Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
Posts: 1758

Did anyone read Wayne's Autumn Oaks article titled "The Best of Both Worlds" If so, what did you think? If not, I would recommend it.

It's found at: http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/...4222009113354AM

I personally applaud Wayne for taking on such a controversial topic, and with good reason to. Although I’m sure he may receive some criticism from both sides. I agree with striking a balance between form, fit and function, and I too have struggled with the idea of how to reproduce a dog that wins the hunts, is a pleasure to hunt with, and is easy on the eyes.

Lately I’ve wondered if the key to first strike and tree may just be that close-hunting, checking in, “pleasure dog” that will tree the two coon near the truck while the other three dogs are still racing down the side of the field. What advantage is there to a dog that “will get deep” if all four dogs are getting deep???

At the same time, why shouldn’t the hunter care about looks??? If we’re hunting coon hounds, don’t we want them to look like coonhounds? Wasn’t the conformation or “look” of a coonhound developed for function? That's what set them apart from the crosses that didn't make it.

Some things to think about, for sure.

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Registered: Apr 2009
Location: N. Ga
Posts: 42

I think this year's bench show will see some winner's that don't usually win and some that usually win will not. I thought his article was right on and can't wait to see the outcome of the show. Some of these straight legged dogs I see can't get around in the hills where I hunt. Would love to see them try to climb these hills on them posts for legs. We'll see soon enough I guess.

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Registered: Jul 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 131

quote:

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Originally posted by deschmidt27


Lately I’ve wondered if the key to first strike and tree may just be that close-hunting, checking in, “pleasure dog” that will tree the two coon near the truck while the other three dogs are still racing down the side of the field. What advantage is there to a dog that “will get deep” if all four dogs are getting deep???

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Well put... I hate seeing a dog blow off the tailgate pass up a coon in a tree 10 yards away (yes I saw it we shined it) to run almost 3/4 of a mile away to tree a kitten coon....kinda defeats the purpose of what it's all about in my book... but ya know what they say about opinions and I'm sure mine will get picked apart
Angie

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