Over the years, I have had 10 beagles, a feist, and a few mutts. One mutt, all the beagles and the feist are/were hunters. The mixed breed was part Lab and the rest came from a good neighborhood. She somehow knew what you were hunting that day. She'd hunt coons at night with my buddies hounds, hunt quail and bunnies, retrieve all birds including ducks and doves. Just a great dog. Had breast cancer and was put down at 13.
Now for the worst hunting dog. That's Donor, so named because he has a universal blood type for dogs. I inherited him when he was about 6. 95 lbs. of boxer, pit bull and great dane. Loves kids, family and other animals (buddied up to a skunk last year).
His strong point is he's death on strangers when no one is home, and when you are home, he keeps them under close surveillance. a couple of years ago my son took him grouse hunting on our farm. Jay shot and the dog was at the back porch barking to be let in before the echo of the shot died out. He is superb at eating, sleeping and gas production, but would rather make friends with wild critters.
I've always found the best way to train a young dog is to run him with good experienced hunters. If he gets rude or makes mistakes, they soon let him know.
Pete
