EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Does anyone consistently catch good size hogs with a catch dog that doesn't wear a vest

Yea over here where I'm from 90% of us don't run vest. The other 10% percent are just more of show doggers if you know what I mean.

Where are you from?

I ran my old Clifford dog most of his life with no vest... caught tons of big hogs with him.

I would still run them without a vest when it's warm today if it wasn't for the lightweight vests that are made these days. I worry more about the heat than the hog.

Mike what kinda vest do u run when u do put one on

I run a Devestator by Wild Boar USA... very lightweight vest.

Vest on RCD and CD. Cut collars on rest. I look at my vest and see the cuts in it and know without it I woulda put a lot of stitches in him. I see it as insurance. Won't completely protect ya but it is better than nothing.


Shotgun
Arkansas

I'm from Alabama. It's a pile of hog hunters around here but only a few real ones If I know I'm going after a big hog one someone has coming to a game camera or something or seeing a track I'll put a vest on my dog if it's not mid summer but just a average day of hunting I don't put one on them. It's a 50/50 on them damned if you do ,damned if you don't kind of thing but some people won't leave home without them and that's good their trying to do the best they can for their dogs in the surroundings they hunt in. For me I look at the heat as a big factor and getting hung in vines in the water and drowning but it's nothing wrong with a vest or without one your option

I was thinking bout trying a pigga frigga I have tried a few different vests on him seems like the leg holes  r r too small and they restrict his movement.

Have u tried a custom vest? Some companies will build to ur measurement and once u get it if it doesn't fit just right will alter as needed. Not all dogs are built the same and small medium large and xtra large don't always cut it.


Shotgun
Arkansas

I don't hardly run one, but haven't owned very many bulldogs worth a vest.  If I'm track hunting or know it's a big hog, then I make it a point to put it on, if it's not the middle of summer and the hog isn't breaking real bad.

To each his own, with or without is just a preference.  I sure like a bulldog that, after a few hard whippings from big hogs, learns how to control a hog versus fighting one. It makes a huge difference.

I think a lot of my catch dog.  I'm not real experienced, only bout a year and a half. Just wondering how people with more experience does it. My catch dog has a tendency of running a hog down that breaks and catching by him self. I have watched him several times on the garmin go to a bay it will break before he gets there and he will pass our bay dogs and run it down.

  It used to be real easy to find bulldogs but the last 10 years, it has gotten a lot harder to find a real catchdog. I am talking about a dog that has no dog or people aggression, one that seldom misses & is a ear dog.
  When I have a good dog like that, a dog that puts his life on the line everytime you cut him loose to a bay, I am going to do everything in my power to protect him. To many varibles that might hold you up getting there & that vest might be the only thing that saves him. JMO
  KKnot, I had a dog just like what you are describing. He could run a hog down quick but one day I forgot my vest, hog boke before he got there & race was on in thick briars. He caught the hog about 1/2 mile away & was cut down. He died on the way to the vet.

What kinda vest would u recommend for him. Cajun

That is why I run a vest. With a RCD that does it all and is on the ground the whole time I don't know how far he could be when he catches. I will say this once he passes a 1/4 I start easing up.


Shotgun
Arkansas

I don't know how many of yall have ever seen a bulldog shredded by a bad hog..... But it sure changed my thinking on vests. When u get to a Bay and your dog is shredded with intestines hanging out and bleeding out still caught on the ear it makes u stop and think about vests. I know some people think hog dogs are just tools that u can pick up or lay down any old time. But I see things a little differently and my dogs and I are partners. I try to protect them any way I can cause they work hard for me and If that means not hunting when it's too hot to safely run a vest then so be it!  Just my thoughts to each his own I say!!

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 A vest will not always save them tho. One day we got on a hog like setxhogdogs is describing. Catchdogs were sent to a bay 40 yards a way & it only took us a minute to get there. Bulldog was gutted. Pics. are way to graphic to put on here but got the dog to the vet & the Vet saved him that day, not the vest.lol Glad we had two bulldogs on that hog. Got the hog & the bulldog was still caught. I still prefer a vest tho.

It's a chance everytime you turn loose.  When you track hunt and specifically go to the woods to catch big hogs and pass on sows and shoats and decent hogs for a chance at a big hog, then it's truly hard to keep a pack in tip top shape, no matter what you do. 

I agree 100% Ben!

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Thanks guys for the info. Those of u that do run a vest can u see a noticeable difference in the performance of ur dog.  as far as him being nimble on his feet and movement of him. I have watched shank my catch dog clear woven wire fences or brush that are chest high no problem. then the vests that I have tried on him he seems like he can barely jump on the tailgate.

You have to find a vest that fits your dog.  Not every vest is for every dog.  Personally the best vests I've seen and liked the most, weren't nothing but what people are calling bay vests.  I like em light, flexible and half tore up to make sure they're real pliable.

The one I run now doesn't bother my dog at all. It is a custom vest. I can't see anywhere it binds him. He can run all day in it with no raw spots.


Shotgun
Arkansas

You know I got some very gritty bmc I don't run  vest on them no way. My catch dogs have the best I can afford they don't go without it if its to hot for vest I don't go. Even with the good gear you can still lose dogs seen them get smashd to death by big hogs.

x2 on getting a good bulldog today...The last 2 pups I bought were some of the best looking pups one could buy...looks, speed, stamina and about the size I like...but they were not catch dogs at 1.5 years of age...used to be in the 1980's - 1990's almost any bulldog out of the pound would catch an ear and not back down no matter what...

you get a good bull dog nowadays and it should be well taken care of because a good bulldog is hard to find in my opinion...unless one breeds bulldogs for catch dogs it is the luck of the draw in getting a good one in my opinion...

I'm with ya there bay vest 1/2 size I do not like full vests period had one once I traded for a 22 that was just too hot too much restriction way too heavy when wet it just wasn't right for my dog couldn't run as fast or get through the thick stuff like in a 1/2 vest... my cd is going on 6yrs old and when he is vested its 1/2 right now I run wild boar usa defender bay

I got one of the old camouflage cut vest got Velcro on top and two straps I don't remember who made it but I did retire one bulldog and he wore it and caught more than his fair share of big hogs. My best advice in saving a catch dog is to use two with or without a vest what ever you like and try to time them to getting to a bay at the same time. One bulldog is alright but it's usually a matter of time before you will be looking for another. Vest are good but  are not 100% guarantee you will bring your dog home

I would have a bunch of dead dogs if not for vest I run some with out but most vest up vet bills are high and good dogs are even harder to find just my opion. Any vest will work but you can sure tell different in quality