Have a male laying right beside my chair now. 10 yrs old. Flew down to Gulfport Ms to get him a 4 wks old from Ladners (long time breeders who use them primarily as hunting dogs).
He started working livestock really early without any prompting from me, just wanting to please. Note of caution: Pretty darn hardheaded about quiting once they get going. So much so that I ended up with a shock collar for a while(once he learned I wasn't just yelling he came around to my viewpoint).
Mine IS a criminal. You just don't come into my house without me around and if you get on the property, you're going to get bit, gets real serious,real quick. Once I tell him it's OK, it's OK.
I hunt him in the PU. When he starts to really whine, you need to stop,let him out because he's got a coon that he will catch on the ground. Will not open his mouth unless treed. Record of 7 in one half hour evening. Wore us all out. Sucker will also flush pheasants,quail.
Local police have called me to track people with he 3 times, so he does have a reputation. Good dogs but treat them with respect.