The American Beagler Forum

What is meant by this term "rabbit wise beagle" ?

When I hear that term used I think it describes a hound that has a knack for finding rabbits. I've had one of these hounds in my lifetime and very seldom did she ever miss a rabbit and usually would jump 90% of the rabbits no matter who went with me. There are a lot of dogs that have good hunt but being rabbit smart makes them a jump dog. It can also refer to other aspects of a hound but this is what I think of when that term is used.

When I hear the term rabbit wise, I think of a dog that has been around long enough to figure out the tough tracks, such as a "dog wise" rabbit. I have seen rabbits back track, then jump 15 feet into a weed bed with no trails going into it, and no scent leading to where the rabbit is, then set tight. A novice beagle would only find this rabbit by luck. A rabbit wise dog would figure out the back track, recognize the track ended, and procede to find the rabbit knowing it is sitting nearby. To me that dog is "rabbit wise". In other words, wise to a rabbit's tricks.
Thanks,
Bob

That's usually what I call a swinger....

Rcoff wrote:When I hear the term rabbit wise, I think of a dog that has been around long enough to figure out the tough tracks, such as a "dog wise" rabbit. I have seen rabbits back track, then jump 15 feet into a weed bed with no trails going into it, and no scent leading to where the rabbit is, then set tight. A novice beagle would only find this rabbit by luck. A rabbit wise dog would figure out the back track, recognize the track ended, and procede to find the rabbit knowing it is sitting nearby. To me that dog is "rabbit wise". In other words, wise to a rabbit's tricks.
Thanks,
Bob

+1 IMO rabbit wise is figuring out the tough tracks

Dog with enough brains to remember a wiley rabbits tricks

Wise to a rabbits tricks. Well said Bob

I was talking to a trialer one time and he made the statement about a certain AKC spo bloodline ( med speed, close check work) and he said that trialers that run this line try to finish out the males at a young age because when they get older they tend to get rabbit wise.

I was told it means the dog thinks about where the rabbit went instead of actually tracking it. But that could be wrong just what an old timer told me.