re: German Sheperds trailing wounded deer

About a year and a half ago I started thinking the same thing.

Bought a registered beagle for 100 bucks. Great dog. Tracked a doe late last year and found a 6 point a little under a mile my uncle wounded with his bow.

My brother also bought a German Shepard a week before I bought my beagle. The dog had an incredible amount of built up energy and became increasingly aggressive. If you plan on having a dog strictly for trailing purposes, then I would advise against a German Shepard. If your dead set with the German Shepard though, then go with a female.

As far as training. I shot a doe and saw her fall about 80 yards later, I took Cy out there and he smelt his way to the deer, when he got there I praised him and gave him some turkey. I cut off one of the deer ears and that was hands down his favorite toy. Since then he's 2 for 2.

ETA: Beagles are incredible with kids. Also I would go with the bloodhound over red bone.