The beagle breed has never ceased to fascinate me. I have always been amazed that a hunting beagle could track a cottontail rabbit by it's scent.There is something special about following two or three field champion caliber beagle hounds as they track there quarry. These runs are marked by accuracy on the line, accuracy giving tongue, and cooperation at the checks and during the run. That is why we many times hear someone say after watching a good run that "You could have thrown a blanket over them."
There are several traits that make a field champion beagle. The traits that can be bred into field trial caliber beagle puppies are these:
#1 An excellent nose
#2 A quick claiming and accurate tongue
#3 An intense desire to track, pursue game, and run all the line
#4 Intelligence
#5 A level disposition
#6 Independence
#7 The right degree of competitiveness
How do we identify these traits?
Certainly a dog must possess enough nose to stick to the run. A hound with enough nose will be able to track game in a variety of conditions and terrains for long periods of time. Nothing was more frustrating to me then when I had a hound that possessed almost everything but the nose. I would sometimes watch her at a check for up to 30 minutes only to have her die because she could not smell game anymore.
A quick claiming tongue is an indication of nose. My better nosed dogs had one thing in common - when they smelled scent they did not waste time telling you. Although tongue can be modified somewhat by over training or laying a hound up for a while, an accurate tongue is mostly genetic.
One way to spot an intense desire to track is believe it or not what is called a "cold nose." If a hound can smell and track an old line, you know it has a good nose, and you also know it has that intense desire to track. These hounds will not disappoint you at a tough check.
One way to spot intelligence is direction. My smarter hounds seemed to know which direction to head when they had scent. I remember one hound that I had that would never give up. He had an excellent nose and mouth, but he lacked intelligence and fumbled constantly at a check and on the line.
A level disposition is a must. This trait separates the great ones from the run of the mill. When you see it you can not miss it. This hound will not rush to believe another hound giving tongue at a check until he knows that that hound is on game. these dogs will never fight for the lead but fall in behind and honor a hound that has picked a check. They do not dance around, but are flat footed and smooth on the line. Hounds like these are a pleasure to watch. Many years ago I watched Fd. Ch. Omena Black Friday put his nose into a fresh squat, tremble with excitement, and with all four feet planted make a 1/4 turn while giving tongue and ease straight away on the line in full control. Fortunately he was able to pass on his disposition and the other traits mentioned above to his offspring and become a great producer.
Independence is another great trait. An independent hound will actually "turn loose" and let go of a wilder hound that is hurrying and missing pieces of the line so that he can run all the line accurately. He can not be so independent that he does not pay attention to good running mates, but he should only listen and hark in to his running mate when they begin to make progress on game. He never fights for the lead.
A hound does have to be somewhat competitive. The right degree of competitiveness allows the hound to stay in a good run without hurrying. These hounds also will not fight for the lead or out run their noses.
If a breeder can identify these traits in his breeding stock, he will be on the right track to breeding a field champion beagle. Buy the best bred bitch you can afford with as many of these traits as possible, and breed to a proven producer with these same traits, and you will be on your way to a successful breeding program.
Max Scholz has had the pleasure of owning four A.K.C field champions having bred three of them. He also used his beagles to hunt cottontails and fox. If you want to save money on gas and make money to support your field trial or hunting hobby, visit Max's site Serious Income Online [http://www.superfuelsaverplus.com], visit Max's marketing [http://www.superfuelsaverplus.com] website.
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