Missouri is a great state to find a large selection of puppies for sale. We offer the greatest selection of breeders in Missouri. Take a moment and browse all the dog breeds we have available in Missouri. Ice Cream Male Jimmy! Jimmy is a cream male with a lot of white markings and may turn out to be a honey piebald. Time will tell if he actually has spots… Megan has more brindling and white markings than her sister, Muffin. On her left side, you can easily see brindle stripes.American Bulldog Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to rescuing and finding forever homes for bull breed dogs in need. All donations are tax-deductable. Please help save one of these precious bulls today!Make your donation today using PayPal Home Page                                                                                                               501(c)3 corp. Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc. exists to place stray, abandoned or displaced Mastiffs into approved adoptive homes.

Every life is precious and we are here to make a difference by saving those lives. Midwest Mastiff Rescue, Inc. is made up of volunteers who have many years of both Mastiff and rescue experience. MMR currently serves the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota and Indiana.  ask for your support of our loving endeavor as more times than not, our adoption fees do not cover our expenses. Will you open your hearts to these Gentle Giants that so desperately need your support? Become a friend today . . . join us on FacebookBefore dogs were considered pets, they were working animals first. They helped the early settlers hunt for food and protect livestock. Hog hunting with dogs, in particular, is quite common to this day across many parts of the country. If you wish to learn more about this practice or want to train your canines how to hunt wild boars, then you’ve come to the right place. Using dogs to hunt hogs in the wild in order to provide food for the family is said to have started in America as early as the 1800s even though the practice can be traced as far back as the ancient Romans.

Hunters often used two types of canines back then – bay dogs and catch dogs. The bay dogs are released first to chase a boar down. Once the wild pig is cornered or attempts to fight back its pursuers, the catch dogs are then released to incapacitate the hog until the hunter arrives on the scene. The catch dogs will pounce on the pig and will usually seize it behind the ear in order to control and hold it down. The human hunter finishes the job by dispatching the boar using his spear or knife. Aside from hunting, catch dogs were also used by the early settlers to keep their livestock, such as chickens and cows, safe from other predators in the wild. Cougars and bears were a huge problem then and hunting dogs proved to be very useful in protecting the families that were carving out a new life in the untamed expanse of America. The term ‘man’s best friend’ took on a meaning totally on a different level during those times. Back then, dogs worked side by side with their humans to put food on the table and have a meaningful life out in the wilds.

The practice of hog hunting continues today in many places in America because wild boars continue to be a problem. Rustic Oak Laminate Flooring From FocusThere are still many areas in the country where livestock and agricultural fields need to be protected from the menace of wild boars and feral pigs. Schipperke Puppies For Sale In New MexicoThere is really no way of calculating the exact amount of damage they cost the timber and agriculture industries nationwide. Delta Shower Faucet Doesn'T Get Hot EnoughBut the US Department of Agriculture estimates that to be about several billion dollars every year. Since wild hogs eat just about anything, the damage they cause to the environment cannot be underestimated as well.

Their rooting and wallowing behaviors also create runoff, a big contributor to pollution of natural water sources. Then there is the fact that they breed unbearably quickly. Sows already become sexually mature after 6 months. They can then produce two litters of piglets per year, with each litter consisting of 10 to 15 piglets. Because they have no natural predators to keep their population from burgeoning, a group of hogs left unchecked can easily overrun a property in no time at all. That is why hunters continue to hunt wild boars and feral pigs to this day using dogs. Much has changed though. Today hunters use rifles along with their knives. They also use modern equipment such as binoculars. In fact, many hog hunters now hunt at night, something the early settlers would have never done considering the danger of cougars and bears. When it comes to the dogs that accompany the hunters however, they still need to undergo rigorous training in order to fulfill their part. And often, bay dogs and catch dogs are still used in tandem during the hunt.

Bay dogs function by harassing and harrying the boar, and chasing after it until it gets cornered. They bark loudly to scare the pig and at the same time alert the hunter of their location. Before they could do that however, they need to be able to find a boar first. That is why it is important for bay dogs to be excellent at tracking. They can be any breed as long as they have excellent scent detection skills. As for the catch dogs, since they need to be able to subdue a wild boar that is possibly very angry or scared that it will do anything to fight, the canines used must be big and burly and can hold their own in a fight against another animal. It is also important for catch dogs to have massive and strong jaws that will allow them to hold a full-sized boar down. All dogs need to be trained properly because it is dangerous work they are doing. They must also wear necessary protective equipment such as cut vests that will guard their neck and other vital parts. The human hunters must be capable as well to come to the rescue just in case some of their dogs get into trouble.

Sometimes the fight between wild pig and canine can be so intense that dogs get injured. Hunters need to have the skills to use needle and thread to sew up any injury, or at least be able to apply first aid. Some hunters prefer to train bay dogs and catch dogs separately. There are others though who prefer to train their canines into becoming both a tracker and catcher. Whichever route you decide to take, be prepared. Training hunting dogs will not be a walk in the park; it will take time, dedication and patience. Not only will you have to train your dogs to be able to run down and subdue a wild boar, you need them to learn your specific cues as well so that the hunt will go smoothly. Before you proceed, the first step is to identify the kind of hog in your hunting area. This will help you get the right type of dogs. For example, if the wild boars in your area tend to hold their ground and fight, then you need stronger and more aggressive dogs. If the pigs are the kind that scatters far and wide, then you need fast dogs with top-level endurance.

By knowing what you are up against, you will have more successful hunts. What you want to develop are their scent identification and tracking skills. Michelle Mears of High on the Hog Kennel shares tips and advice that will help: Get the canines that are large in build, are aggressive and strong enough to hold down a wild boar. If all of these sound too complicated for you, no worries because there are courses and professionals out there that can provide assistance. There are many breeders and trainers specializing in hunting dogs and they can facilitate the training for you. Just make sure that you find a reliable trainer in your area, someone who has a proven track record of success and, of course, can accommodate your budget. With the right training, any large dog can become good hog hunters. However, there are certain dog breeds that have proven to be excellent at this activity over the years. Pit Bulls – they have a reputation for being aggressive and that is why many homeowners refuse to adopt them as pets;

they are deemed as high-risk animals, especially around children. With that said, they make great catch dogs. Their body structure and overall stability are perfect for chasing and holding down a caught hog. They also possess a very strong bite, which many hunters consider to be a highly effective locking bite. Overall, their immense jaws and strong build make them a very dependable catch dog. American Bulldogs – They are used primarily as a working dog and are considered ‘classic catch dogs’. They have a long history of being reliable catchers of wild hogs in the south. Unlike pit bulls, they are good around children. They are very protective of their humans as well. Rhodesian Ridgebacks – noticeable for the strip of fur that grows ridge-like on their backs, this breed originated in South Africa where they were used to track down and distract lions while hunters take the position for a good shot. When it comes to hog hunting, they have superb scent detection skills, are highly intelligent, and are very good in tracking in general.

They make great bay dogs, however they need to be trained properly because rough training often does not work on them. Walker Hounds – over the centuries, they have been tasked to track down and catch foxes and other small game. When hunting wild boars, they tend to be very focused and dedicated at tracking down the right scent. All of that makes them prime choices for bay dogs. But they are also good around people and many families have them as pets. They seem to love living in comfortable or plush homes too. Lacy dogs – also called as Blue Lacy, this breed is said to have come from Texas and were especially bred to hunt wild boars functioning as bayers. They are strong and learn quickly, making it easy to train them. They are very loyal as well but it is not advisable to make them pets because they tend to be very energetic. In fact, most breeders will not sell Lacy Dogs unless they are certain that the canines will be used for hunting or as working dogs. Aside from hog hunting, they also do well at ranching and herding livestock.