Hug a Brace Beagler for me today

[big mike 50]

I know there are few if any Brace Beaglers on this forum but I was accepted into a Brace club that is less than three miles from my house last week. I have been working around 70 hours a week for the last 7 weeks and have our first child (boy ) due in September so between doctors appointments birthing class and work the dogs have just sat in the kennels for the last few months. I got my key to the club last Tuesday and had the day off so I went and cut the dogs loose at day break and wow did I miss the music. I have about two weeks until I have a few more long work weeks and that club is going to save me so much time and gas it isn't even funny. Plus I am excited about learning about trapping and breeding from a bunch of old timers even though they run a totally different dog. Plus they just had their licensed trial and those old gals can put out a spread for a field trial. It was four days of some of the best eating this fat boy has done in a while. Just thought I would share my good fortune with you all and remind us gunners that those Brace guys aren't all bad.

[DRamey]

I agree Mike. I got my start in beagling from my uncle who was a brace beagler. He gave me his rejects which were fine for gunning over. I remember sitting out front of the Webster Co. Beagle club bldg in Pa. back in the '70s listening to the hounds "run" but for a boy, it was sweet. Brace beaglers have every right to their likes/dislikes even though it's not for me. If you were to go back 12-15 generations in the pedigrees of LP, Midwest, etc. hounds, you would find Pearson Creek Carson, Wilcliffe Bannister and Boogie, etc., all brace hounds.

[Alabama John]

Mike and Ramey,

I agree with you both. Some of the nicest men and women you'll ever meet. My old club, The Magic City Beagle Club from the 50's is still in existence and its beautiful. Also close to my home. Sad part is not many young folks, mostly older. Saw many of the old lines and famous dogs of yesteryear run and how trialers in the NEW formats would be surprised to see how AKC Trial dogs have changed.

Countless hours of volunteers working to make it great for their trials.

[DRamey]

John, and the cooperation. My uncle had a card in a card file with his name on it. He got dog food from the storeroom, beer from the fridge, and whatever was on hand and wrote it on the card. At the end of the month he settled up. Club members got dog food at a discount that way and had a good advantage. Doubt that could happen today.

[Alabama John]

Ramey,

This is probably where I put my foot in it, but, notice I said mostly old folks.

Trust was something that was taught back then.

[Salzer mtn]

I have a question about brace clubs. Do they refer to themselves as tradtional brace or is this word traditional been added on by other beagle clubs ? I also heard someone refer to them as modern brace.

[big mike 50]

I didn't hear any of the guys call themselves or thier dogs traditional Brace they just always say they run a slower dog. Personally I like the format. I would like to see the Mid-West hold a Brace trial. It would have to have a time limit on the braces but I think it would be an outstanding way to sort the best dog out of a pack if you dropped them two at a time and let them fight it out in front of everybody.

[dave g]

mike, lets do it. that sounds like my type of game. i have never been to a brace trial how are the dogs judged.

later, dave

[packmaster]

There is an old brace club near my house that I tried to get permission to run my dogs in,and the guy said absolutly not.we dont let them fast dogs run in here. .The clubhouse just sits there empty,and the nice fenced running grounds are very rarely used.except for tresspassers deer hunting it.what a shame.Glad you had some luck.

[mjd]

good deal mike ,our club has both traditional and gun dog

[TallPaul]

I think you got lucky. Back home, my buddies live 3 minutes from one, Not a chance in H@#L they'll ever get invited to join, unless they sell their gun dogs.

[mjd]

i live 5 miles from one and thats how they are,wont take any new members regaurdless ,the one im in is 8 miles from me ,we all get along fine,if the traditional guys show up while we are running we pick up our dogs and let them drop theirs,they started the club so they should and do have rights over us gundog guys

I think you got lucky. Back home, my buddies live 3 minutes from one, Not a chance in H@#L they'll ever get invited to join, unless they sell their gun dogs.

[big mike 50]

I think they were reluctant to let me join but they had less than a dozen members and they were haveing a hard time paying the taxes on the 90 acres. Like mjd says I will pick my dogs up if the brace guys show up to run thier dogs and be fine with doing that. They have some really good fish frys to raise money in the spring and fall to raise money as well and I started going to those a year ago to talk to the guys and ask about membership, plus the food is great.

[golden acres]

there is a 100 acre been onwed by a brace club 8 miles from my home. They do not allow anything other than brace in their pen. THe kicker is they do not run in the pen anymore. The members no longer hold trials and when the the last member passes they have donated the grounds to the city.

[Alabama John]

Some were set up that the last man living gets it all in his name.
I think that type of deal is illegal in some states now but was popular many years ago.
Maybe that's why the don't want a new younger man coming into their membership?

Sure makes them take their vitamins!!!!