If you could have only one dog...

Here's my two pennies. As soon as you mentioned shooting. Loose dogs should be your answer. I see it like this if your walk hunting. Long range dogs ain't your answer. Especially if the dog your going to be running isn't properly tone broke. Tone broke mean. If dog is out of pocket. It hears that tone, it's coming back. Or goofing around etc. to me, People think "long range" is cool. Instead of some people that actually NEED deep dogs. Me personally can't hunt, and won't hunt extremely deep dogs. My places won't hold em. I'll be in trouble quick. If your walking, like I do. Or a buggie and road somewhat. Find you somthing 300-500 yards out, with plenty of bottom, in case it's needed. You still mite find yourself 2 miles out, but at least you had s handle on the dog. When it struck. After that it's up to the hog. keep a handle on the situation. Chit can hit the fan really quick, especially being new. I'd start out with something you can handle and slowly start going up to 800-1500 range dogs. If that's even what you need. Don't burn yourself, you may find out you don't need that sort of range. If you got a deep dog. It starts a hog at a mile, and that hogs runs. Your feet gunna be Hurtin, come next day. Carrying a loaded gun 2+ miles through water and brush and hills and slips, and bumps. And tangle ups in brush briars, don't sound no fun. Especially at night..