The American Beagler Forum

Just wanted some input on mouth. I have a 7 mos old pup he started when he was 5 m/o . He does a great job chasing the rabbit but he doesn't have a bawl mouth. He uses it right, he is not too mouthy or anything but it is just a yip-bark. My question is should he develop a better bawl as he matures?

I have a beagle that starts out w/ a bit of a yip and squeel, but once she has the rabbit really going it turns to a nice steady chop. I'd just guess that your pup would be more likely to develop a chop than a bawl. But, don't know of sure. I like a mixture of mouth in my pack, just a long as they are loud enough to hear - makes the pack sound great! I have one dog that honestly sounds like a squeeling pig chasing a rabbit. Some people probably don't like that kinda mouth - but it makes me laugh, especially when she is all tore up on a track and really gets to squeeling!

Sometimes, they will drop down into a bawl as they mature. However, this is not always the case. I have a female that sounds like a real beagle in the front yard. When she barks at anything that excites her, she has a real bawl. But, when she's in the woods on a rabbit, you'd almost swear she had a leg in a trap or something. she is definitely a squeeler, and she shows no signs of changing. She's almost 2 years old now. On a positive note, I wouldn't get too hung up on the sound. If your dog is doing everything else right, I'd keep it. My female is one hard hitting beagle, and I wouldn't dream of culling her because of the sound of her call. Heck, I'd own a pink beage that sounded like a duck as long as it had hunt and lots of it. *Brian*

From my experience, less than half of the hounds I've seen have a bawl mouth. There are as many types of mouth as there are styles of hound. However, I definately think that your hound's voice will improve with maturity and develop into a good voice whether or not it actually becomes the classic bawl mouth. As long as the voice carries as far as your hound is likely to get away from you, voice itself is just a matter of preference.

I have a male that sounds like someone has ahold of his throat for all there worth when hes on a rabbit. It sounds funny but I have come to like it because I can tell its him and his voice carries alot farther than any of my other hounds even over my coonhounds. His voice however has not changed in the the last three years since I got him at 8 months old.

The dog may not be a bawl mouth dog. If he is yipping he will probably end up being a chopper and will probably give better and more mouth as his confidence builder. I have gone thru about 12 dogs in the last 2 years and have only had one bawler, and he goes to a chop when he is in high gear. I prefer chop mouth dogs though so it's no big deal to me.

Big Dog

Thanks guys for all the response. He is doing really well and I don't think I am going to get rid of him for any voice he may have. I have had some dogs that have had some huge faults and this dog is the first to be a real rabbit dog so he can sound any way he wants. Just wanted some thoughts from some of you guys that have the experience. I am still learning and I really appreciate all the response.

I owned a hound once that was sold at a bargain basement price because he wouldn't open up and hammer like his littermates. When he turned 2, he started letting it rip. He would start with a whine and a yelp and blast into a machine gun chop. He is 2 wins away from grand rabbit champion now, and may finish out this month. Don't give up yet. I had an oldtimer tell me once that some dogs mouths don't mature until around 3. Some that are too tight will loosen up around then, too. I let another go that happened to. I let him go because he would only bark once about every 50-60 yards. He was otherwise an excellent jump dog, had fair speed, tons of hunt. What I'm saying is, I have given up on some good hounds too soon. Don't make the same mistake.

You ought to be thankful it doesnt have a mouth like Lynn Perkins, or Ramey. , then you would have something to worry about

LOL