Registered: Aug 2009
Location:
Posts: 207

I really want to participate in coonhound bench shows and water races and treeing contests. I have been wanting to do this stuff for a long time. I grew up with coonhounds because my father was big into it when I was a kid. Thus, I have loved coonhounds literally ever since I was born. My father doesn't hunt anymore and hasn't for over 20 years. I have always wanted to show dogs. I did the kids bench show when I was little. I have had to wait a long time and am just now at a point where I can start. I have been in college and then law school and have been concentrating on getting my career going. I am now a practicing attorney and am now at a point where I have the time to devote to dogs.

I got a beagle a few months in hopes of participating in bench shows and field trials. However, I can't find anything in Texas or in the nearby area where I can participate a lot. Too bad because my beagle is a looker and a good tracker. I talked with my father the other night and have decided that in order to participate in a lot of events I will probably need to get a coonhound because there is nothing for beagles in Texas or Oklahoma, etc. There are numerous coonhound events close to where I live and within easy driving distance.

I am trying to decide what breed to get. My father had primarily walkers and a few black and tans. Walkers are my favorite really, but I also like black and tans and redbones. I'm really not interested in the other three breeds. I wanted to get everyone's opinion. What breed do I have the best chance of winning a bench show with? Obviously a good-looking dog of any breed will win if they're the best looking dog in the show, but which breeds win the most? My father, a former bench show judge, told me that the best looking walker will win against the best looking dog of the other five breeds usually. Of course he hasn't participated in any of this for over 20 years. Plus, he's partial to walkers anyway, as am I.

Although I love walkers, I would love to have a redbone or a black and tan. However, my father told me that I would have a hard time winning a bench show with a redbone. He said a black and tan would have a good chance, but that I would be better off getting a walker if I wanted a lot of trophies. Still, I love redbones and black and tans. I would appreciate everyone's opinion because things may have changed a lot since my father was in the loop. Those of you who have been hunting since the late '70s and '80s might remember my father. He is Gary Flowers.

I am also interested in the treeing contests and water races. I would also be interested possibly in the nite hunts, but I don't know how many women participate in those. Are there many women who do the nite hunts? If so, I would be interested. I don't want to have a coonhound and it never get to hunt at all.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Oakdale, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3753

go to a few local events, take your dad with ya... you will get a feel for what you really want..

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Registered: Mar 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 341

he he he... I can't WAIT to see the replies you get

Go with what YOU want - don't be discouraged by not seeing a ton of redbones in the winners circle - they are out there. If I'm not mistaken, one of the Criggers' red boys went BIS at Premier last year, and my first year at Autumn Oaks, Dale Young's red male, Dutch, won the overall Purina Bench Show race. AWESOME reds are out there, you just have to look into it.

Same can be said for B&Ts - ask anyone about the Felony dog Amber Bradford owns or Amanda Alexander's old Hawk dog (may he RIP...)

Good luck with whatever you choose, I love Plotts so I'm not particularly biased either way... just pick a pup you'll be happy with!

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Registered: Mar 2009
Location: Burlison,TN
Posts: 90

I am a walker man but love all the breeds..I say just whatever feel right at the time I guess..

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Registered: Apr 2009
Location:
Posts: 251

It don't cost no more to feed and keep a walker then it does a off breed

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 42

Tell you dad sorry to disagree but the evidence states otherwise. World Show Champion for two years 2006 and 2008 I believe was Only In America "Dutch" and a beatiful dog. I like all hounds but I prefer a solid colored dog. Thats just me. One thing is for sure my daughter sure loves ours.



We have learned alot about showing dogs with her. Gotten beat some and won some.



If you pick a Redbone and want a real contender get one that has absolutely no white anywhere. Although a small amount is allowable under the breed standards, you just wont be able to compete at the national level and come out with some wins. Get a male unless you want a couple and can be patient enough for their heat cycles. WOmen participate in all parts of the sport, many of the top handlers are women...read most really.

This was a Grand Champion class and down to the Blackn N Tan and my Redbone. That night we came out on top. I dont have a national level dog this one is fine for us right now but I know what I would spend my money on. Pm me and I will tell you.

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Last edited by Fortancient on 04-19-2010 at 01:49 AM

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Registered: Feb 2010
Location: off the res.
Posts: 3416

There are now 7 different reg. breeds of coon hounds. Go to a few shows and whatever breed you decide on just do your home work and you will be okay. Top show dogs come in all breeds. Good luck on whatever you choose.

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Registered: Apr 2010
Location: Wood River, Illinois
Posts: 63

English dogs are pretty good on the bench and in the hunt.I hunt with my dad and his friend and we hunt b&t and english man is that some fun.

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Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 42

This is a link to the Winners at the Grand American this year.
Pick a breed and have a sense of humor as when you enter you are paying for an opinion.
http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/...1292010013457PM

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Registered: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 6548

what ever you choose,remeber to be patient it want happen
over night.

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: Prince Edward Island,Canada
Posts: 4589

You should be able to find a nice showdog out of any of the breeds, they all are showing up in the shows and winning.

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Registered: Feb 2010
Location: Wisconnesota
Posts: 126

lots of great dogs out there, good luck.

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Last edited by Fireman Sam on 04-19-2010 at 08:59 AM

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Registered: Oct 2008
Location: Mendon, Michigan
Posts: 117

Like every one else has said, get the breed YOU want. Walkers are probably by far the most popular breed for show, i have never owned anything that wasn't a walker, but im gunna go out of the major circle and invest into a plott.
good luck to you and your hounds!

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Registered: Mar 2010
Location: Georgetown, KY
Posts: 481

Get a Plott Dog...

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: MIDDLE OF NO WHERE WV
Posts: 1732

is there anything else? j/k take your dad and yall shop around....
good luck

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location:
Posts: 366

Walkers do seem to win a lot, but I think the reason for that is because so many folks own Walkers. There are more of them in general than other breeds. Because of this, I think I am a bit impartial to the breed. I assume this would mean more competition at the breed levels of competition as well.

Personally, I like a good colorful ticked up English dog, or a merle Leopard, but that's just me. Out of the three you said you liked, I'd say go with a Walker or Black and Tan. There are some mighty handsome black dogs out there...

As long as you really look into what breed you like, take your time and make sure you will be pleased with your decision, you can find a potential winner.

These folks right here have made show champs out of all breeds, I believe...
http://www.freewebs.com/byfaithhounds/

Also, don't be bashful about the nite hunts. See if your dad will go with you and spectate on someone's cast. Most fellows are inviting and friendly and support women hunting. I have been in a handful of nite hunts and have been well-received as a woman, so far.

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Last edited by Maverick061106 on 04-19-2010 at 03:42 PM

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: michigan
Posts: 2573

You've gotten some good advice so far. If you're partial to Walkers they are certainly out there to be found as all the other breeds are also. Since you live in Texas you might want to talk with Sonja Yearwood (Skyblue on here) , the Hittsons with Blueticks around Florence , Texas, Lori & Jimmy Mills in Grand Bay , Al. ( where I got Dutch 9 years ago }. Many more around . Attending Autumn Oaks in Richmond, IN. on Labor Day weekend will overwhelm you with coonhound pups and dogs. Also the Texas State championship is the weekend after Autumn Oaks in Madisonville, Texas.
Have in mind what you really really want in a hound because they're just like us and some excel at one thing and not another, then you'll find some that seem to have no limits. Those are hard to find and when you do thier life span is so short it breaks your heart. Also, all pups are cute so look at there parents to see what you may have when fully grown.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

First and foremost do not get in a hurry and get the first available to come along. I would look at the 3 breeds that you are interested in and contact individuals in those breeds as recommended by Dale.

I would pick a top performing strain. I would try to pick a breeder from each bred. Then go check out and see what kind of dogs they have. I know the expense involved in what I suggest, but if you look at the expense in time investment you will be much further a head in the long run.

Also, I am firm believer that in the more work something is the greater reward you will reap. Good luck.

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 1442

Doesn't anyone out there have support for the Leopards? They are very gorgeous hounds and they have one thing the others don't...brains j/k. They are wonderful dogs to own and they are winning the bench shows too. Also, don't talk yourself out of the Nite hunts. My wife is one of 8 women in the small area around us that competition hunts. Just pick a pup that you like, but don't count out any breeds that you haven't been around yet.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: michigan
Posts: 2573

walker days~ some bench show pics

If you haven't already look up the post with the above title and see if some of those aren't what you're looking for.

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Registered: May 2009
Location: Tonkawa Oklahoma
Posts: 5586

I would say it depends more on what kind of handler you are. The show end of it won't matter what breed you choose. All breeds have excelent built dogs in them.
Now wining at comps. is a differant story. That will depend more on what kind of handler you are. Getting them to stand on the bench to be shown will be easier with one breed easier than others too.
Walker seem to be more hyper as a rule and harder to handle. I would take that into consideration more than anything else. They will probley be easier to win with in races BUT harder to control and train.
Good luck with your choice. Hope what ever you choose you do well with. By the way I am not collor blind. I have trained a lot of differant breeds for differant things and this is just more what I would be looking at if makeing a choice. Right now I have a B&T,T.W., and a BT...............For you I would say go with the breed you like the best. You will spend more time with it and enjoy it no matter how it does......That in itself gives you a GREAT edge.............

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location:
Posts: 207

Thanks to everyone for all their insightful and helpful opinions. I want to get a dog as soon as I can. It may be a little while though because in addition to being a lawyer I'm also in the Air Force Reserve, and I could be deploying soon. Obviously I don't want to get a puppy and then go overseas. However, as ya'll said, I need to do a lot of research anyway so this will give me time to get exactly what I want. Right now I'm leaning towards a walker, but we'll see.

I plan to start attending a lot of events in Texas and Oklahoma. Hopefully I can attend the Texas State Hunt this year. I'm sure I can convince my father to go too. If he sees that I'm serious about going, he will probably go as well. After all, at one time he lived and breathed coon hunting. That's where I got my love for hounds. I own a beagle at the present time but just can't find any events close to home to enter her in.

As I said, I'm leaning towards a walker. Does anyone know some good walker breeders in either Texas or Oklahoma?

Also, I remember seeing in the American Cooner magazine in the early 1990s a walker dog that I thought was the best looking I had ever seen, and my father concurred. The dog was a male and was named 'PR' Cash. The owner's name and location escapes me. Does anyone remember that dog? I know there's probably been many dogs named Cash, but this one in particular was great looking and I think a dual champion. He was very well built and had a perfect saddle and great head. As I said, it was in the early '90s, and his picture was in every issue of the 1992 American Cooner. Anyone remember the dog?

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Registered: Feb 2009
Location: mitchell INDIANA
Posts: 222

bluetick but im am a bluetick lady but it wat ever i have a bluetick female she is really nice im goin to start gettin her into field trials

this is her at her last show




heres the male for sale

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Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Shreveport/Bossier City, La
Posts: 274

Where are you doing your reserve time? I am at Barksdale AFB in La and I have a redbone female that is due to have Pups in 8 days. She threw some outstanding hounds with great looks and hunting abilities out of the same male two years ago. If you would like to come look at the pups when they are born feel free to come over. I will also post pics. the pup i kept from her made Show Champ at 8 months old and lacks 2 wins to be Grand show. I have put here in 4 hunts and she has a 2nd place with 325+. Hope you find one you like.

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location:
Posts: 207

Hi rump27. My unit is at Carswell NAS/JRB in Fort Worth, Texas. I currently live in Paris, Texas though. Yes, I would like to see your puppies when they're older, probably 6-8 weeks old. I love redbones too. Yes, please post some pictures when they're born.

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