Hunting Dogs
In Where the Red Fern Grows the hunting dogs play an important part.
You can tell the dogs are really important to Billy because he risked his
life to save them and he also saved money for two years to buy them.
This web page will contain information about how to select a dog, the three
most popular hunting dogs, and blood hounds and coon dogs.
Selecting a Dog
In selecting your dog make sure it’s for the type
of hunting you do. Every hunting dog should have a good sense of smell.
It should also be very fast so it can catch its target. They need
to have everything they need to hunt it's game. You may need more
than one dog. They need to be spayed unless you want it to breed.
Three Most Popular Hunting Dogs
The most popular hunting dogs are the hound, bird
dog, and the retriever. The hound dog is used for trailing animals
mostly raccoons, rabbits, and foxes. There are twenty two different
breeds. They hunt by smell and sight. The bird dog is
used to retrieve game birds mostly pheasant, quail, and grouse. The
retriever is used for retrieving the kill. They need lots of water.
They mostly retrieve goose and duck.
Training and Care
You should start training it when it is a puppy.
Show them how to follow a line. Kill a coon then hide it leave a
scent and tell your dog to find the coon with a command. You can use
an electric collar to help train it. Teach it to hunt by smell not sight.
To care for your hunting dog it needs plenty of exercise and an average
size home. They also need to be groomed and loved.
Blood Hound Facts
The blood hound is the oldest breed of hound. They have red
eyes. They can follow scent days old. The Blood Hound is sometimes
used to track down lost people. They don’t kill their pray.
They were brought to Britain by William Conqueror. Also they have
a keen sense of smell.
Coonhound Facts
A coonhound is an American breed. They are
black and tan. Their ancestors are blood hounds. They specialize
in raccoons and opossums. They tree a coon until the hunter comes.
Black and tan is more popular as a hunting dog. They can also run
for miles. They need occasional brushing. They often drool,
and they need their ears checked because they use them so much. They
can run for miles only in a jog. Also the Coon Hound can see better
than us because their eyes are set further back in their head.
