Which is harder to win in, ARHA, UKC, or AKC.

[BNSKennels]

This is for the field trialers that have been doing this for a very long time, just want your input. If you have a hound that can compete in all three, what do you think is harder to win or champion a hound out.

[Joseph J Murphy]

I think that most of the time it takes a good hound to win in any of the three.However I think it is toughest to win in AKC.I have competed in all three an have yet to win in AKC.AKC Midwest gundog is still my favorite although it has been a while since I have competed in one.

J Murphy

[Mapel Valley Kennels LLC.]

Many a great hound from arha went to akc, only to realize the heartbreak that maybe swingers can not finish as expected. I have always been told that ukc is more handling than hounds.I vote hands down AKC.

[Aaron Bartlett]

AKC
No doubt about it!

[Eva's Beagles]

I have only been trialing for about 5 years, but I have been running hounds fo 35 years. In the 5 years of trialing I have raised from pups and ran hounds in all 3 formats by myself with no handlers. I have UKC champions and grands, I have a dog with a 1st and a 2nd in 2 trials in ARHA. If I am lucky I could champion him in the next trial with a 4th or better. I have 2 different dogs with places in AKC, but no firsts. I would say AKC is definately the hardest. Part of the reason is the limited number of trials in AKC, and the number of clubs within a days commute. UKC clubs can have up to 7 hunts in a year, I have 4 clubs within 100 miles, and one 160 miles away. If they each had only 4 trials a year that's still 20 oppurtunities to place a hound in a years time. There are only 3 AKC SPO clubs within 100 miles and they only have 1 trial each. I am not totally familiar with ARHA rules as to how many trials they can have in a year, but there are 4 clubs within 120 miles to get it done in.

Another reason as I see it is the requirements for championships. AKC wants 3 wins and 120 points to finish. UKC wants one win and 100 points, same as ARHA.

The last reason is the points system, in UKC, an ARHA, if you win the trial with only 10 dogs entered you get 40 points toward champion. In AKC you would only get 10 points, even with a great dog, with these numbers it would take you 12 wins to finish.

Please understand I am not ripping on any format or praising one over the other. I have ran in all of them and had a great time doing it in each format. It takes a good dog to win in all of them. I love my UKC HBCH's and when he becomes an ARHA champion he will still not go anywhere. I will continue to try and finish a dog in AKC, hopefully with a little luck I can do it, just remember this is only my opinion, Brian Eva.

[golden acres]

If the question is to champion hands down AKC, but the question is what format to get a win in. It depends on what type of dog you run where in the country you are running. In Michigan there are a lot more ARHA clubs to have more opportunity. From what I have seen many dogs that win in Spo could win in Arha or UKC. I have seen dogs that win in Arha that could not win in SPO, because of the swinging, but there are many that could, it is not like we are running totally different Pedigrees in each division. I do wish that ARHA would go to a 2 win rule to champion. Just my opinion I like all 3 of these formats.

[CHAD CAMPBELL]

AKC
No doubt about it!

[kentucky mobster 08]

akc is who you know.dogs winning and getting in the winner pack that ran off game that a joke.

[_luckyone]

I have run in all three formats and had wins in all, but I think AKC is the hardest format to finish a dog in.

Paul

[Ark]

Id have to say AKC also. Winning 3 trials is hard enough but that alone still isnt good enough.

[CPC]

Judges makes all the differences in any format.

[Mapel Valley Kennels LLC.]

akc is who you know.dogs winning and getting in the winner pack that ran off game that a joke.

Hosea 8;7. Remember that verse. You will reap what you sow. Sometimes i enjoy readings guys quotes.You have too be careful how you speak of a certain format at times. Especially if you enjoy going to trials.The second thing to think about , everyone complains about judging,but will not judge themselves. Hmmm . Why dont more people help out ? Guess its easier to bitch than help. If trials stopped tommorow, Would you still keep hounds? I just get sorta burnt listen too people moan and bellyache, but they are always there everytime i am. Lord knows we all get screwed some where down the line but, best thing too do is suck it up or quit. Just remember hosea 8;7= we reap what we sow


The Valley.

[Spruce Ridge Beagler]

Many good points have been made in previuos post.
Some that have not are that once a dog makes FC in AKC it is sometimes run against dogs that are not FC. In the other formats there is a progression of talent from open or registered to champion to grand. I think of it like a high school ball player against a pro. I think a 1 or 2 yr old dog should be beat by a 3 or 4 yr. old dog thus making it harder to FC in AKC but there are exceptions no doubt ! Maybe an ARHA grand is the equivalent to an AKC FC needing 5 wins ?

While congratulating an AKC/UKC trailer that won and placed in ARHA LP open class with relative ease, I pointed out that it would be interesting to see how that same dog fared in the champion class where it belongs, having seen it run im'e shure it will do well just not as easy. I also judged an AKC FC that is now an IFC at a little pack hunt and the dog was put out in the first round. The owner later called me and admitted that he thought it would be a cakewalk for the dog.
One thing I like about AKC is classes, meaning 13", 15", males , females.
They all have pro's and cons, a TRUE rabbit dog will do well in any format. I go to field trials for comradery and to see other dogs, maybe find a dog to breed to or one I want a pup out of. The only way to do that is to get off your arse and judge!
I do not go to a specific format because it is easy to win!
Maple Valley I would definately own dogs if trialing quit tommorow, I had em before trialing and will definately have them after but I must admit it would not be as fun. The day I quit havin fun at trials is the day I quit trialing.

[Ohiohntr]

akc is who you know.dogs winning and getting in the winner pack that ran off game that a joke.

Hosea 8;7. Remember that verse. You will reap what you sow. Sometimes i enjoy readings guys quotes.You have too be careful how you speak of a certain format at times. Especially if you enjoy going to trials.The second thing to think about , everyone complains about judging,but will not judge themselves. Hmmm . Why dont more people help out ? Guess its easier to bitch than help. If trials stopped tommorow, Would you still keep hounds? I just get sorta burnt listen too people moan and bellyache, but they are always there everytime i am. Lord knows we all get screwed some where down the line but, best thing too do is suck it up or quit. Just remember hosea 8;7= we reap what we sow


The Valley.

Yep Jim...you hit the nail on the head, my frustration is building

As FTS for our club I am trying to line up judges for our fall AKC trial. I try to mix it up as much as possible and not have the same people judge our trial back to back but it seems impossible. So far out of calling 23 judges I have only gotten 7 to commit to judging....the number #1 reason...."I'm out of judging, it is a thankless job and the only ones who appriciate what you do are the others who judge as well....call so and so". Soon we will just be using the same 8-15 judges for every trial because I have talked to other FTS and they are having the same problem.

[houndsound]

For me it's easy.... they are all pretty tough to win in as I have such junky dogs !

dk