I have been working with deer hounds for ages, since I was a little boy. I am thinking of crossing over to man tracking (missing persons not criminals or both in some cases). Recently deceased persons, maybe even other animal or pet tracking for pets that have run off.
I am wondering 2 things.
1) Breed suggestion (all through I lean towards hounds since thats what I am used to)
2) Can I train for all three types of tracking? I am only used to training to track deer in a pack.
Thanks to all!

Well... when teaching different scentwork exercises like that you have to teach one at a time so that the dog doesn't get confused. Few dogs are capable in being cross trained in this many things to the required standards.

However, there is no real time when your dog would ever be needed to track a criminal. Law enforcement do not use civilian trackers in most of the world any more. You could train it for competition though.
It's my understanding that most S&R groups use dogs that airscent, rather than tracking - as it's more useful to find where the person actually is rather than where they have been.

Cadaver dogs are normally trained in a specific way by members of groups - as they have to be certified. I don't think that it is a DIY thing, especially as you have to keep human remains for training purposes. Again this is not tracking.

Tracking animals and pets seems like a fun thing to do.

If you want a hound get a hound. If you want to do a sport or get involved with detection dog work, you might be better picking one of the proven breeds in that type of work - there is a reason why certain breeds are used consistantly. Which breed depends on what you are doing, your personality and the amount of help that you have available in training - among other factors.

I would recommend finding a sport where you can get a tracking title and train your dog to that goal. This would give you the feedback and experience to help you in your future goals.

Alternatively contact an s&r / cadaver group and find out a little more about what they do, you may find that that is not for you. My local group wanted me on call 24/7, with dog and equipment in the car at all times, full day of training every weekend & two evenings a week at a minimum.

Thanks for the info, I guess my primary goal was to be able to help with S/R and missing persons (sometimes that means dead persons was the only reason I mentioned Cadaver dogs). I am used to hounds and would default to them most likely. I have hounds that wind (air scent) and trail (ground track) Coonhounds or Bloodhounds come to mind.

i am new to the tracking world..but have been researching S&R, drug searches, pets, and missing persons..there is a TON of info out there...and there are lots of breeds that are good for specified tracking areas..but if you are maybe interested in a variety of tracking..maybe look for a versitile breed. I know the police/military ussually use GSD's or Mali's because they can track men, drugs, guns, even types of food not allowed to cross the border all in the same day. i have noticed labs and hounds tend to be trained for one specific purpose and have great noses too. Oh and there are states that can certify civilians to do drug searches..i know Oklahoma is one of them. Hope you enjoy doing the research and picking out the perfect match

Thanks.
I think I will end up with a black and tan coon or a blood hound. Mainly cause thats what I am used to, and both have a good track record. I also prefer a "hard" dog to a soft dog and I have yet to meet a soft coon or blood hound.
But yea lots of info. I am a year away from purchase so lots of time.
Thanks all.