I just recently got a new hound, but it is not pure bred. It has something else, but I am sure she will be a great hunting dog just by her actions. I was just wondering if hounds make good upland bird hunting dogs. I know that they probably wouldn't to compare to the pointers and such, but i was just wondering if they could be trained into bird dogs. And if it would be worth it. Thanks

Years ago, before we got into bird dogs, we hunted pheasant behind a beagle...he wouldn't howl as he would on a rabbit...instead, he'd just go on a silent trail (kind of snorting). We just got behind him and followed him to the bird.

Hounds have sensitive noses...don't know why they wouldn't make good bird dogs.

Any dog nose is better than ours! At least if they bump'm up, you have a shot at them.
Sue and Skeeter

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Sue and Skeeter and crazy Joker too

It's about CONSERVATION not preservation!

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine had a Black & Tan that we bird hunted with. When she started to bay, you better get ready because either a bird was going to go up or a coon was going to climb a tree. It was really fun to watch. I always wondered what the grouse must have thought when the barking started.

I have read that Bassets can be used with good success for upland birds. Their low profile makes them excellent getting through either thick prairie grass, or windbreak cover. You most likely would hunt them as a flushing type breed. Not sure how well they would do retrieving. I have a 9 year old basset now, never hunted him and most likely, never will. He has never been one for really chasing / retrieving balls, or toys. So take it for what it's worth.

Sue, Ruger and I am happy to see you posting here again as we've missed you and Skeeter and hope you're doing well.

I had some friends that lived on a farm they allowed me to hunt pheasants on. They had a Basset named Suzie they used on rabbits and pheasants that was a dropoff they adopted. She was a sweetheart as Bassets are and would bay and run on all fours when on a rabbit. When on a pheasant she'd bay but rear up on her hind legs as if waiting for a flush and you knew what she was on. I don't know if it typical but she acted that way on birds and did well too.

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Brian and Ruger

All dogs can hunt. How they do it may be a bit funny but all can hunt. Even the herding breeds can flush birds. Now, they may be trying to round them up for you but the end effect is the same. Hounds have good noses and will trail game when given the opportunity and time to develop. Get your dog around birds and let it learn to chase them. Praise it when it does. Pretty soon, it will start chasing them. I have personally owned a beagle and a terrier and both would flush and hunt pheasant. Could not get the retrieve to work with them but they would find the down bird and sit on it for me. The terrier would kill any live ones by biting their necks and then wait for me. Are the hounds ideal for birds? No but if that is what you own, then get out with it, see what happens. Rick

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I am a man of few words!!!
(You should see what I didn't write!!!!)