Hi all! I have a soon to be 5 year old Beagle mix dog (named Walden) that I have had for just about a year now. He is 50% Beagle and 50% German Shepherd Dog. 55 pounds, great conformation, no health problems, easy keeper. I got him from a shelter in Elmira. He lived with 2 elderly people for the first 4 years of his life before one of them passed away and the other was unable to care for him due to physical limitations.
Since I have had him, I have changed him from a couch potato to an experienced outdoor hound. I have also found that his nose runs his life - he is very good at sniffing out and chasing rabbits and other small animals. The longest he has ever hiked with me is 17 miles and his longest run is 11 miles. He will travel to follow a scent and his recall is nonexistent when he has a scent. He has never ran away - he always comes back, but it may take some time if he is on a track. He does not care about birds, only fur.
Here are the main reasons I am looking for a different situation for him. All of my hunting experience is with deer, so I am not a very knowledgeable scent hound trainer nor do I see myself entering that world soon. I spend most of my time in the woods running and have steered away from hunting lately. I live in a dense living situation, with lots of neighbors. While the humans are not a problem at all (Walden loves all humans, kids included) the dogs are a problem. As a vet student, I have a lot of friends with dogs, so this is an issue. Walden is very reactive, though can make friends with most dogs (calm males and just about any female) after consistent visits and positive experiences. I think he would be able to hunt with a pack that he is familiar with. He is more interested in sniffing than socializing. He was neutered at 4 years old, and he unfortunately retained some inter-male aggression. He is also not cat safe.
If you are looking for a scent hound that is very intelligent, has great endurance, and is a joy to be around in the house, give me a shout via personal message or on this forum. No money is necessary - just the right home. I will never put him in a shelter - he has a home with me no matter what. But I pride myself in knowing where an animal's potential lies, and this dog is a hunter. Thanks for reading.
