No Substitute for Hard Work

I love talking to folks through email, facebook and twitter. Lately, I have been getting allot of e-mails from houndsmen seeking advice on increasing their success rate when purchasing a new dog. The message usually goes on to state that they found a guy in the local paper selling the best pups in Western Canada or they purchased a dog and the guy said it had caught lion and bear but it hasn't produced anything but a pounding headache from all the barking in the box.

I have read posts in forums and see the "I want it yesterday and I want the best (so I can brag about it on every forum on the net) for less than one hundred bucks attitude". With all the hype, it is easy to see how inexperienced hunters get sucked in. If you keep up with all the information on the web about breeds and bloodlines it is apparent that there are a few big names that everyone is claiming to have bred into their dog. The reason for this claim is none other than to move a pup and inherit the implied status associated with the bloodline. Most times, it is almost impossible to verify the true lineage and traits that your new dog may have inherited.

In an effort to make things clearer I always suggest the same things:

• Roll up your sleeves and do the homework and legwork.
• Believe none of what you hear or read and half of what you see
• Look for the breeder that lets their dogs sell themselves
• Be prepared to pay for a good dog

Finding a dog that is right for you is no easy task and once you have it the work has only begun. Cutting corners on your purchase is only going to compound the effort and reduce the enjoyment of hunting that dog later. Accept that everyone is going to tell you all kinds of wonderful things about their dogs. Let's face it, not many pups would find homes if their sales pitch was "I'm not sure if my hound bred her or if it was the neighbours shih tzu".

Take your time and hunt the dog or its parent under the conditions you would normally hunt as it will pay off in the end. Pay the owner what it is worth. If you purchase a one hundred dollar dog then expect to get that type of performance. This takes time and effort but it will result in less stress and frustration and more great days in the woods!