I was wondering if shorthairs are suppossed to have the ability to run a cold track and scent the ground? Ive always had an interest in the versatile abilities of GSP's, and since I dont hunt birds I didn't break Dax from running fur (except deer). When he runs rabbits its always a fresh scent and he runs them while barking the entire time. He doesn't show interest in old scent but can stay on it if I guide him the whole time. For example, last week while hiking we cut a bobcat track in the snow (probably a day old) he sniffed it for a second but moved on. I was curious to see what he would do so I kept re-directing him to the track and he actually was able to follow it a bit on his own but would lose interest after a few minutes. Eventually we got into a rocky area with fresher sign and instead of trailing he was scenting the air and just staring into the distance. Did he know we were close to the cat, and was looking ahead for it? Right before dark we actually jumped the bobcat close to where we started the track (I think it circled on us), and Dax didn't see it but as soon as he hit the scent he took off barking the same as he would when he's on fresh rabbit scent. He lost the trail in some rocky/cliff area so I called him back. Sorry for the long story. I was just curious if GSP's have a cold trailing ability but simply get bored with it and pay closer attention to fresh scent? Or if the scent is so faint they just can't pick up on it the same way say a hound would? 

*Also I  don't hunt him on fur, generally...these were just experiences I've come across while hiking or running the dog in the woods