I recently lost my beagle of 12 years that I used for blood trailing. She was mostly a house pet, but I trained her early to trail since I always took her with me as a companion. I'm curious what breeds or mixes people use for blood trailing. 12 years ago, I was looking for a Bavarian Mountain Hound but didn't want to pay the costs to have one imported as they were not all that prevalent in the United States. Still might go with that breed but would be interested to research others. Ideally, not more than 40-50lbs as the wife doesn't take kindly to larger dogs. Also prefer a more docile breed like a hound than a hyper breed. I don't solicit tracking services. Just mainly do favors for friends and adjacent landowners. Thanks in advance.

A Kopov would be a good choice.......Jeff Richardson in Peoria, IL has them

Original Mountain Cur, would be an excellent choice.

I used to love watching my 9lb Chihuahua blood trail . Was my hunting buddy for almost 15 years

Ten crazy ass pitbulls released in the bad side of a city during a night time demonstration.There will be a blood trails going in every direction.

I’ve really been impressed with the Lacy dogs I have seen work.

TX Blue Lacey’s have been amazing that I’ve seen. I’ve also seen several other mixed breeds do amazingly well, mostly of cur lineage.

Lacys are great dogs but he specified he doesnt want a hyper dog......Those things are about as wiry as it gets. That was the reason I recommended a Kopov....They're bred to be very laid back

Wirehaired dachshunds would also be another good choice for a pet-tracker combo if you're just wanting to track for friends and family......

Woodrow was very impressive when I got to see him work.

How would You get in contact with him and how much does a puppy cost?

They were $750 when I bought mine but that's been 10 years ago......

Richardson Farm Outfitters
217-285-1300

Woodrow was technically a mutt……He was a cross between a wirehaired and a cocker spaniel I believe it was. He had a lot of aggressive prey drive in him which was what made him great and turned out to be his downfall as well…..It can happen to any of them but I’ve found over the years that if you’re going to do very much tracking for the public you better get a little bit bigger dog that’s a good swimmer and can hold its own in a water situaton. That’s really one of my only knocks on the Kopov….They arent great swimmers....I have to be really careful not to let Otis get himself in a situation where he gets drowned.

My brother's lab took to it naturally and does pretty good. Didn't have to train him or anything.

Here's another number if that one doesnt work......309-267-9939

they tough dogs too

personally I want a dog big enough to stop a wounded deer.

Fred , i had a big male Doberman one time that took up running deer by chance training a couple walkers hounds . hed catch a wounded one ,, other dogs would bay one up but not catch .

ever body called him ding-a-ling because of the bell i put on him . he would them long legged walkers in his dust too .

dog was funny as hell . you kill a deer in front of him hed straddle the deer and wouldn't let the other dogs get close . then once i guess he showed the other it was his hed come back to me . he wouldn't do that if he wasn't first to the deer .

ive had some good dogs some were a little strange though lol

I’m a beagle guy but if I was you I’d go with Mt.Cur as well. Most I’ve seen are very biddable and would fit that role well. Plus you could thin your coons out and kill a few squirrels if you wanted as well.

Thanks everyone for the input. @CNC, I like the traits of the Kopov and will be exploring that more.