The American Beagler Forum

purely from a hunting stand point what speed of beagle is the best to hunt cottontail with.

I believe a Medium Fast Hound with close line control cant be beat. A Hound that can circle a rabbit as long as rabbit will run.

I agree with Jim O. A dog that runs when he can yet stays close on a check can circle them hour after hour until they hole, are caught, or shot. Unfortunately, many beaglers seem to be enthralled with either style or owning the lead dog.

I prefer a pack with a good mix of speed. Some conditions and situations favor a slower dog and some favor a faster dog, take some of each and you will see more rabbits.

I think speed itself has nothing to do with how well a dog can circle rabbits. I'd say brains play a bigger role.

I have had the best rabbit hunting with a dog that adjusts his speed to the running conditions. Fast when conditions are good and medium when conditions are poor. A dog that does this from an early age makes the best rabbit dog when he matures. Search and jump abillity are just as important as speed when it comes to baggin bunnies. Dan M