Jack Rabbit dogs

I

iamdrglass

New member
I am currently using a couple of Jack Russells to flush jack rabbits. Does anyone else have hounds or dedicated rabbit dogs they use on jackrabbits? What are some traits that you like to see in them?
Thanks
Dan
 
My dad used to run rabbits with beagles. Some of the most fun I had as a kid was listening to those things bark as they circled us.

2 things he always thought made a good rabbit dog: long legged-for more speed on the fast ones.
smart...but not too smart. If they're smart enough they'll follow a rabbit anywhere. If they're too smart, they'll try to jump ahead and outsmart the rabbit.

This is just what I remember my dad saying as a kid. Who knows, he could have been just messing with me.
 
Never heard of it either...cottontails, snowshoe hare, and swampers are a beagles specialty but when you get into jacks wouldn't you want a sight hunter like a greyhound instead?
 
Could be. Maybe he was only talking about snowshoes and cottontails. I was a little kid so you know how that memory works.
 
Thanks for the response guys.

The area I hunt is broken sage. From what I gather from reading about sight hounds is they need more open terrain to make the grab. I think it would be fun to try but I don't think I can sell the wife on a sighthound although I briefly tried.

I guess what I want is a dog that has bettor nose than my JRT that will track jack rabbits before and after the flush.
My questions come from a ignorant stand point because rabbit hunting just is not that popular in my area with dogs. I dont know of anybody close to me that even has a beagle that hunts so I am just trying to figure this out from the net.
Thanks
Dan
 
good luck with that. a jack jump so far on each hop it makes it real hard for a dog to track him and most jacks are in dry climates makin it even more of a chore to get the scent. i highly doubt you find a dog that can trail one with much success
 
Always kinda figured beagles didnt push the snowshoes to hard and they would only run 20-30yds or so and then sit and wait for the dog to catch up. Did know a guy in upper Mi that had a Harrier that was good in the deep snow that bogged the Beagles down. From what I remember the Harrier was kinda in between the size of a Beagle and a fox hound with the stockier build of a Beagle.
As stated this was on Snowshoes hare in Northern Mi in or on snow so I have not a clue about Jack.
 
Originally Posted By: 3807patriotAlways kinda figured beagles didnt push the snowshoes to hard and they would only run 20-30yds or so and then sit and wait for the dog to catch up.

You've been watching the wrong pack of beagles
whistle.gif
The snowshoe hare chased by my beagles run for dear life and if they stop for more than a quick scan ahead they get chomped on.
thumbup.gif
 
I would like to see that when all thats sticking out of the snow is there nose.

Originally Posted By: TURBO6046Originally Posted By: 3807patriotAlways kinda figured beagles didnt push the snowshoes to hard and they would only run 20-30yds or so and then sit and wait for the dog to catch up.

You've been watching the wrong pack of beagles
whistle.gif
The snowshoe hare chased by my beagles run for dear life and if they stop for more than a quick scan ahead they get chomped on.
thumbup.gif
 
Originally Posted By: 3807patriotI would like to see that when all thats sticking out of the snow is there nose.

Originally Posted By: TURBO6046Originally Posted By: 3807patriotAlways kinda figured beagles didnt push the snowshoes to hard and they would only run 20-30yds or so and then sit and wait for the dog to catch up.

You've been watching the wrong pack of beagles
whistle.gif
The snowshoe hare chased by my beagles run for dear life and if they stop for more than a quick scan ahead they get chomped on.
thumbup.gif


There's only a few weeks each year when they are swimming...I'll agree those days the beagles are slow but it's not even close to the norm.
 
Originally Posted By: ackleymanYou are going to need a greyhound on PCP to run down the jackrabbits!

It would make some great video!

a greyhound will catch so will a saluki but if you want a good jack rabbit dog look into a whippet. half the size of a greyhound, almost as fast, can take faster turns(this is where most greyhounds get beat).
 


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