IMHO "jumping the rabbit" is just a very small part of the overall picture here. I've seen a few dogs who can jump one but gets it's butt kicked every where else. It's not that important except for getting a score or "getting a dog out of your way" in some formats and that's it. While hunting for food on the table, the ability to "jump" doesn't help that much. It's simple. Get a rabbit up by any means and get the dogs on it if they're not. Stand still for a while and guess what? If you've got decent dogs and you're a good shot, BOOM, you've got food for the table. Jump ability is over rated.
I'll say it again, the ability to jump is way over rated. Check work, line control, speed, control of speed, brains, hunt, all these rate higher in my book. If any one of those are missing you'll have a tough day hunting whether your dog can jump or not. Even correct use of mouth, endurance or stamina, willing to work as a pack, rates just as high if not higher than jump.
Jeremy Mapes, you would make an excellent politician looking at the way how you spin peoples words. The proof in that is shown above in red. That is two actual quotes from me. I said "JUMP" not "HUNT". There is a difference. You've seen it where one dog beats the brush to submission while another is much more methodical. Both are good in my book. Just like what Mike Crabtree said to me:
Chief, Here I quoted myself from the earlier post If you read it all this time you will probably feel like a real dumbazz for smarting off to me. I actually said someyhing negative about UKC and something Positive about AKC. Try reading someones post before you get all high and mighty.
NOUGH SAID.
rabbitearl To answer your first question, AKC rules are more vague than any other format. Here’s an example taken out of the:
Beagle
Field Trial Rules
And Standard Procedures for
Brace, Small Pack
and Small Pack Option
Field Trials and Two-Couple
Pack Hunting Tests
Amended to March 2007
Published by The American Kennel Club
GENERAL PROCEDURES GOVERNING
BEAGLE FIELD TRIALS
PROCEDURE 5. STANDARD FOR JUDGING
5-B Definitions—Desirable Qualities
Pursuing ability is shown by a proficiency for
keeping control of the trail while making the best possible
progress. Game should be pursued rather than
merely followed, and actions should indicate a determined
effort to make forward progress in the surest,
most sensible manner by adjusting speed to correspond
to conditions and circumstances. Actions
should be positive and controlled, portraying sound
judgment and skill. Progress should be proclaimed by
tonguing.
No hound can be too fast, provided the trail
is clearly and accurately followed. At a check, hounds
should work industriously, first close to where the
loss occurred, then gradually and thoroughly extending
the search further afield to regain the line.
Accuracy in trailing is the ability to keep consistent
control of the trail while making the best possible
progress. An accurate trailing hound will show a
marked tendency to follow the trail with a minimum of
weaving on and off, and will display an aptness to turn
with the trail and to determine direction of game travel
in a positive manner.
Here’s a link to their rule book:
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RF2404.pdf (The rules for judging a dog starts on page 19.)
In other words it’s up to the judges on how they interpret the words “No hound can be too fast, provided the trail is clearly and accurately followed” . UBGF judges, slow dogs, want a dog that straddles the line and very close to the check while Mid-West, fast dogs, is a little more forgiving. Both types of dogs progress the rabbit. Just like us, it’s all what you like.
My partners and I have 14 dogs among all three of us. To answer your second question, one partner has six dogs. Two are pets, one being a Pit Bull and the other a beagle that means a lot to him. I have no idea how much "jump" ability they both have. I'd say the Pit Bull "don't need any"!
I jump when I see him! Does that count? The other four dogs consist of two of which I'd say has "jump" to the max while the other two are slower in hunt but are more methodical than the first two.
The other partner has seven beagles. One is nothing more than a pet and has yet to be giving a chance to see what it could do. Of the six remaining, at least one has "jump", two are more methodical, two are still being evaluated and one is just a pup.
Me? I have one old maid who I would say she had "jump" in her day but she is now just a pet. Problem was she'd jump more than just rabbits.
To end this, I breed for "hunt" in my dogs hoping to get "jump" but it's not necessary. There is a difference. If I have a dog with no-hunt, he/she is gone with lead poisoning of the brain at a high rate of speed.
Peace Jimbo