extra barking on a rabbit track..

[mybeagles]

Many claim the "extra barks" in the check is very disruptive, yet Mark speaks of races lasting two hours or more. It seems to me if the "extra barking" was so disruptive they would never get a track 100 yards. I've experienced races of 4 hours with cold nosed dogs that pop in the check or cold trail 5 minutes before a jump.

The faster style field trials must be held in heavy rabbit populations because it takes 3-5 rabbits to judge a 1 hour cast of dogs. Would anyone like to dispute that fact? If you cant jump 3+ rabbits you will spend 40 minutes out of the hour looking for another rabbit. I've judge or attended a good number of field trials and that has been the case in all but a couple trials in which case the running conditions were so good a collie would have looked good.

Mybeagles

[gwyoung]

mcardery, Good job, nothing boring there. I don't have to tell you how many dogs would have blown straight across the road and would not have found that rabbit, they might have went far enough to jump another though, at which time it would have been called good work for getting the check.

[augerhead]

My beagles your last post makes sence I agree, most rabbits would never make it 4hrs with the right kind of dog after them. Probably right, a trial with some top hounds should be held in an area with good rabbit populations, a pack of champs I am sure would put them to the hole rather quickly sometimes. On the other hand 1 rabbit could provide all the running you need for a whole days fun if they never presssure him. I've seen them run in an area the size of a football field for hours, just not something I or some others would really enjoy.This whole post is going no where, people enjoy different things, some buy a dog,start it, and how ever it turns out they adjust to except its qualities.Like I said earlier if the ultimate goal for you is dogs being able to keep a rabbit going, to circle to the gun is the thrill, then understanding what some of us are talking about would be very difficult. I am not trying to throw off on anybodys style of dog to each his own, it's just hard to hear from some one who does not care about some of the qualities that some of us do that a fast honest dog some how low quality.You don't live far at all from me, Buck is my family, maybe some time we could hook them hounds up. If you keep an open mind, and don't be defensive, I think you might enjoy the type of dog we run. They might be totally different from yours, but I think they would have to excite you.Things over the years change for some people,when I first started running dogs I would just be so happy if mine would run. Later in life I started expecting them to do some of the work maybe get a check or two.Then you start compare your hound to others, thats where everything changed for me. My uncle Steve would sell me some of his lessers and then take me hunting and spank me. I soon got real tired of that and wanted so bed to beat him.So next step was win at all cost I didn't care how they did it, swing, cut, foul mouth, foolish, it didn"t matter just be in front! Well that got old soon and my goal at this stage is way deeper, complete dog,competetive, fews as faults as possible right down to bite,dew claws ect.The biggest factor they must have for me know is what Buck calls the IT factor can't explain, But the hound must be able to get my blood pumping, hair standing up on my neck, fell like thowing my hat factor or I am quickly bored! No disrespect but an barking track FOLLOWING middle of the pack just can't hold my attention.

[mybeagles]

Are you guys strictly running after dark? I wouldn't mind coming down for a race or maybe 5 or 6 short ones.....

What are you doing this evening?

502-295-7603

[pilotknob]

Good post Augerhead,I'ed be willing to bet that everyone's idea of the perfect hound has changed over time as they understand more about the hounds themselves and are exposed to different types of dogs.I know mine sure has when I was younger fast and flashy was what I was after.Kind of like the way I liked my cars and trucks.Now it's more like smooth and goodlooking,that can get you from pointA to pointB as quickly as possible without having it break down on you.

[warddog]

Well, my perception of a beagle is a rabbit dog first and foremost & has been since the first time I went with my dad as a kid too young to even pack a gun. We had several potlickers that could run a rabbit to the gun. We finally got our first registered dog that was all white with one blind eye that set the stage as the stick to judge dogs by in my eyes. Ole Whitey wasn't the fastest dog, nor did he mind to slot up in a pack and even would open a little before a lot of the other dogs could or would. The one thing that set him apart from the rest was that when he opened his mouth the rabbit was in the bag or place of refuge, period. We never gave two cents about style nor was there ever any compition amoung the dogs doing the work of bringing the rabbit to the gane pouch. The only competition was with the hunters on the numbers they put on the table. I'll agree that I have evolved long past that but only to the point that I could care less if I killed a rabbit or not BUT my perception of a rabbit dog is still the same as it was 50+ years ago. Never ran along side of one to see every step it made but rather waited at the spot of opening for the game to go in the bag. One bark one rabbit in the game bag= a pretty good run.

[Tonyallen83]

I think this entire post has been some enlightenment for some and fuel for anger to others. I do believe most of us are in this sport for the same reason we enjoy hunting and those of us who are serious about it enjoy a good dog. I think the question is what is a good dog? Can there be two good dogs with different running styles. I would say yes. In my experience what defines a good dog is dependability. Some are faster some are slower, some hunt harder and faster some hunt slower, some bark to much some don't bark enough. Dependability is knowing that when you drop your hound whether in Kansas or Alaska, it will find you a rabbit and run it. If you cast your dog and it runs the entire hunt in front of the pack but your buddy's dog has jumped every rabbit have you won anything? A dog must have three traits Hunt,Tracking ability and determination if it lacs either of these three than it will never be dependable. If you cannot take your dog hunting solo and bring meat home you don't have a rabbit dog. If you caint go with your buddy's and have running day or night you don't have a rabbit dog. I've seen fast and slow rabbit dogs and honest and loose rabbit dogs. It seems to me this post is knit picking on non important traits and forgetting the basics which we could all agree on. I personally look for young dogs with these three traits then try to finish them as best as possible. You may never get the perfect hound but I guarantee if you focus on these three traits you will have good hounds. One may (Bark Extra) the other might not bark enough. One might be to rough, the other may not push hard enough to suit some but if your buddy's are honest and know dogs they will say ( his hound may not be my style but he's a good dog. DEPENDABILITY!!!!

[Mapel Valley Kennels LLC.]

This post is now making me fill somewhat warm and fuzzy. I have run hard hitting hounds all my life do they pee me off absolutly, however we meaning my select few of friends have whittled and culled pretty well the last few years and have gotten about as close as we have been to where we want to go.I think.
Augerhead said it best funny how our attitude changes not only with dogs but with life. I started out with grade hounds and never seen a AKC Hound before till 90 when one mushed my mouth at a field trial, i had what i thought was good till he litterally shut my hound down, i had to ask questions to the owner. He said he had come down from Canada some fella named Branko was the breeder i also had never heard of him, he whooped this pretty pedigree out and i was offically dumfounded, never seen one of those eiether.
I then made my mind up that day i was gonna research it and did . What a long strange trip it has been lots of ups and downs, excitments and letdowns. I still get a boner watching these young dogs start and see the teenagers accell and go to the next level as long as it thrills me i will continue to Get Er Done. Its starting to turn into a post that makes a little sense, but i still hate a mouthy azz dog.

[bucks better beagles]

Billy, are you referring to "every dog has its price"? I have had this discussion with a lot of people who say their dog cannot be bought but, if they are honest, enough money will buy him. Maybe not $100 or $500 or even $1000. But say somebody got real stupid and offers $2000 or $5000 or say, $10000 or more. Are you saying you wouldn't sell? I saw a man give, not offer, a brand new ford ranger for a dog whose owner said it wasn't for sale. Dog had no pedigree or any distinction what so ever. This man just wanted to own the other man's dog. True story.

[dog]

Billy, are you referring to "every dog has its price"? I have had this discussion with a lot of people who say their dog cannot be bought but, if they are honest, enough money will buy him. Maybe not $100 or $500 or even $1000. But say somebody got real stupid and offers $2000 or $5000 or say, $10000 or more. Are you saying you wouldn't sell? I saw a man give, not offer, a brand new ford ranger for a dog whose owner said it wasn't for sale. Dog had no pedigree or any distinction what so ever. This man just wanted to own the other man's dog. True story.

i am being totally honest when i say "if its not for sale then its not for sale " nothing burns me more than someone thinking they can have anything they want , especially if its mine , money dont mean much to me , never has , i grew up poor , it might by some peole but it dont buy me , if the offers start at a couple hundred they will never get to an ungodly amount with me because i only tell someone its not for sale a couple times and then i start taking it personal , they would have a better chance making me the same reasonable offer , over and over again , when they keep upping the offer thinking they can buy me it is an insult and i dont continue conversations will people who insult me

[augerhead]

I must be a two dollar whore.never had a dog that couldn't be bought and sure don't get offended when some body makes a big offer. I have had a few I did not want to sell and may have said not for sale but enough jack would have bought any of them!

[Casey Harner]

I'd be flattered if someone wanted my dog that bad, I wouldn't take it personal at all. Its not like they are trying to buy you and take you home... lol

[See low]

having a job in sales wont let me get attatched to much... i have a male that i really dont want to sale but,,,,,i told a guy the other day,, to get this dog you have to like him more than i do....

[dog]

the all mighty dollar rules the world , for some ! like i said , if it aint for sale , it aint for sale !

[Casey Harner]

It only rules the world if we allow it too. I commend you dog, I do feel the same about my young male. He is gonna be nice and I like his personality. I too will not take any amount of money for him. If he earns his keep then he stays.