Registered: May 2010
Location: newcarlisle oh
Posts: 4

i have a good coon dog he is about 10 to 12 years old no paper work so cant be sure last few times out acts like he dont know what he is doing when or how do know when it is time to retire him

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

In my opinion, you don't need to retire them (if that means no more hunting) unless they are at risk of hurting themselves. I had a 13 year old dog, that was nearly blind but otherwise in good health, and still treed coon. I hunted him, because it would have killed him if I didn't, and we both still got pleasure out of it.

If he was running into things or getting out on the road, or something of that nature, it would have been a different story...

Coon dogs live to hunt, humans live to someday retire.

David Schmidt

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Registered: Oct 2007
Location: Medford, WI
Posts: 3312

I wouldnt retire him untill he starts being very still the next day, and then I would still take him but only do one or two drops with him when you take him, I have one that is 9 that I still take a few times a month, you can tell she isnt as fast as the younger dogs and she is pretty stiff after a long night but she still likes to go, so I will still take her once in a while

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Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Ky.
Posts: 407

coming back noodlin around you or any other action he does to make you think he not feelin like it or like he said lays around most part of the next day after hunting but still at 10-12 thier ok to still hunt every now in them at that age he knows what hes post to do.. once a week should be ok on him or maybe twice depending on him more or less

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Weston Tungate
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Registered: May 2010
Location: newcarlisle oh
Posts: 4

tanks guys for all your help will keep going

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Registered: Dec 2009
Location: central
Posts: 93

I hunted years ago with a 14 year old B&T he only hunted during kill season but he never forgot what to do. And at 14 he was still as mean as a Snake!! lolol

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Weyers Cave Va
Posts: 13416

I'd hunt him as long as he's able to go. Nothing worse than seeing your old hound that was once your TOP dog not being able to climb up out of a creek bank.

Been there done that.

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Registered: Jan 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 499

my buddy has a 12yr ol blue dog still going he dont do good in the summer. but now tht its kewled down still looking decent

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North GA
Posts: 14388

I have one that's 9. Hunted her all summer. Not as hard as normal though. Could tell it bothered her worse. Next summer she may not get to go but as long as she can still go. In cool weather. Im gonna take her. Its gonna be tough one of these days when she can't do it anymore. I've followed her across lots of territory the last 9 yrs!

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Michael Ghorley

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Lumpkin, Ga
Posts: 8757

You'll know when it's time.

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Johnny Williams

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Registered: Dec 2009
Location: central
Posts: 93

I had a old Babes Stylish Banjo male that hunted hard until he was 12. I gave him away to a freind to train pups with and he still treed 65 coon in a month of coon season but when it got cold he finly said it was enough and died.

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Registered: Mar 2010
Location: Mulberry Grove, Illinois
Posts: 638

As long as he is meeting you at the kennel door or end of the chain, take him. GrNiteCh Luschs' Nitro died while hunting in the timber with me one night at the age of 13. Thats where he wanted to be and I felt good that he died while doing what he loved to do.

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Registered: Oct 2003
Location: Montana
Posts: 95

12 years old and treed this one by herself about a month ago in the heat. She has been run hard on cats her whole life and after a hard run she has to layup for a few days

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