I want to say Marshall on here had a miniature schnauzer that was a hog finding machine. Not sure how that came about, but I guess any dog can learn to be a hog dog.
I would be concerned after watching HGW that a dane would let go. He looked a little soft mouthed and gummy. I understand that some of them may catch like a bulldog, but so do some Catahoulas and BMCs. Just because some individuals catch well without going soft mouthed does not mean that the breed can be counted on as a sure enough catch dog breed. I would be a whole lot more worried about a Dane pup turning out than I would a bulldog. By sheer numbers, I would bet that far more bullies catch hard than go soft, hence the reason they are considered the standard.
Perhaps you could reasonably count on a Dane being a help dog, that way you would not be disappointed if it did not lock and hold like a bulldog (which in my own opinion is the only way a catch dog is safe). However, you would sure enough have a LOT of money into your pup by the time he was ready to try out. Holy cow, I bet they eat more than a horse.
Cheers
M
For a catch dog I"ll have to bet on the Pit... Running catch dog would be 1/2 hound 1/2 pit or 1/2 mtn cur 1/2 pit.
