It is best to learn the various recent keeps used and published by various past dog men. I doubt there is a one keep fits all type situations. There are so many variables that will play into what you may can do or not do. The first two important factors are how much land you have and what is the general type weather you have to deal with. Examples would be living in the mountains or down south with year round high humidity or in a more desert type weather like Texas that is dry with low humidity.

Someone that lives out in the boonies with plenty of land mass or a large farm to walk/road work the dog and the time to do it. Will have a great advantage over someone in a city environment with limited space.

Another advantage is a dog man that has up to forty or more dogs and another dog man that can keep only eight to ten dogs. With both yards having good bred dogs. The larger yard has more dogs to pick from.

In the end one has to plan out a keep suited for their lifestyle etc. and just go and do it. Trying to keep it simple as possible. If something does go wrong. Will hopefully know how to fix.

One thing I noted over time was the dog men/chicken men that kept nasty unclean run down yards. Did not do well at any other part of the game. Your animals have to be kept healthy to compete.

I always felt the dog man that could really condition well. That just went around and picked up good dogs here and there had the best of it. No Hassall of taking care of dogs every day. Just deal with one dog have all the fun of the dog pull event. When event is over go home to peace and quite. LOL