The American Beagler Forum

I have a friend that called me and asked me if I wanted a dog, he is unable to get out and so he is going to get rid of his dog. The dog was bred by “Jimmy Adams” and in the dog’s pedigree is a lot of Gay and Bedlam. I know of the Gay bloodline but I don’t know of the Bedlam blood or Jimmy Adams. I had another friend that told me to stay away from the “Bedlam” because the Bedlam was prioritized as show dogs 1st and hunting dogs 2nd. He told me the pure Gay or the Gay & Dingus cross was great. He also said that he has an article from years ago where in an interview with Frank Reese, Mr. Reese stated that adding Bedlam to Gay added good looks but it killed their hunt, slowed them down and was a mistake. Can anybody tell me about Jimmy Adams, the Gay & Bedlam cross and what success has there been with these dogs and these crosses. Thanks, Brian Kessler

As far as the Gay/Bedlam cross goes I don't think I have ever heard mention by Mr. Reese or anyone else for that matter say the cross was a mistake, I think severaL good dogs came out of that cross. Now for Mr. Adams all I will say is proceed with caution if you have any direct dealings with him.

Bedlam Beagles is the kennel name for Mandy Bobbit's kennel.She is part of the National Beagle Club in Aldie,Virginia and her pack is one of the registered packs that run at the events there.Her husband Billy Bobbit[Glenbarr Beagles] is the president and also keeps his own registered pack.I believe they live in Rockbridge,Va.but I don't have ant contact info. for them.

The Bobbits are my neighbors so if you need a contact to them, let me know!


hounddog
Jim Umbarger

KesslerBeagles wrote:Mr. Reese stated that adding Bedlam to Gay added good looks but it killed their hunt, slowed them down and was a mistake. Can anybody tell me about Jimmy Adams, the Gay & Bedlam cross and what success has there been with these dogs and these crosses. Thanks, Brian Kessler

I'm familiar with Gay and Bedlam beagles from that period. I can assure you that the Bedlam beagles did not slow down nor kill their hunt. I watched Ch Bedlam Basil, Ch Bedlam Tiger Talk, Bedlam Boomer in the field several times. IMO, Mr Reese chose the wrong hound if he wanted hunt. Basil, IMO, as well has my hunting buddy's, who also saw them in the field, had the least hunt of the three. If that mating "killed their hunt" it's because he probably selected the wrong stud.
We tried out several of Mandy's hounds. They had outstanding hunt and were fearless in the briars. I was surprised that show bred dogs would have such little regard for their bodies in the field. They ran with a "run to catch" style and did not lack for speed. After a day in the field they would be scratched and bloody from their relentless hunt. IMO, if they were to be faulted, they were hot nosed and lacked stamina.
However, I crossed a gay baker bitch to CH Bedlam Tiger Talk and produced a bitch that seemed impossible to run out. Maybe it was "hybrid vigor". But she was tough as nails.

I have never had any direct dealings with Jimmy Adams but his website is called Alpine Kennels. It has lots of info about Frank Reese and the Gay/Baker bloodlines .

We have a female with some Bedlam breeding that I love. She is a true 13" jumping machine. She is a Ukc Grand Show Champion, a UKC grand Hunting Beagle Champion, and an ARHA Little Pack Rabbit Champion. She finished in LP in 5 hunts, including 2 wins strating at age 6. She is a true rabbit dog with great conformation. Her sire is GRHBCH GRCH Bedlam Maitre D. He was a good hound also before he passed on. From what I know about the line all the bench dogs were also hunting dogs. They were bred to hunt and to show also, but hunt was first. I wouldn't discard a good rabbit hunting line just because they have great conformation also. JMO