Hi, do you think a beagle could be trained to hunt for antler sheds? I'm wondering if they were trained to only sheds if the rabbit scent would overpower the antler scent, or would they somewhat ignore it?? My husband is training his lab for antlers and I will soon get my own dog after his gets older, but I don't want a big dog, and I'd like something that can stand cold weather as well as I live in ND. I know beagles are used at airports but they aren't outside and don't have to compete with animal scents either haha. Thank you for any information you can give me!
Beagle antler dog?
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Hi catlady ,
Welcome to the forum , Good Questions.....
>do you think a beagle could be trained to hunt for antler sheds?<
The short answer is yes , if you have the time to put into this effort and have an antler for the scent work. Basic positive method will work best. IMO
>I'd like something that can stand cold weather as well as I live in ND.<
This is a very good question , however , is too open ended for me to answer. Is dog to be an inside dog? Will exposure to extreme cold be of limited duration with some type of paw protection? Lastly , I am just not sure a Beag can handle the ND. winter weather as there coat is not really suited for this extreme cold...IMO
>I know beagles are used at airports but they aren't outside and don't have to compete with animal scents either haha.<
You are very correct and make a good point. The controlled environment to work in at the airport with few distractions does make a big difference. These dogs are professionally trained and do this type of work daily and do a good job , so yes , a Beag can do this...
This sounds like a good topic to discuss with someone with winter experience with dogs in your area ?
Best , oldhounddog
Welcome to the forum , Good Questions.....
>do you think a beagle could be trained to hunt for antler sheds?<
The short answer is yes , if you have the time to put into this effort and have an antler for the scent work. Basic positive method will work best. IMO
>I'd like something that can stand cold weather as well as I live in ND.<
This is a very good question , however , is too open ended for me to answer. Is dog to be an inside dog? Will exposure to extreme cold be of limited duration with some type of paw protection? Lastly , I am just not sure a Beag can handle the ND. winter weather as there coat is not really suited for this extreme cold...IMO
>I know beagles are used at airports but they aren't outside and don't have to compete with animal scents either haha.<
You are very correct and make a good point. The controlled environment to work in at the airport with few distractions does make a big difference. These dogs are professionally trained and do this type of work daily and do a good job , so yes , a Beag can do this...
This sounds like a good topic to discuss with someone with winter experience with dogs in your area ?
Best , oldhounddog
Thanks for the reply oldhounddog! The beagle would be inside/garage dog or in fenced in yard, he wouldn't have to live outside during the winter. Luckily when it does get darn cold we have too much snow for shed hunting. When we would go outside in colder weather, the beagle would definitely be wearing the proper gear. Good advice Now about contacting a breeder around my area! Now that I think of it, I know a family that uses hounds for mountain lion hunting, I'll have to chat with them! I know using dogs to find sheds is fairly new, there is slim to none info about using beagles....so maybe I'm on to something here 
I've also heard from a top shed dog trainer say you can teach ANY breed for it...if he was also referring to the "toy" group, you'd think the hound group could!!
I've also heard from a top shed dog trainer say you can teach ANY breed for it...if he was also referring to the "toy" group, you'd think the hound group could!!
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catlady ,
I have no experience with antler shed hunting , this sounds like fun for dog and handler. To be honest , It has been a long time since my last Beagle , and today most of my work is rescue/training of hound breeds , most of which are Redbone coonhounds with a couple of setter mix and one Black and Tan. I have a good idea of what you will need , however , I do not train for air scent work anymore. In the past I've trained trailing , tracking and air scent work off leash with dogs trained to stay within aprox 100 feet of me , and what you may end up needing may be a combination specialized to your task.
I am sending you a PM.
Best , oldhounddog
I have no experience with antler shed hunting , this sounds like fun for dog and handler. To be honest , It has been a long time since my last Beagle , and today most of my work is rescue/training of hound breeds , most of which are Redbone coonhounds with a couple of setter mix and one Black and Tan. I have a good idea of what you will need , however , I do not train for air scent work anymore. In the past I've trained trailing , tracking and air scent work off leash with dogs trained to stay within aprox 100 feet of me , and what you may end up needing may be a combination specialized to your task.
I am sending you a PM.
Best , oldhounddog
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