Usually you are saposed to wait at least until they are 2 years of age, where as you are giving your pet time to mature.
U have claimed your pet to have been 2 1/2 years old, i would say he has matured and turn on, but i can be wrong simply because some dogs mature at diffenernt times and rate's and also i have never owned or seen him.
U have been with him since a pup so i u should now if your boy turned on yet,
what does he do when you bring him close around another hound?

Just keep in mind that any dog can quit depending on how much you put on him