Quote:
Originally Posted by Canuck44
Is training a dog for cougars like training a bird dog or is it more a matter of genetics and getting the dogs on the scent?
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Even within a specific breed (eg Treeing Walker)there are different genetics that may help or hinder a dogs ability to hunt lion successfully under a wide varity of conditions. In fact, there might be a vast difference in abilities within a litter, just depends on the breeding. Many breeds of dogs would not know what to do if you were to put their nose in a hot lion track, so genetics to trail is a required trait. And as was mentioned, to be successful at lion hunting the breed/dog must also have the ability to locate a treed lion and stay with it. That's part genetics as well as training/experience. There are proven lines in hounds that will trail an old track. So unless your extremely lucky at finding a fresh track or only plan on chasing a hot track you should first consider hounds that are from proven cold nose lines (able to follow an old track). There is a place for mixed packs and even the inclusion of non tree hounds in a pack such as the Airedale,although it is not necessary to be successful at Lion hunting.
First, lion hunting is not for the weak of heart in any way. A lion is the most effective killer that prowles the woods and can kill your part time hound/ couch dog in a heartbeat. Your pointer faces very little danger in a bird hunt,every lion hunt has the potential to be deadly. A dog that shows no respect to a lion will surely be killed when faced with a lion that refuses to tree. Dogs that don't have the ability to bay a lion will probably not last long either,it only takes a few minutes of silence for a Lion to go from treed to dog killer.
Starting from scratch it can be a very difficult and disappointing process trying to train hounds for Lion. Could you be unsuccessful at something for several years and still continue? So,unless you start with trained hounds or have someone with trained hounds to help, it will be difficult, very difficult. Having no previous experience with hounds further compounds the process. Then you need the equipment,vehicles,trackers,trainers,boxes and experience. Then you have to ice in your veins for the day you have to come home and tell your wife and kids that a Lion killed their pet.
Ive started my training @ 5 weeks using a scent drag, don't overdo it. Then I ran drags in the bush. In season find a fresh track and walking it with them and continue to encourage them to return to that scent Think years not hours or days.