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What should I breed to?

I have two male English bear dogs that are all around bear dogs. These two are litter mates from one of our English females and Wilcox Thunder Tae Bo. The female also traces back to Wilcox but that was a few generations ago. I'm currently looking to see what I should breed these two to next to produce some excellent big game dogs. What is everyone's suggestion? What crosses well with Wilcox for big game? Also what's everyone's thoughts on getting a grand night champion coon dog for my next cross?

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Iraq/Afghanistan Vet

So no one has any suggestions at all on a good English with a cold nose that would cross well with this?

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Iraq/Afghanistan Vet

Breed to

If you want coon dogs breed to a coon dog. But if you want bear dogs breed to a bear dog.

I am not trying to start a fuss or be disparaging in any way, so please do not take what I'm saying in the wrong way. If you are not sure what to breed to, I would advise to hold off.

There are too many people who breed just because they may have a decent dog, but they do not put enough thought into what can be done to actually improve a given line. Again, not pointing fingers or trying to start an argument, but the downfall of the hound world has been overbreeding and underthinking.

There are ALOT of breeders out there who have given proper thought on how to improve lines and increase desirable traits. It would be to everyone's benefit if more houndsmen sought out the counsel of these men so that we could all improve upon what is currently out there. The old mantra of breeding the best to the best is a BS argument that doesn't always achieve the best results. Lines that have been bred 'best to best' for multiple generations are where the best and most successful hounds can be found.

What traits would you like to improve in your dogs?
What traits are they strong in?
What are your goals in raising a litter of pups?
Do you have customers, or homes, for excess pups?
Are you willing to guarantee or stand behind pups you sell?


Tex

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=2
Tex Adams
Evil Eye Kennels
Treeing Walker and Trigg Hounds
Gillette, Wyoming

Rooster

Something with some Michigan Swamp Rooster blood.

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"PR" King's Tree Shakin' Outlaw (Josie)
King's Double Gem (Jade)
King's Friday Night Lights (Riggs)

Evil Eye you hit the nail on the head.

i think alot of times good dogs dont get bred enough or at all,and before you know it they are gone. especially the females as there is alot more involved.hounds have a short life to begin with ,and unforesseen things happen that may shorten it even quicker.if you have dogs you really like i wouldnt be afraid to breed them.

Evil eye the goal of the pups are for me to keep. I'm not looking at becoming a breeder just to sell pups. I asked this question to see what crosses well with what I have. I understand completely where you are coming from though. So my real question is what crosses well with Wilcox for big game? As far as picking a female I will look at all the traits between my dogs and a female when I have a candidate. Again I do understand about people not putting the time in doing their research that's why I'm asking for others opinions.

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Iraq/Afghanistan Vet

I don't know where you are located but a lot of guys around here have developed their English lines off the old oney blood if you can find it for big game. I don't bear hunt my hounds but coon hunt English dogs. In talking with other English guys about lines I've heard consistenly that the big river line throws solid tracks dogs, I've hunted with a couple that went back to that line and I'd have to agree with what I've been told. I know several guys around here that have made some very good English x walker crosses for big game with great success. My 2 English hounds I currently have are Wilcox bred and I like them a lot, I don't comp hunt much at all so I don't know how they'd stack up against a grand nite champ, but they get the job done for me consistently. Good luck in your search.

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Dry Branch Kennels
Churchville, VA


PR Dry Branch's Thunder Braley
PR Dry Branch's foggy mtn daisy


Never forgotten-
PR Dutch Hollars Mtn Cry Diamond

This is just an opinion. I've made a few crosses and love the English breed. We have mixed Swamp Rooster, a splash of Wilcox, a dandy little Oneys female and some of Jon Rays blood. Its turned out great. But each time I've crossed I knew exactly what I was looking for to make a good thing better. Most of the time its worked, sometimes not. But I have never gone far out, line breeding works better than anything, providing its a good line. Myself I usually know where the cross at hand is leading to for the next one. Tomorrow you can change but its to late for today.

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Wild Spirit Big Game Hounds
English Big Game, is the only language we speak in our country!!
Dan and Jonathan Kirschner
906-250-0089
Upper MI

Just in general I would say the heaviest swamp rooster blood you can find. If you are able go with people really observe your hound see her weakness and try to find a male that will balance her weakness just don't take peoples word for their stud dog go watch him, if they have what you are looking for they will be more than happy to show him hunt. Don't listen to the excuses that he is only a stud I have never seen a hound to good to hunt.