Tools...Toys...or Recreational Pets?

[Easttex91]

  that about sums it up easttex .  different tools for different jobs . and if one tools job is to lay at my feet and keep me company it's doing it's job 

Lol well mine are million dollar dogs when it comes to being around my feet

[T-Bob Parker]

I see mine as employees. I care for them, some deeply. I care about their health and well being for both the sake of my ventures success, but also on a more personal level because I like em. I care about their family and their work ethic, they're abilities and their place in my organization, and I want the best for and from each one
Of them.

All that being said, I recognize that I am the most important member of my organization and my decisions affect all of our successes. I'm harder on myself than I am on them.

And I reserve the right to fire lazy, tardy, or problematic employees.

[Reuben]

I see mine as employees. I care for them, some deeply. I care about their health and well being for both the sake of my ventures success, but also on a more personal level because I like em. I care about their family and their work ethic, they're abilities and their place in my organization, and I want the best for and from each one
Of them.

All that being said, I recognize that I am the most important member of my organization and my decisions affect all of our successes. I'm harder on myself than I am on them.

And I reserve the right to fire lazy, tardy, or problematic employees.

T-bob...I like what you said...x1000 

I agree...but my decicisions affects our performance but I tend to hunt with my dogs...I have to hunt by the rules of whosever property and we hunt their style...but when I lead I hunt with my dogs and I will lead them and wait on them until they bay up or come back...just what ever is right for that time...we are a team...

When I keep a dog it is because I like him or her...liking the dog is a big thing for me...liking a dog gives me lots of pleasure...

dog folks talk about great dogs like if they were talking about a person...

losing a great and favorite dog is hard but I will keep hunting...but hunting won't be as fun for a good while...

BUT...if any dog in my pack has a serious injury that requires attention that will shutdown the hunt...and no hog is ever worth taking alive if it looks like he might cripple or kill a dog...

I really can't find a catagory...because they are a cross between a pet and a tool...these dogs will die for us so that says a lot about them...

[Dogs,hogs,coons]

I would say recreational pets. However I don't treat them like pets and I'm not as hard on them as some people so there not tools. This is more of a passion not a serious business that I must bring money home. JMO

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

Guess to categorize my own beliefs. 

Tools. And nothing more while they are being utilized.  Anything more than that I feel starts getting into the pet aspect.  And that's where the emotional level kicks in.  Never have wanted to fall into that category for fear of being susceptible to favoritism on something more than raw ability and drive VS a more attractive personality.  They get petted when they accomplish goals not for laying around and lickin their rears.

I do however believe in the pet aspect being applicable in a working dogs life........When it gets Retired!  Its earned everything and achieved all the goals.  Wanna lay around with the kids and wife and get petted all day ....no problem ......... Work till the boss says Good Enough and the porch is yours. 

Am just like the rest.. dont like losing one....but have several more behind and beside to take its place and continue hunting. 

[Bowtech99]

This has been a good topic, i've enjoyed reading the responses. Thanks guys

[Reuben]

This has been a good topic, i've enjoyed reading the responses. Thanks guys

x2...Bowtech99

[Black Smith]

Most of mine are tools because I think all dog should have to work for food!!! With that said I do have 1 Catahoula that will bay a hog if put on the right track but my wife and kids feel in love with her and begged me not to hunt her after her first beauty scare so now she is a yard dog!!!lol..

[jdt]

everything on my place except the kids under 9 ( and their ponies )  make their own way . my dogs make a part of my living . my best dog ain't my favorite , in fact he agravates me more than the rest of them put together . lol

but everything i feed has a pupose all the way down to the 3 yo red headed girl 

[Bryant]

Guess to categorize my own beliefs. 

Tools. And nothing more while they are being utilized.  Anything more than that I feel starts getting into the pet aspect.  And that's where the emotional level kicks in.  Never have wanted to fall into that category for fear of being susceptible to favoritism on something more than raw ability and drive VS a more attractive personality.  They get petted when they accomplish goals not for laying around and lickin their rears.

I do however believe in the pet aspect being applicable in a working dogs life........When it gets Retired!  Its earned everything and achieved all the goals.  Wanna lay around with the kids and wife and get petted all day ....no problem ......... Work till the boss says Good Enough and the porch is yours. 

Am just like the rest.. dont like losing one....but have several more behind and beside to take its place and continue hunting. 

This pretty much sums it up for me also.  My hunting dogs are strictly tools.  The only time they come out of the kennels is when we hunt, and upon returning home they go right back.  My sons take turns feeding, and there are times where I don't even see the dogs for a week or so.  I don't pet them, don't play with them...they are for work.  Been doing it that way for a very long time and they nor myself have ever seemed to have any complaints.

[Lance]

They're tools. I also view my dogs as employees and if they are'nt doing their job then I fire them.

[mustangman]

They are tools when they establish themselves as productive dogs. When they are young i give them my upmost attencion. Every dog that i have ever had gets a chance more than most people would do. Try to bring out all the good things that they show.If they dont progress then i try to find a fitting place for them. Culled a bunch but found homes for a bunch to. I had a well bred mountain cur/birddog cross that was a excelant bred dog that never did anything outside the baypen. Thought about culling him for a long time. One saturday morning i was headed to the pen to do just that and my phone rang and one of my buds was looking for a dog for an elderly lady that had just lost her husband. I carried him over to her house and turned him loose in her 2 acre back yard and he treed a big fat squirrel. To this day she loves that dog to death. Became her lil bud and when he aint treeing squirrels he is laying right beside her or in her lap while she is petting him. In march and april is when i make my money with my dogs. Any other time they are recreation dogs. Pet them when they do good. Other than that when they establish themselves in my kennel they get put back in their pens as soon as i get home from the hunt. Check them real good for cuts and such but other than that they dont get petted or handled.

[bob]

Im with kevin also , recreational pets , and if I had a dog killed you better be ready to see tears in a grown mans eyes , Id hope it was dark and yes im done , its time to dig a grave and say my good bys to my best friend

[justincorbell]

I see mine as employees. I care for them, some deeply. I care about their health and well being for both the sake of my ventures success, but also on a more personal level because I like em. I care about their family and their work ethic, they're abilities and their place in my organization, and I want the best for and from each one
Of them.

All that being said, I recognize that I am the most important member of my organization and my decisions affect all of our successes. I'm harder on myself than I am on them.

And I reserve the right to fire lazy, tardy, or problematic employees.

T-bob...I like what you said...x1000 

I agree...but my decicisions affects our performance but I tend to hunt with my dogs...I have to hunt by the rules of whosever property and we hunt their style...but when I lead I hunt with my dogs and I will lead them and wait on them until they bay up or come back...just what ever is right for that time...we are a team...

When I keep a dog it is because I like him or her...liking the dog is a big thing for me...liking a dog gives me lots of pleasure...

dog folks talk about great dogs like if they were talking about a person...

losing a great and favorite dog is hard but I will keep hunting...but hunting won't be as fun for a good while...

BUT...if any dog in my pack has a serious injury that requires attention that will shutdown the hunt...and no hog is ever worth taking alive if it looks like he might cripple or kill a dog...

I really can't find a catagory...because they are a cross between a pet and a tool...these dogs will die for us so that says a lot about them...

I couldn't agree more with you Reuben..........some of the hunters need to read and then re-read what I highlighted in red........I'm all for catchin em alive but I see it as ignorant when someone gets dogs beat down so they can feel manly and say that they caught the big bad hog alive.........just doesn't make any sense to me..........I don't go to the woods looking to get hurt and I don't bring my dogs to the woods looking to get them hurt........the more I hunt by myself the more I like the bay and shoot method, lol plus when I shoot a hog my dogs do their own version of "roll out" hahahaha........they may not be going after another hog but they dang sure don't stick around!

[jimco]

Im with kevin also , recreational pets , and if I had a dog killed you better be ready to see tears in a grown mans eyes , Id hope it was dark and yes im done , its time to dig a grave and say my good bys to my best friend

            A big X 2 for me

[djhogdogger]

I guess I would have to say tool.

 They deffinately are not pets because if they do not do their expected job, they will be replaced. Unless it is because they are too old or because of injuries. But at the same time, I feel deep affection and gratitude for the job that they do for us. I am in awe of some of the things that they do.

 They are not toys because they are here to do a job and when we go to work we take it serious..... even when it is FUN!!!!!


 A living, breathing animal that is used as a tool will naturally become part of the family. They are there to do a specific task but we interact with them every day. They make our lives easier. And for this, we appretiate them, care for them and protect them.

I don't know any hog doggers that wouldnt fight for their dogs.

[jimco]

I guess I would have to say tool.

 They deffinately are not pets because if they do not do their expected job, they will be replaced. Unless it is because they are too old or because of injuries. But at the same time, I feel deep affection and gratitude for the job that they do for us. I am in awe of some of the things that they do.

 They are not toys because they are here to do a job and when we go to work we take it serious..... even when it is FUN!!!!!


 A living, breathing animal that is used as a tool will naturally become part of the family. They are there to do a specific task but we interact with them every day. They make our lives easier. And for this, we appretiate them, care for them and protect them.

I don't know any hog doggers that wouldnt fight for their dogs.

   Well put dj , I too think you can interact with them even though they are considered tools.

[boone823]

Tools to do a job

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

Im with kevin also , recreational pets , and if I had a dog killed you better be ready to see tears in a grown mans eyes , Id hope it was dark and yes im done , its time to dig a grave and say my good bys to my best friend

Just had a question and by all means please dont take it as critical. 

Have you lost a dog yet? 

One of the reasons I ask is due to witnessing alot of folks with the same mentality. 
Great guys all of them and some really experienced dogmen. But the first floors alot to the point of completely walking away from this sport ....never fully recovering. 

Guess my main question to them was......why did this particular sport attract your attention..over other types of dog huntin? 

Your point of view  is actually intriguing to me and has my curiosity meowing.  Lol

Again not bashing in anyway or putting your view down .....would just like to know the internal reasoning for your stance.

Thanks for actually giving an honest opinion. 

[KevinN]

I've seen a very well known dog man and promoter of our sport come almost to tears when he thought his bulldog was near death...blood covering a swath of grass 10 foot wide....bulldog laying in middle of it. Wasn't cut...just near heat stroke....same ole story of hog breaking...CD catching up at next bay 1/2 mile away and catching hog. Just gave out before we got there. Dog lives but he was retired after that hunt.

I wouldn't feel the same way over just any dog I own...only a select few. But those select few...it's going to break my heart when/if I lose them.

It's different when you buy a good to great dog and it dies. Yes, I would feel a great loss...but it would be more like....just being upset that I lost an integral part of my team...that I may not be as successful as I would otherwise be.

The dogs I've raised from pups that have turned into genuine hunters are the dogs I'm talking about. The ones I've bonded with...spent hours and hours training and they have became dogs. With me...there is just a bond there that goes real deep.