So Im wondering what you guys think about a mix that Im pretty well convinced would make both a great pet and Big game dog. Ive got a beagle and want to find a Walker hound to breed him with. I figure a slightly larger beagle with a harder prey drive. Cover more ground and be cats/bears would probly look at them more as a threat than a snack. Any thoughts and any available Walker hound in the Northern Ca. region?

I agree with your plans entirely. For my next dog I am planning a cross between a beagle and a jackal dog (foxhound-type) for the same reasoens you mention.
Unfortunately I have no knowledge of a Walker hound.
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Why not just get you a Walker and breed it to a Walker. What do you expect the beagle to add to the walker?

I've hunted both. If your looking for a big game hound or hound then I would stick with the larger hounds breed for that business.

Quarter Round my thoughts were having a slightly more compact version, for ease of travel with them, ability to put more in 1 vehicle, and as my dogs are pets also a slightly smaller dog would be easier as an inside/outside dog.

Karoo ive never heard of a jackal dog but a Walker hound is much like a foxhound, basically a 50-70lb Beagle

I went onto the net and found a Walker hound. Looks impressive.
A jackal dog is just a dog from a jackal-hunting pack and invariably a mixed foxhound-type. They will have strong prey-drive, but not easy to control.
My criteria for a dog's size: must be small enough to fit through the dog flap and big enough to jump onto the back of a pick-up. My Kelpie is perfect.
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