Retired couple finds new hobby with dogs

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Jake, a winning hog dog, holds a wild hog at bay in a practice pen. The dog, owned by Bob and Judy Buckhead of Red River County, often competes in the sport. -- Staff photo by Montgomery

April 17, 2003 -- Wanting a hobby that they could do together and help keep them young, a Red River County couple have been bitten by a bug that keeps them "bayed."

Bob and Judy Buckhead began baying hogs in the summer 1999.

"We had sold some young woods dogs (dogs used exclusively for hunting hogs in the woods) to some guys, and they wanted to see if our dog Jake would work in the bay pen," Bob began. "So, they came out one day and we put a hog in the bay pen with Jake. The next day we took Jake to a bay pen competition. He won first place in the two-dog competition."

At that point, the Buckheads were hooked on a new game, and almost every weekend, they have gone to compete with Jake and others. Many times they come home with a win.

Wondering what a bay is?

"At a bay, the dog works the hog by containing the hog for two minutes. The dog must have eye contact with the hog at all times. It's kinda like a cutting competition," Bob said.

With both Bob and Judy retired, Judy wondered how they would afford the trips.

"I told Judy if it doesn't cost us over $300 a trip, we would be alright," Bob added.

The couple quickly made a name for themselves as Jake, and other dogs raised by the Buckheads, began to win competition after competition.

"We have won I don't know how many plaques and trophies since we began. We probably have given 50 plaques to the children and grandchildren," Judy said.

The most prestigious competitions are Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials in Winnfield, La. and the American Bay Dog Registry (ABDR) World Championship in Ruston, La.

In March 2001, Jake, along with his son Buddy, won the Uncle Earl's event in the two dog bay.

Last October, Jake had qualified for the ABDR World Championship.

"At the world show, Jake received six perfect scores, winning the world championship. At ABDA events, there are five judges. The highest and lowest scores are thrown out," Bob explained.

"I had a friend of mine ask me if I had any idea of what I had done? I told him that we had won. He said what we had done was like taking a pair of old workhorses to the Kentucky Derby and winning," Bob said.

"Judy was so nervous. She couldn't watch," he added.

Judy most have gotten over being nervous because in March 2003, Buddy took them to a second place win at the Texas State Women Bay in Lufkin.

The dog trainer attributed their success to "training the dogs on all kinds of hogs, from charging to running."

Jake is getting up in age. He is 12-years-old but the Buckheads claim he still gets around and acts just like a pup.

"If we took Jake away from this livelihood, he would probably die. When he enters the pen, he is just like a pup.

"We love our dogs and do everything we can to ensure their well-being," Bob continued.

One way to ensure well-being is for the dogs to wear protective gear.

"They wear a bay vest and cut collars, which are made of keflar," Judy said.

The couple also have a sponsor - a dog food company. Lucky for them, because there are 100-plus Catahoula, Catahoula- cross dogs in the Buckhead's arsenal.

With bays increasing in popularity and therefore competition getting stiffer, the couple is still having fun; and each weekend, they are seeing members of an extended family.

"The bays are just one big family. Everybody helps everybody. You are constantly hearing, 'Can I help?'" Judy stated.

The Buckheads concluded by saying, "We are willing to help anybody who is interested in baying. Just give us a call." Their number is 903-684-3284.