The American Beagler Forum

I HAVE A FAST TWO YEAR OLD FEMALE THAT HAS GREAT LINE CONTROL.LOOKING FOR A MATCH FOR HER.QUESTION IS,BEEN TOLD IF? I FIND ONE IT WILL BRING OUT THE COMPETION IN THEM AND I WILL START GETTING TRACKS OVER RUN BAD BECAUSE THERE TRYING TO OUT DO EACH OTHER.WHAT DO YOU THINK? THANKS KHENSLER01

In my limited experiance each dog is differant with their personality and whether they can take pressure or not.I believe entire bloodlines can have that personality because they have been bred solely to take the lead at all costs.I have personaly seen the best gundog I have owned ruined because I ran her with faster dogs than herself,she had always been topdog to that point and could not handle the pressure.I could not hunt her in any pack after that and had to sell her to a gunhunter who hunts her solo.Just my 2 cents.

Dogs should have competitive spirit, but they should be more determined to run the line and put pressure on the rabbit than just trying to beat thier packmates. When a hound is overcompetitive, it will pick up faults that will disrupt a smooth running pack like skirting, overrunning, running on the outside, reaching or swinging wide in the check area, and standing in the check area. I like fast dogs, but thier main focus should be to run the rabbit, not try to beat thier packmates in a foot race.

These is how it should be in comp.Dogs should be picked up for skirting,not hunting,and over running the track.

Run her with another dog like what you think you want and see how she responds.

I agree with Tim H. Run her with a fast dog to see if she handles it all right. But if you buy a dog keep an eye on her sometimes it takes them a whill to pick it up. If she runs a good line she will probably continue to due so. The main thing I would watch for is Swing in the check. If you have a problem thats probably were you will see it 1st because thats were they are most competitive and a competitive dog will feel the pressure here more than enywere in my opinion. Dont not try it because of what you have heard because all dogs are different. Some will never swing no matter what you do and will always snap back to the point of loss. I will also say that if you keep her confidence biult up buy soloing her every once in a while that could keep things in order sometimes. Good luck and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

I think Wells Woods just made the post of the year.
Good post Greg!!!!!!!!!

Beagles are pack animals and the tendency to go with the pack is strong in most of them. And, some seem to have a real competitive spirit which could cause them to do things that they wouldn't do when running solo. There are some beagles that are independent and care less what their packmates do. You need to run your beagle with fast dogs and see the reaction. If it is unfavorable, don't do it again. I personally favor independent beagles but some beagles can be independent to a fault.

Unless you want to run one dog by yourself all the time go ahead and run her with a pack. Chances are she will do just fine. If she does get overcompetitive and start running rough, send her on down the line and find one that doesn't. There are plenty that don't have this fault.

Beagles that get overcompetitive when ran with other dogs are like coonhounds that fight at the tree. Both traits are faults that were created by competition (field trials and nite hunts). You can either hunt them alone all the time, sell them to someone who likes that type of dog or cull them for this fault and find yourself a good dog.