to greatness by 10 months(with proper time on them). They are expendible, on to the next. I may enjoy that part too much, in moving on, but you can't have better if you don't see it early on. JMO.

Not saying they won't make a real good hound, they better just show me a lot to stay. Just the way I like to do it. It keeps me in the right number for young hounds and running dogs as well. You can only keep the ones that suit you the most.

[mybeagles]

I keep two running dogs and a pup or two. If a pup is not running well by 6 months, chop chop. If they dont look to have the potential to take out one of the top two running dogs by 1 year chop chop.

Everyone has a long story about some dog that didn't really do anything for 1 year, then at 2 became a superstar. Not interested in that.

The bottom line is you must put incredible amounts of time into a pup that first 6 months. And perhaps even more the second 6 months. If you have not or can't put the time in, you wont know what you are chopping. 2-4 trips to the woods a week is what I consider adequate. 2-3 times a month isn't enough in my opinion and make take twice as long to make your cuts.

Mybeagles

[Bunnyblaster]

I personally have no set time or age I guess. I won't hang onto a dog for 4 years waiting for it to improve either but with my lack of running sometimes I have to give more or less time based on the opportunity I've given the dog. And even with that at times I've gotten a little hasty where Ron has reeled me back in and said just give it a little more time before you decide. I will say one thing for sure in general if there is something I don't like about a dog once I've made my mind up it's done.

[fjg2]

I agree with BC Beagles; they should be showing constant improvement; by one year old they should either make you feel eager to get them afield or ........relocation

some will blossom late for sure; but I am by far ahead of the game for the average hounds we have culled away; if one here and there slips thru the cracks I can live with that for sure.

its like preening for a genius student; every straight A kid will not be a genius but your odds will be much better in the advanced classes looking for your genius than you will trying to find that student in the slow classes.

[bluemouse]

I got a question at what age does the brain of a hound fully develop.

[littlewoody]

I would wait until there 2 .

[Dillinger09]

A lot of good stuff guys! Would like to hear more opinions! I think after two full seasons in a dog you really get to see where brains meet technique.

[mybeagles]

every straight A kid will not be a genius but your odds will be much better in the advanced classes looking for your genius than you will trying to find that student in the slow classes.

I like that analogy!

Problem I have found is the pool is filled with students in the slow classes. Ive gone to some private schools and they have large classes of slow students as well.

Mybeagles

[S.R.Patch]

History begs to differ. Most genius found though the years have been thought to be, an resulted from, those individuals somewhat queer and odd turned. Their genius was not recognized by the average man until they fully grasp their talent and it became evident this individual superseded all understanding and ability in a subject.

The hound Neuralgia may indeed have been one of Randall's missed opportunities and test subject studies...

[pineridgebeagles]

To me it depends on the dog,some are slow to show greatness,some come on at a early age,I only cull under a rear if they cold trail(which will get worse with age) or runs a deer. I wont keep either a day in my kennel,if it has no hunt over a year its gone.I will keep a dog longer if it will hunt hard, but not a great track dog.Al

[Budd]

I keep whole litters, if the whole litter is showing interest at 3-4 months of age and one of the pups isn't he is removed. I'm sure I have removed some that would have been good or better than most but thats just the way I roll!! Would rather spend more time with the pups that ARE showing interest. Once started I give them till the end of their first snow season and keep what ever will fit in and work with the pack with out disrupting, after that they are safe unless they start disrupting the pack or upcoming better pups take their position. Not saying my way is rite but is my choice.

[underdog]

Do you evaluate the dogs on the chopping block solo, in your pack or with your best dog?
I know it depends on if its a pup or an older dog. I like to see what a dog will do solo
before I add them to my pack because I made a mistake and bought a "me tooer" years ago
that couldn't run a rabbit solo if his life depended on it.

[Dillinger09]

I think at a year old a dog should be able to solo and contribute to the pack of dogs year round.