Gsd coonhunting?

[Amandajo1985]

Ok, my bf has coonhounds and is pretty into hunting. He has some pups in training. He caught a coon last night and when my gsd saw it in the roll cage he went crazy, bf made a comment that he can only hope his coonhound pups react that way. So my question to him was, why can't shep coon hunt? He kinda laughs and says "bc he doesn't have the nose" now if gsd can track all these other things its not totally out of the realm of possibility for him to be just as capable as his coonhound right? I'm not saying I want him to, but just to know I'm right and he could do it.......lol

[Shade]

With training who knows, only one way to find out

[TimberGSD2]

Kya went coonhunting with me the better part of her years. SHe was fantastic and loved doing it.

She didn't tree like the hounds, would stay on the tree but not howl. And when they came out of the tree, well we will just say she was VERY good at that part.

[Amandajo1985]

Lol! I knew I couldn't be the first one thinking about doing this! Lol did she pick up cold tracks or just fresh ones? and did you ever have trouble with her running trash?

[TimberGSD2]

She didn't run out as much as the hounds did, she stayed where she could see me mostly, until she caught a fresh track. She seemed to run track better then the hounds because once she was on she was on! She never seemed to veer off track and would even wind scent.

When I first started bringing her with me the other hunters I was running with would laugh, until we got to the tree and my shepherd was treeing while their hounds were still confused. If I didn't bring her (which was rare, unless we were getting ready for a competition) they would ask where she was!

[Amandajo1985]

Nice! I can't wait to show my bf! Lol he wants me to go at night with him...well now maybe I can take my own dog ;-)

[jocoyn]

I am sure a shepherd can hunt. They are used widely in SAR because of both the hunt AND the biddability and the fact that they dont tent to range way out.

Most of the coonhound folks I know consider them to be expendable dogs and if one hunts he eats and if one winds up in the next county they put out a coat and come back the next day.

I think the GSDs attacment to its hander and desire to partner with someone would be the biggest hindereance.

[Lilie]

I have a Blue Lacy puppy that I am currently training for blood trailing. I use my GSD to help him with nerve. My GSD is very strong nerved, does not react to gun shots, thunderstorms, loud noises etc. He is also very obediant. That really helps when you are working with a crack puppy!

I agree with Nancy, watching my two dogs work a track, my GSD will continue to check on me..while the Lacy hears/sees/smells nothing but the track.

[jocoyn]

Plus there is nothing more melodic than hearing the coon hounds running on a warm summer night.

[TimberGSD2]

Originally Posted by jocoyn

Plus there is nothing more melodic than hearing the coon hounds running on a warm summer night.

I miss this the most! There are no more places to hunt around us. People aren't as friendly about letting your dogs run on their property as they used to be.

I rehomed my last coonhound (Kya continually beat her up) about 7 years ago. I miss the howling.