Originally Posted by
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.