Who is the Better Dogman?

[Officially Retired]

The guy who "goes through" a lot of dogs ... and only keeps "the best" ... or the guy who takes his time and brings out the best in each dog?

Curious where folks stand ...

Jack

[Doc Ellis]

Im fascinated by the story of a guy taking other peoples culls/curs and winning into good comp. Dont remember the name but to me that guy must be doing something really right.

if your just going thru the masses waiting for that ace or really good dog it just seems like youre relying on the dogs to do all the work.

this is coming from someone who hates culling so maybe my opinion is slanted.


the guys doing both, and I know theyre out there, are the dogfolks I wish I could, but will prolly never be.

[Officially Retired]

Im fascinated by the story of a guy taking other peoples culls/curs and winning into good comp. Dont remember the name but to me that guy must be doing something really right.
if your just going thru the masses waiting for that ace or really good dog it just seems like youre relying on the dogs to do all the work.
this is coming from someone who hates culling so maybe my opinion is slanted.
the guys doing both, and I know theyre out there, are the dogfolks I wish I could, but will prolly never be.

Ricky Jones is the guy who took Crenshaw's culls and made more winners, Champions, and Grand Champions with Crenshaw's culls than what Crenshaw ever made with what he kept ...

Good point!

Jack

[Acesaun]

The guy who "goes through" a lot of dogs ... and only keeps "the best" ... or the guy who takes his time and brings out the best in each dog?

Curious where folks stand ...

Jack

I always thought keeping the best dog and bringing the best out of him is the name of the game, I'm pretty sure most Dogmen aren't trying to bring the best out of a cur or any dog that's going to detrimental to his program.

[skipper]

Id like to be a combo. I'm always thinking of things that might be giving my dog an edge. Every dog in the yard has earned to be brought up to his full potential. There are other dogmen that would be able to get more out of the dogs, im sure. I'm not that high on myself. We can only do our absolute best for every dog every time. But if a dog doesn't work out. Get rid of it. Ending up with to many dogs will kill your progress.

[TopShelfKennels]

Some folks do/give the very minimum to there dogs and expect greatness from it. Cheap feed, sub-par housing for the dogs, and just poorly kept overal, and some people still blame the dog or line they come from when that type of owner is the problem. Those that give their dogs 100%, and aim for top health and nutrition are the type of dogmen i like to associate with.

[Officially Retired]

Some folks do/give the very minimum to there dogs and expect greatness from it. Cheap feed, sub-par housing for the dogs, and just poorly kept overal, and some people still blame the dog or line they come from when that type of owner is the problem. Those that give their dogs 100%, and aim for top health and nutrition are the type of dogmen i like to associate with.

Bingo. That's the way I see it. Only after the farmer lays the proper soil, care, and maintenance does he have the right to expect the most bountiful harvest.

The minimalist dogman who blames "his dogs" for not turning out, when he never did his complete job as a dogman, is as stupid as the minimalist farmer who blames "his crops" for not turning out, when he never did his complete job as a farmer.

Similarly, the crops that do turn out for the half-ass farmer will never be as healthy as they turn out for the farmer who does everything he can. In the same fashion, really smart dogs need more than just "minimal care" ... and those dogmen who provide minimal care, that I have seen, do not have very smart dogs at all.

JMHO

[Officially Retired]

I always thought keeping the best dog and bringing the best out of him is the name of the game, I'm pretty sure most Dogmen aren't trying to bring the best out of a cur or any dog that's going to detrimental to his program.

So do you think it works the same way with farming? You should only do your best "after" the crops grow ... or do you think that a farmer's best has to be sown every step of the way first if he expects to get the best overall yield?

Jack

[skipper]

Some folks do/give the very minimum to there dogs and expect greatness from it. Cheap feed, sub-par housing for the dogs, and just poorly kept overal, and some people still blame the dog or line they come from when that type of owner is the problem. Those that give their dogs 100%, and aim for top health and nutrition are the type of dogmen i like to associate with.

Agreed

[CYJ]

Ditto Top shelf kennels & CA Jack. Some advice I use to give to a upcoming young dog man. Was not to go looking for the top dog man to pull with in the beginning and learning stages. But to meet as many dog men and note the condition of their dog yards and over all health of their dogs.

See a un kept yard and dogs not up to par. Set up a dog pulling show with that person. If they have the pull weight you want to go with. Better to learn and practice on this type dog man than a seasoned dog man practicing on you. LOL If person is to lazy to take care of the dogs properly will be to lazy to work one right. But make sure to wash the dogs and have a fee that is forfeited for not being on time for weigh in. Or coming in over weight.

Something else to consider, whether a newbie or a seasoned dog man.. No matter how good of a look you took of your dog in the schooling phase. Best to do a cheap or reasonable dog pulling fee on the first event. No matter how good a dog pulls in the schooling. Under dog pulling show conditions on the first go. Anything might happen. Never pay a entry fee you cannot afford to lose. Cheers