The Forgotten Traits Of A Hunting Beagle

The Forgotten Traits Of A Hunting Beagle by Jim Lane

The traits of a hunting beagle vary in opinion from person to person, kennel to kennel, hunter to hunter and in many instances judge to judge. But in most cases not for the right reasons. I mean, the proper hunting traits in a hunting beagle are what they are. The problem exists when our dogs do not possess these necessary traits that make a hunting dog be what it should be. So, rather than get rid of a dog or in some cases a kennel of dogs that do not meet the standards, people sometimes dismiss these traits and openly welcome denial of what their dogs are or worse yet, are not.

People claim certain traits are not needed, certain traits can be bred into or out of them, and certain traits are because of the way the dogs were inappropriately raised or trained. We must remember, excuses do not hunt, search, jump and run rabbits successfully, dogs with the proper traits that it takes to be successful do. However when a person or kennel has a large investment in their hounds such as hard work, time, an emotional attachment and money, an emotional battle will rise up and excuses and denial will sometimes overtake our ability to be realistic and objective. Sometimes we need a reality check. I would like to discuss several traits that are absolutely necessary for every successful hunting beagle, bar none.

The first and what I feel is the most important and hardest to find these days are a dog with extreme hunt and jumping ability.

Hunt & Jumping Ability is a desire to search and find the promising cover of a rabbit, and eagerness to explore it, regardless of hazards or discomfort. Regardless if it is hot, cold, dry, wet, in thick thorny brush or an open field, a dog must have the desire to adapt and still hunt. 

Adaptability means being able to adjust quickly to changes in scenting conditions and being able to work harmoniously with a variety of running mates. An adaptable hound will pursue a rabbit as fast as conditions permit or as slowly as conditions demand. At a loss, it will first work close, and then, if necessary, move out gradually to recover the line. Hounds should search independently of each other, in a productive manner, with sufficient range within control distance of the hunter. They should be obedient to his commands, yet head strong and determined to do whatever it takes to produce a rabbit under any condition or circumstance with non-stop pursuance.

Determination is that quality which causes a hound to succeed against severe odds.  A determined hound has a purpose in mind and will overcome, through sheer perseverance, many obstacles that often frustrate less determined running mates. Determination keeps a hound at its work as long as there is a possibility of achievement and quite often long after its body has passed the peak of its endurance. Determination is desire in its most intense form. If you have a hound that hunts part of the time, walks the paths, evades or goes around the thick brush, depends on you to jump the rabbit or can run a rabbit like no other, once the “other” dogs jump the rabbit. Do yourself a favor and scratch it! Give it away to a good home as a pet.

Nose & Trailing Ability is shown by a proficiency in keeping control of the trail while making the most accurate forward progress in the shortest amount of time. Remember this, a rabbit should be passionately pursued to catch with the intent to destroy, rather than just half heartedly followed with the intent to play with as a toy. A beagle’s actions should clearly, passionately and outwardly indicate a determined effort to make forward progress to the surest, most sensible and productive manner by adjusting speed to correspond to conditions and circumstances, proving that the dog not only has foot but also a nose and brains/intelligence.

Intelligence is that quality which influences a hound to apply its talents. The intelligent hound learns from experience and seldom wastes time by repeating mistakes. Intelligence is indicated by ability to adapt to changes in scenting conditions, to adapt and to control its work with various types of running mates, and to apply sound working principles toward accomplishing the most under a variety of circumstances and competitive pressures and speed. No hound can be too fast, provided the trail is clearly and accurately followed.  At a check, hounds should work productively, first close to where the loss occurred, then gradually and thoroughly extending the search further out until they regain the line.

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