The American Beagler Forum

I always wondered why we didn't do something like this:

Have a fun run where say, 30 dogs are entered. Roll them out in casts of 5 or 6, then ALL handlers/owners (not just the 5 in that pack) go to watch the dogs run. At the end of the time period, all handlers vote (piece of paper into a hat type thing) on which dog performed best out of that pack.

This is where you would have to be honest houndfolks and not vote for your own dog if you know in your heart he wasn't the best that day.

The dog with the most votes moves on to a final run-off. Bring out another six and do the same. The 5 or 6 top dogs that were chosen by the handlers would then be cast as a pack and the same process would apply. All handlers judge to see which dog performs the best overall. That would be your TOP DOG of the day. No second, third, etc. One trophy to give out for the Top Dog, then fire up the barbecue, ice down the coolers, and visit the rest of the evening.

No counting and timing things like 15 second checks, no giving points, just pure ol' good hunting and keeping a rabbit moving. We all know how good dogs are suppose to perform. We all know sometimes a check is only 8 seconds, but it's still a check. We all know that a jump is often blind luck. We all know that on some days it's gonna take 4 minutes to produce a rabbit after first strike instead of 3 minutes, or whatever. Don't use the rules of any other format, because they all have major flaws that sometimes prevent bringing back the best dog of the day.

Instead, let everyone judge, everyone vote, and the Top Dog of the day will be determined by the observations and opinions of the entire group. That would have to say something for the dog, at least for that day. We could call it a Top Dog Event, lol. No pressure for points, no pressure for championship - just a bunch of beaglers running their hounds and declaring the best one that day.

Whattya think?

In my mind, we do this every time we go run dogs with friends. We go home and say to ourselves, "Matt's dog killed us today..." and we are proud for Matt's dog. The next time we go out, maybe it's one of our dogs that dominates. It's what we do on a day-to-day basis, we just don't call it an event.

Sounds like a winner to me, like you said that's if you can keep everyone honest.

We used to that very thing with coyote hounds. Do what ever you were big enough do, but be a gentleman. Drink beer whatever, but if you caused trouble you could be barred from the next one. We had a lot of fun and laughs.

sounds good to me

Great idea Bev. That would put the fun back into trialing. When and where?

hounddog
Jim Umbarger

LOL. It would need to be somewhere central to people, maybe even move around if folks like it and want to do it again. We would need a place where it was centrally located AND easy for everyone to see the dogs. Doesn't do much good to have a location but the cover is so thick you can't see the dogs or the rabbit. No good to have a great place to watch the dogs, but it's in Montana and nobody can come, lol. The time of year could dictate the cover issue.

Jack wrote:We used to that very thing with coyote hounds. Do what ever you were big enough do...

That's the whole point. Be big enough to know you got beat that day, and be big enough to give credit where credit's due. Next time it may be your dog's day. This is what I would consider "grass roots" beagling.

I have found by following and attending some of these fox trials, many of which are judged by the entire group, the really good dogs consistently come to the top - regardless of whose dog it is, and it has gained its accolaides by a group of folks who actually watch the dog run, not by virtue that it's particular running style fits some measured and timed format. These dogs are the ones folks will end up breeding to.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this one Bev, I could'nt tell you how many times you come back from a cast knowing the best dog did'nt win cause of bad luck, taking a little minus on baby rabbits or something like that. I would love to attend this hunt and watch the cream rise to the top!!!!!!

Maybe I am wrong but wouldn't you have to say most trial formats started this way back in the old days??? Now look at what we have created a group where we pee and moan over every minor detail.... The formats we have now wouldn't be bad if everyone could take a deep breath and enjoy listening to dogs, houndsmen and being in the outdoors.... Great idea Bev but I think you will soon find one bad apple just might run the entire crop.....

Sounds like fun! Until you get different speeds drawn out together!
Example: Most folks running Progressive Pack don't care much for Little Pack! LOL!

The dog that gets the most done wins, period. I think if a mixture of folks start really looking at the dogs, and have to admit/agree on which dog was the best performer, the speed issue will straighten itself out. Being on the front all the time isn't always getting the most done if the others are cleaning up behind it all the time. Being the last dog isn't going to get much if anything on the others, either.

Just my opinion, but there really is an optimum speed/efficiency ratio that I think most people would agree on. It's just that so many of us breed for "one trial style or the other". I'd wager to say this would be an event where the tweener dog could shine. But, it all boils down to the vote, so we'd just have to see.

I think you can also do this same thing - while gun hunting w/ a much smaller group....probably many of us already do. 3 - 5 hunters and a couple dogs each. Run and gun for 1/2 a day....everybody knows which dog(s) are dominating and being the most productive.

If your dog dominated that day - you won't have to talk him up the others will be quick to praise the most productive dog(s).

I think its a fun part of rabbit hunting to give compliments to others like "that was your blue dog that got that jump wasn't it?"

-Pete

Pete you are exactly right... We do that everytime we run dogs.... Always a friendly competition no matter who puts out... Its a great time

Ok Were Game!!! Where? When? Make it a weekend deal! Anybody Got a club they will volunteer?
How about the Owensburro-ohio County Club Where they held the Nats?
Or one of the Ohio Clubs that have tons of Rabbits.
Anybody Got a few Acres Prime runnin Ground They would Share?
2 dog max for each person till the 30 dog max is reached or What?
I have 5 I could enter!!!

Sounds like a good time to me.....If we had more rabbits Our club would love to have you....But seriously if you guys decide to have something like that let us know and we'll be there....I'm sure between me and Little Jack (Xdawg) we could find a place to run 30 hounds. I think that is the format all trials should be anyway....

Chaffin Crank