I know they are used as catch, but I do not know if they are running free during the bay or prior to the catch. I never asked. The only reason I know they are used as catch dogs is because those hunters told me that is what they were looking for (a catch dog similar to an APBT but with more size and leg)...and they have told me the dogs are doing well in that avenue. BTW, I would hunt hogs myself with my dogs IF I had access to land that had hogs AND allowed dogs. I have access to land that does have hogs...and other land that does allow dogs, but I don't have access to land that has both dogs and hogs. So, I hunt hogs with a bow...and that doesn't really bother me at all since the purpose of my dogs is to be a family guardian. I have however taught a few dogs to track game (on leash) after a shot has been made. They enjoyed it and this only reveals a bit of their prey drive, but IMO that isn't anything surprising. I think any dog worth its salt that also has decent prey and decent nose would do that.