Dog men of Yesterday

[EWO]

This may be a little too broad but I think successful people will be successful people despite the era. The great dog men of yester year figured some things out, put in some time and had great successes. Todays successful dog man is no different.

Sort of like the Top 5 dog men from the sixties all had 60's science and information available to them. They used it and maybe some of them were in the 70's while the gist of the group was still plugging along in with 60's information. The guys doing really well in the 90's all had 90's science and information at their disposal and they used.

Most of the time the successful people just simply use what is available to them better than the guy down the road. Like if Jack's book was written in the 60's a certain number of people would use it and a certain number of people would stick to their version of doing things, maybe 50's or even the 40's. And when people do not use what is available and out there usually they get left behind.

I don't think there is much difference between the eras. EWO

[EWO]

As Jack said, calling the correct weight is huge. Personally, I think it is the foundation to the 'winning' dog. Lots of dogs have a two pound window in which they can perform admirably, some even three. It is simply hard for a really good dog who is smaller to beat a really good dog who is bigger. Calling weight is an art. Lots of times it is the difference between winning and losing when really good dogs are involved.

EWO

[No Quarter Kennel]

I think one of the best traits of highly-active old timers is knowing how to call a weight.

I knew an old-timer who had that down to a science. His selection methods were also superior.

He just knew a good dog when he saw one and could really peg the weight, so he's always have the biggest dog at the smallest weight.

He went into many "top conditioners" and beat their ass because he just knew a dog and would always come with the better dog who was bigger at the weight.

He never conditioned; only handwalked and let the dog drag a 15' chain on a hillside.

His motto was, "Jack, if my dog can't go at least an hour, hard, right off the chain, then I don't need that fucken dog."

Jack

The best dogman I personally know said the exact same thing about 2 weeks ago about his conditioning methods.

I think EWO said it right. Top dogmen of yesterday would be top dogmen of today as well.

However, I do NOT believe the conditioning methods of 50 years ago can compete with today's dogs. Just look at pictures. Dogs were conditioned for marathon fights, therefore, you got marathon fights. Dogs are brought in much stronger now days compared to way back then. Thus, not as many multi-hour matches.

[CYJ]

The best way to learn how to determine a dog's pulling weight and learn the in's and outs of working a dog. Is to pre keep your dogs that you plan to take a good look at. For a future dog show or breeding purposes. The more pre keeps you do the more you will learn. You have a important older stud dog/bitch you are wanting to breed in a month or so, give a four week pre keep. Will improve your breeding success a lot.

These four week pre keeps will teach you all of what you have to do. What items to have on hand to keep your dog strong. What methods and type work equipment will work best for you. You learn how to slowly reduce the dog to it's best weight and strength ratio. Learn how to toughen the dog's feet up and much more. Better understanding of how to feed. Giving enough fluids.

One of the best over all lessons learned will be; does one really have the time and inclination to see it all through. Working a show dog properly is time consuming and hard work. One has to start on a proper time schedule at each main work session. Cannot do it this way or that way according one's whim.


If I was younger and decided to try the ole game again. I would visit dog yards and look for good show dogs and just work the dog. My risks, exposures to the ones that want this breed of dogs done away with, would be greatly reduced. Once the dog show is over return the dog to owner or sent else where to recover in a private place.

All the money and time spent on the care of dog and puppies etc. Could be redirected at providing your show dog with all of your time and attention. Providing the best work equipment, feed, extra money for a vote of confidence. If one lost the dog show, the loss would not be as devastating. Since one could just consider it as Hobby money. LOL

The dog conditioner/handler is the one, that gets to really have all the fun at the end of the day. Today with books like the Pit Bull Bible available along with all these various keep ideas. A beginner today taking their time, not putting the horse before the cart. Can learn and do much better than what was available 30 years ago. Everything back then was hush, hush and finding out this and that was a little here and a little there.

Some of the best dog men I knew were cool under pressure and had a double dose of common sense. That helped them solve problems that cropped up during a keep. Cheers

[EWO]

That is sort of my point about successful people. Back then the best used what was current and what was available. Todays guy does the same. If yesterday's successful guy could compete with today's successful guy he would figure out the why's and what fors and be successful in this era as well.

The difference in the two is the advances in science with feed and supplementation, especially supplementation. The successful dog man will take advantage of everything out there regardless of his generation.

EWO

The best dogman I personally know said the exact same thing about 2 weeks ago about his conditioning methods.

I think EWO said it right. Top dogmen of yesterday would be top dogmen of today as well.

However, I do NOT believe the conditioning methods of 50 years ago can compete with today's dogs. Just look at pictures. Dogs were conditioned for marathon fights, therefore, you got marathon fights. Dogs are brought in much stronger now days compared to way back then. Thus, not as many multi-hour matches.