Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1610

some old coon hunter wrote something about the long ear on a hound helped it to smell because of it draging along the ground and leaves. And a "few" had comments about his statement.

Well, as I read the January 2005 Update, put out by Purina Pro Club- "The shape and length of a dog's muzzle, as well as his habit of sniffing, is uniquely suited to extreme smelling ability. SOME DOGS HAVE LONGER EARS, WHICH MAY ALSO PLAY A ROLE IN HELPING TO FUNNEL SCENT MOLECULES INTO THE NOSE."

But, than again what would Purina and their Vets know about dogs?

So does anyone know where I could find a long eared hound with a good square muzzle?

Well, time to go and visit Mr. Coyote. Happy Hunting. OT

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: nebraska
Posts: 92

I believe that it was Obe Cory in his Full Cry articles that said there was a connection. Quite a few guys made comments to him about it too. Had to be in the late sixtys or seventys.yep quite a while ago.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Fl.
Posts: 1280

Old Timer I thought John D. had you straightened out on this issue. Please reread what you wrote and you will see the word "MAY" used. That means they just threw that in to give us something to talk about on these message boards. I will stand by what I said years ago on this subject. If your dogs are moving a track at such a slow pace their ears are helping to funnel the scent into their noses you need different dogs, not longer ears.

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location:
Posts: 284

Actually, the bloodhounds were bred with longer ears for just that purpose, to stir up the scent. However, they were developed during the 1300's and they were still curing common infections with exorcisms back then too. It's also important to know that the bloodhounds were not developed to catch game. They were used to cold trail the game until it's bed or den was located and then the shorter eared pack hounds were used to catch it. So I guess long eared hounds can't catch game either.

I do think a hound should have long ears just to look right. Kinda like a fast car just looks right with a big fat racing stripe down the middle, though it does nothing to make it faster.

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