Rocky2 14 Posted January 27, 2011 Report Share Posted January 27, 2011 I have a young harrier bitch here 11 months old she has been running with the pack on short hunts since she was 6 or seven months but only started using her nose and hunting herself in the last month or so. She can now hunt out in front of the older hounds but her voice hasnt came yet. Do any of you with experience of hunting harriers or even foxhounds know what age they start to open up at? I know they can all be different but im just wondering. thanks Quote Link to post
thefootman 17 Posted January 28, 2011 Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 There is no hard and fast rule on this , I certainly wouldn't worry about her not giving tounge yet as she is still learning her trade. How big is your pack? Maybe give her a run with just one or two other hounds just to see if the extra responsibility makes the thing click. I have heard of dummy hounds but have not come across them myself. Some hounds are naturally "tight" with their tounge, some lads do not like this, but it never bothers me as I would rather have a hound that is right when it gives tounge, even if it is not that often and that you can rely on than some yoke going around babbling on everything it comes across. Quote Link to post
Rocky2 14 Posted January 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2011 There is no hard and fast rule on this , I certainly wouldn't worry about her not giving tounge yet as she is still learning her trade. How big is your pack? Maybe give her a run with just one or two other hounds just to see if the extra responsibility makes the thing click. I have heard of dummy hounds but have not come across them myself. Some hounds are naturally "tight" with their tounge, some lads do not like this, but it never bothers me as I would rather have a hound that is right when it gives tounge, even if it is not that often and that you can rely on than some yoke going around babbling on everything it comes across. I have three other bitches that are hunting but I usually hunt with a lad that has 3 or four hounds as well. You are right about the extra responsibilty because I have taken her out with my own wee pack of 4 and you could see that she had to work more and not just run along. She's making good progress anyway so I'm happy with her so far. And I know what you mean about them false hounds they'd do your head in! Quote Link to post
Tassa 64 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 I have a harrier bitch and shes light at giving tongue but when she does tongue you know she is close too her fox, this has always been the way she is but i am very happy with her as i have seen a few hounds this season that are tongueing in cover as soon as there in and nothing there. I think they just seem to click and after that she'll not look back. Quote Link to post
Rocky2 14 Posted January 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 I have a harrier bitch and shes light at giving tongue but when she does tongue you know she is close too her fox, this has always been the way she is but i am very happy with her as i have seen a few hounds this season that are tongueing in cover as soon as there in and nothing there. I think they just seem to click and after that she'll not look back. Cheers tassa, just goin to watch her, was out again sunday and she's hunting better with every day. Its great watching young dogs improve. Quote Link to post
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