By request

My personal definition of a Top Shelf Hog Dog is a dog that CONSISTENTLY finds and stops hogs. They possess a singular focus on FINDING and STOPPING hogs by whatever means necessary. If you lay eyes on a hog 7 out of 10 times that they start one, you have a Hog Dog. They must be straight on hogs. Pursuing Off Game of any kind eliminates them from being a HOG Dog in my eyes. You might have a super star young dog BUT if he trashes, he's not a Top Shelf Hog Dog yet! They must be able and willing to do the job alone to be a Top Shelf Hog Dog. Any subject matter that is not directly related to how effective they are at FINDING and STOPPING Hogs is simply a matter of preference and opinion.
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My personal definition of a Top Shelf Catch Dog is a dog that CONSISTENTLY CATCHES and HOLDS whatever game they are put on. If you CATCH 7 out of 10 hogs you release your catch dog on, you have a Top Shelf Catch Dog. Any subject matter that is not directly related to how effective they are at CATCHING and HOLDING Hogs is simply a matter of preference and opinion.
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I have seen 2 Top Shelf examples of Hog Dogs and 3 Top Shelf Catch Dogs in the 8 years I have been hog dogging. I have had the pleasure of being in the woods with a handful of top shelf STRIKE dogs, many good bay & catch help dogs, and many solid catch dogs. Not many dogs of this caliber out there. They are rare, unique, and special. They should be celebrated and appreciated if you have one! This is why most of us (myself included) are forced to assemble a pack of Specialists who work well together and play a particular role in getting hogs caught.