good dog for widerness living

[owl_girl]

before i move back up north i need a dog. one that can help me hunt (silently), track, carry or pull my stuff and guard/watch and will be good with children. i know a lot of this will depend on the dogs individual temperament but breed plays a big roll as well.

this rules out german shepherd because their backs structure isnt good for supporting weight and over time could hurt their backs.

i need a dog with a high attention span

this rules out labs

it needs it to have a cold hardy coat.

this rules out a bunch of dogs

it cant be too uncommon or rare cause i dont have the $$

i was thinking a husky but i never herd of any one using them for hunting or tracking though i know they have a high pray drive but i couldnt find any info on the method they use to hunt or if its silent.

i finally decided on the elkhound which meets all my qualifications and sounds really smart and its fairly common.

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"Elkhounds are used to hunt moose two ways, either as a loshund (free running) or as a bandhund (on an 8 to 10 foot leash with harness). If an Elkhound is trained as a loshund, the dog is allowed to try to find the elg on his own, either by open scent, or by tracking it down. This is called free-ranging. The Elkhound is taken to an area likely to be inhabited by moose, and then released off lead. The dog usually ranges around the area and sometimes finds a small knoll where he can stand on his hind legs to catch the scent. When the dog has detected the scent, he reports back to the hunter and then takes off into the woods out of sight but not without letting the hunter see which direction he is heading. The dog tracks the moose silently and reports back periodically to the hunter. When the dog sights the moose, he approaches silently; and then when he has gotten close enough to stand the moose at bay, he begins to bark. The moose, will sometimes lunge at the dog. This is where the dog's boldness, courage, and intelligence are essential - as well as such physical attributes as a short back, good leg length and the ability to bounce out of the way like a rubber ball.

On those occasions where the moose will break into a run, the dog follows along silently. He never barks while the moose is on the run. the moose eventually will come to a stop once again. If the hunter hears the dog barking, he knows that the dog has made a stand, and that he need only follow the direction of the barking. If the dog should fall silent, the hunter knows that the moose is on the run and the hunter will wait until he once again hears the barking. When the dog has found the moose, he barks and keeps it at bay for as long as it takes for the hunter to get in a position for the kill.

When an Elkhound is used as a bandhund, he is placed on an 8 to 10 foot lead and does his hunting by scent or tracking to locate the moose. The dog will instinctively use the wind when trying to locate it, always leading the hunter up against the wind. By doing this, the dog can scent the moose without the moose being able to scent or hear the dog and hunter.

When the dog finds fresh moose tracks his pace quickens and he works with intensity to locate the animal. The dog has to be absolutely quite at all times during tracking. The dog will indicate to the hunter that the moose is close, by either standing up on his hind legs and sniffing the air, dropping his tail from the curled position, or raising the hackles on his back, then the elkhound is commanded to sit or lie down, so as to be out of the line of fire between the hunter and the moose."

http://www.elkhound.net/huntingelkhound.htm

if i was stuck in the woods for a long time id want that. sorry if i was boring anyone this is a little long but i just thought it sounded like such an interesting wilderness dog

[Pal334]

I think someone like Jason can give some insight. I myself am a big bred type, but don't have enough background to give you any real advice

[crashdive123]

Yep - what Pal said. Jason can probably give you some good advice.

[wildWoman]

You will find an electronic collar a huge help if you are set on getting a dog with hunting instinct. Dogs with a strong hunting instinct tend to become deaf to all things around them, including your calling, when off on a really fresh scent. With an electronic collar, you can jerk them out of their dream and y can also train your dog to different commands with the collar. That way, you can command your dog even when out of sight and earhot, or if you need to give a command silently because there is game close by.

Jason sees it differently I'm sure, but most of the huskies I've known up here are a real pain in the woods. Tales abound (from our neighbours, friends, my boyfriend etc) of their huskies taking off after some game and coming back when it pleased them, hours or days later. Maybe less dominant and older huskies would feel more obliged to stick around, but basically, they're bred to run all day and until fairly recently in history had to often hunt for their own meal, so who can blame them. They need to be worked, that is run for hours, which most people end up not having the time for.

I know of a bear specialist up here who has two elkhounds and those two are excellent bear dogs.

I actually would recommend a standard poodle to you...I know they look kinda silly but they are extremely smart and what's even more, extremely eager to please. They are interested in doing what you want which makes working and being with a dog a lot more fun IMO. They have a good nose too and actually used to be retrievers, and are not as hyperactive as most of the working breeds are. You can teach most dogs how to track.

Be aware that moose kill dogs quite often...they are used to dealing with packs of wolves. We don't let our dogs approach moose closely. A moose usually just runs a short distance and then stands its ground. A dog that keeps bothering a moose can find itself stomped on pretty quick.

[owl_girl]

I myself am a big bred type

that is a big breed. weighs as much as a husky. its a couple inches shorter though.

[Pal334]

that is a big breed. weighs as much as a husky. its a couple inches shorter though.

Correct. I was referring to my true "love" a bull mastiff. It would not fit your crteria very well. But should not be a problem for me in New Jersey (where I live) or upstate NY where I will be going.

[owl_girl]

wildwoman, id prefer to avoid the electronic collar if i can. im very accustom to dominant dog and know how to handle them. i probably wont need the collar but ill consider it at that time if i do. huskys are very dominant, though the females aren't so bad. id assume elkhounds is about the same with dominance and i can handle that.

i would hunt on a leash so that shouldnt be a big problem. if i hunted the free rang style i wouldnt use a collar because thats not how this breed was bred to hunt. there not suppose to hunt the same style as golden retrievers or those breads. your not suppose to direct it or interfere.

this dog was bred for moose hunting (elghund) means moose dog, "elkhound" is a mistranslation. it also hunted bear and cougar and was used for this by vikings and is still used for this all the time in norway. its bred to have amazing reflexes and speed and have good judgment. so i think if i train it good it should be a good dog for what i need

i dont know if a poodle would do good in alaskas wilderness protecting me from bears and hulling my stuff. i know they are good dogs but i think an elkhound would be better suited for me. but thanks for the recommendation

[crashdive123]

Hope/Sourdough has a poodle. He might have some ideas.

[canid]

that's because elg/elk was first a name for eurasian moose, and due to a mistake became applied to the north american elk.

[owl_girl]

maybe someone should rename elk and put an end to the confusion.

ill call them screaming deer

[wildWoman]

An endless topic, dog breeds...sounds good what you've got in mind!

If you ever do want to get an electronic collar, get a decent one. Cabela's has a whole range of good ones, totally worth their money (grey hair and vet costs saved).
Hunting on a leash would be difficult unless above the treeline in my experience. One of our dogs is a German wirehair and we trained him for tracking and retrieving but had to resort to an electronic collar because it's just not feasible to be climbing over, under and around deadfall with a dog on a leash. He's very good unless he spots large game before us and starts taking off before he gets a command to stay. But that's where the electronic collar comes in.

I find most dogs will chase black bears up a tree, even little terriers. With grizzlies, they're usually better off keeping a low profile, depending on the bear.

Anyway, good luck and have fun! It's so cool once you're a good team with your dog and come to understand which bark and what body language they use for what animal species. One look at your dog, and you know if there's a moose or a bear ahead.
When are you gettin your new dog?

[equus]

yes i think that you made the right decision with going with the elkhound. they are great dogs that can hunt and pull their weight. I love the working breeds and the herding breeds of dogs.

[canid]

screaming deer, i like that.

[owl_girl]

Hunting on a leash would be difficult unless above the treeline in my experience. One of our dogs is a German wirehair and we trained him for tracking and retrieving but had to resort to an electronic collar because it's just not feasible to be climbing over, under and around deadfall with a dog on a leash.

yes good point. the website i listed said the method of hunting depends on the terrain so i guess id have to see what the area looks like before i could decide if i should hunt on leash or off.

if every thing goes according to pan in about a year or 2, shortly before i head up. i need to buy a few other things first that ill need to get me up there before i can get a dog.

[owl_girl]

yes i think that you made the right decision with going with the elkhound. they are great dogs that can hunt and pull their weight. I love the working breeds and the herding breeds of dogs.

have you had one your self? or knew a friends dog well? if you have any first hand experience with them id be happy to read it

[equus]

The other kind of dog that you might consider is the Karelian Bear Dog. They were bred for hunting big game. They are a little bigger than the elkhound. They can also pull because of their size I think a little more weight than the elkhound. I had a friend that had an elkhound it was trained to hunt and to pull. I don't think it pulled more than 25 lbs. They are very personable dogs that like to be with people and they are loyal. They are however a little strong willed. You have to have a lot of patience when dealing with this particular breed. They taught it to hunt from off leash. The bear dog is similar to the elkhound as far as the coat. They each have two coats a thick hair on top and a more softer dense hair under neath to protect them from the cold. Either way you want a dog that can do both be able to pull some weight and to help you hunt as well. Good luck on your search for your dog. Training for these types of dogs begin just after they are weaned. Most people take them on hunts with more experienced dogs so that they can learn from watching and mimicking the other dogs. Training one by itself might be a little hard not impossible to do but a little harder. Something that you might consider is to try to buy one that is already trained since this is something new to you.

[samurai steve]

I own a elky, and it is the best dog that I have ever had the priviledge of inviting into my family. Though they are a bit vocal at times, they are very easy to train, and do well in any climate. Protective, but not agressive, not to mention the best squirrel dog I've ever owened. They can be taught to hunt game of any caliber. From moose/elg to the above mentioned.
Downfall being, they shed alot, I meen alot! 5 times a year, but a frugall person could deal with that. On the plus, they have next to no natural health problems. Only thing that drives me nuts is their high shrill bark. But, all in all I think good choice for all around dog.

[Sourdough]

I actually would recommend a standard poodle to you...I know they look kinda silly.

Silly....SILLY.....SILLY LOOKING....??? Bite her "HarleyDog".

[wareagle69]

children???????
something we should know about young lady?????

[ClayPick]

I had to put my little poodle dog down last May, he was struggling with a collapsing trachea. I haven’t really dealt to well with that yet and am letting time do its thing. My other dogs are a Golden Retriever, a German Shepherd and a Husky. The retriever and the shepherd come from New Brunswick, the husky I brought home from northern Labrador. The little poodle excelled in more dog attributes than the other three combined.
He was always the most aware and fearless because he knew I had him covered. His only downfall was the cold and having hair not fur, he would turn into a snowball in no time. Most of Tinks winter traveling was done in my knapsack. My other dogs needed his brain.
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