I own a young male who up until this weekend was thought to be very fast. I expected he was about an 8.5 on the 1-10 speed scale. After running with a "real" hare hound this weekend, and this young male got schooled on speed . I wonder if a dog that accually runs about an 8. can compete in Hare trials? He runs clean and has an honest mouth. But he didn't want to run with this female who I figured was at least a 9.5!
He went off and jumped his own and did a fine job. I know if I run him with her more he could hang, and learn to slot up behind her. But does it take a 9 or 10 to win?
Failure to prepare, is preparing to fail.
Shiawassee Bottom Beagles
I'm just getting into trialing as well. I thought my young bitch was fast until she was in the trial. I think the older dogs just have more experiance and have better learned how to use their nose. This means they can hammer on less scent and know how to work the checks better allowing them to get the lead. My young bitch placed fifth but I think she will improve as she has more experiance. I bet your male will be hammering with the older dogs in no time, good luck
ragged
Running him with a female that is a lot faster than him could cause him to pick up bad habits if he is competitive. Some dogs will learn to skirt and cut in order to make up for the lack of foot.
Big Dog
Black and Tans, Blue Ticks, and a few others bringing smoke
I agree with big dog. You may be doing more harm than good by running him with her. You didn't mention how old this dog was, you just stated that he was young. His age could make him more susceptable to learning how to cheat to beat her.
Just my opinion, but I would run him with a dog that was more closely matched to his running style, speed, and accomplishment. Better yet, solo him on hare to build his confidence.
Renee'
Education, Preservation, and Conservation ensures a "WILD" future for our children!
Good point! This male is a year and a half old. I'm going to go to this trial and see how he stacks up. I already told the owner of the fast female that I didn't want to run him with her. At least for another year.
Failure to prepare, is preparing to fail.
Shiawassee Bottom Beagles
adam it all depends who's judging and i don't want to here from deertick on this one in akc lph yes to compete in nmha you have to have a dog that has that speed at times when running is good they will run like that for hours when running is tuff it's more picking alot of lph judging is speed and driveyou also need a dog thatwants the front that is why i have always said everyone has a different opinion on speed as big dog said i have seen young dogs blow up do to the pressure they are put under in nmha some cast are 40 plus dogs per cast so i think you can lose grip of a dog if he has the heart but just might not have the extra foot start to skirt and swing to keep up
Big Dog, The trial I will be going to this weekend is an AKC "midwest" spo on cottontail. I'm told the judges will be looking for a clean running hound with good foot. And that usually they pick up the extreamly fast hounds out front creating all the checks, as well as the dogs bringing up the rear.
I guess I'll know what i'm getting into when I get there. I do know this, If this young dog starts cutting and cheating to compete, I wont need a judge to tell me to pick him up. I'll have already done it!
Failure to prepare, is preparing to fail.
Shiawassee Bottom Beagles
If it is a midwest trial then I say go for it, The dogs will have plenty of foot but from what I observed most of the dogs were the high side of medium fast to low end fast, there were a few that were super fast but I didn't find speed to be an issue. lack of hunt, extra mouth, cutting, skirting and slashing and poor check work will get you picked up faster than anything else. As long as your dog is doing some good work you should be fine. I was scared it was a Large Pack trial, in large pack you can blow a dog up pretty quick especially in the big male class.
Black and Tans, Blue Ticks, and a few others bringing smoke
. I wonder if a dog that accually runs about an 8. can compete in Hare trials? He runs clean and has an honest mouth. But he didn't want to run with this female who I figured was at least a 9.5!