I haven't trapped since I was a kid -50+ years ago recently retired and ready to by some traps and start trapping again- I like the dogless better ( I think ) less moving parts ? -but all the traps of yesteryear were longsprings with dogs and they worked pretty good and I think they probably still would better than my joints - any help before I buy greatly appreciated . I know someone will ask what Im gonna focus on wolf-yote-bobcat thanks in advance for any insight

Dogless

Tune it and forget it, no bent dogs, no loosening tightening nuts.

I prefer dog-on. maybe I'm not smart enough to tune a dogless trap, but I haven't had great success tuning them.

I can get dogged traps adjusted to a repeatable state. but I can't with dogless versions of the same trap.

YMMV.

If you decide on dogless you have to clean the hookup spot really well.

Personally i use only dog-on myself

Dogless for me. I really like the No B.S k9 jrs. No tinkering, set it and go.

i prefer a trap where both jaws are locked down

In my wet acidic conditions, I like a dog. But i am a old school beaver slut…..

I've got both, but I've started to lean more towards a dogless trap. They're simple to use and tune, easy to bed and you don't have to worry about pulling a trap if a dog gets torn off. Another plus is the dogless traps I've used have a big pan making a larger area for the animal to put it's foot.

I have both dog less and traps with the dog on, while both are good traps if I had to make a choice id go with dog less. The reason being is with the dog less you don't have the hassle of replacing the dog if it gets mangled up, and in my opinion tuning pan tension on a dog less trap isn't real hard it just takes a little time adjusting.

I dont worry much about pan tension. If it gets loose it gets loose. I like fast. Thats important. I will tighten the pan nut only when I move the trap. I can catch equal amounts of fur with either dog or dogless but both jaws locked down beds easy. No messing around. Mash the trap in and cover it up. Straightening a dog once in a while takes seconds. Lay it ontop the nut of your rebar stake and smack it with a hammer.

Dogless!!!!! Easy choice. All of the top end coyote traps are Dogless coil spring traps.

I prefer dog on. Mostly because it seems like I struggle getting both consistent pan tension in the 2-3lb range and little or no pan movement before the trap fires with dogless. Seems like they end up either with more pan tension than I like, or snapping off accidentally and being too sensitive after waxing. Maybe I'm just not good at adjusting them, but after messing with them a while I decided that for me, dog on was the way to go.

I dont use nite latch. Short latch for me. Just set the trap. No fooling with finding the second notch.

no big deal on "finding" the second notch.

nite-latch helps me bed the trap in our rocky "soil"...I bed the trap with the elevated pan in the pre-"nite-latched" position. Once I have it tight, I press on the jaws and lower the pan for the "click".

easy-peasy.

Dogless has become my preference. The trap can nearly always be reset without repairing damage that the dog-on traps would regularly suffer, which was commonly the dogs being chewed off.

Willoughby they do make reinforced/stronger dogs now...rod dogs or heavy dogs. Some guys that weld ....weld a nail along the length of the dog for reinforcement.

… used dogged traps for years .. then gave the dogless 2 bridger a try … the ease of bedding and kill area sold me on them

Depends what your target animal is. Buy some of each and I’m sure you will have an opinion after a season. For smaller animals, dog on for sure. I prefer dog on traps for everything.

In NY you have to have traps with adjustable pans and most dogless are not adjustable so I use the dog type trap. Most dogless are considerably more expensive also. I have both but dont use the dogless in NY

I have mb 550os and bridger #2 dogless. I use both and don't care witch I grab out of the bucket. I like the thick cast jaws on the 550 but like how flat and well the Bridgers bed. The Bridgers are bigger and I am thinking about laminating them. Both will freeze down and I want to try some #3 la if I can find them get some of each and try them and find what you like best. I haven't had to fix a dog on a 550 yet don't think I will have to. They are round and heavy.

I wish all of mine had the PIT pan like the ones I put on my Duke #4s and Bridger #3s. Tension always the same and smooth movement.

Really liking my dogless. One moving part and no dog to straighten out or adjust. Very simple. Never had to rebuild anything in the field after a coyote catch too.
Jim

X2

Bridger, Duke, Mb, and Jake traps all have adjustable pan tension bolts? So a 550 would be illegal in ny? Bending the dog adjust pan tension on them and would on every type of dog style trap. Where tightening or loosening the bolt on most dogless traps made today would adjust it. Or if by adjusting the pan you mean by height then same thing most dogless have this adjustment capability.

I would get a half dozen of each and make your decision after you e used them for a season. I like both. The pan of the dogless is much larger, but the clearance under the pan is minimal. I have had a few failure to fire. Dog on type, the pan sits higher, easy to set a hair trigger, but I've come to realize a hair trigger is not a good thing. I'd say clearance under the pan and the size of the pan are the biggest differences

I use the KB which is dogless , I don't pay attention to the pan tension and the pan sets low which I think contributes to a high catch on the foot.

I prefer Monty #2' and 3's myself. Old style or new style.

But also catch just as many coyotes in MB550's.

I filed a night latch on 2 dozen of my #3 Monty's.

Buy what you can afford.

X2^^^^^

Dogless. No dogs to bend or get chewed off. Even the best traps have trouble with them now and then.

Bridger dogless are adjustable pans.
Jim

pm to you Michigander

I have both, dogless for me. Adjust and go, no dog to bend up by catch. The dogless just seem easier to set.