Beagle Showmanship

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, March 2014 issue.

Beagle Showmanship

The diversity of a canine breed is rarely as stratified as that of the Beagle. A devoted breed, the Beagle has always served as a reliable pet for families and is an excellent choice as a companion dog for almost every variety of canine. And of course, the Beagle is renowned for its excellent hunting and tracking capabilities. In fact, its ability to track a scent of a desired game has proven dependable for both survival purposes and competitive interests.

Consider that grandfathers and great grandfathers have regaled the younger generation with stories of hunting game with their Beagles to provide for winter’s provisions. A reliable hunting Beagle insured a steady supper on the table. In Europe, Beagles were hunted in groups, more commonly referred to as packs, to control local wild game populations. The tradition continues today and the Beagle is still used to track game, traditionally the rabbit, as an individual and as part of a pack.

In the United States there exist a multitude of Beagle clubs specifically designed for encouraging the single hunting Beagle which include local competitions. There also continues to be a large draw toward hunting Beagles in a pack formation and their history and competitive chronicles are quite remarkable.

The grounds of the National Beagle Club of America located at the Institute Farm in Aldie, Virginia are often considered the ‘epicenter’ of competitive pack activity. Over 400 acres of conserved property are maintained to preserve its historical farming attributes while encouraging a natural habitat for wildlife. It is a remarkable environment.

The first trial of the National Beagle Club of America Inc. was actually held in New England in 1890, but the environment was difficult and trying. Thus, interested parties sought a new location to hold competitions. Through circumstances they uncovered a Virginia property known as The Institute Farm in Aldie, Virginia. The Institute Farm was built in the 1850’s as an agricultural school and later a hospital during the Civil War. In 1916 a group of beaglers purchased the property as the Institute Corporation and this became the grounds of the National Beagle Club of America, Inc.

The beautiful stucco building, which is the center of The Institute Farm, had fabulous historic value but required extensive repair. While the building underwent renovation in the early to mid-1900s, cabins were constructed in the immediate vicinity of the main building to accommodate the attendees of the newly relocated Beagle trials. These cabins remain part of the structural environment and continue to be maintained by the trial participants adding to the unique history of The Institute Farm.

Competitions are held several times a year wherein clubs, which raise Beagles to hunt in a pack format, bring their hard-working hounds to the grounds to compete in classes which range six hunting hounds to sixteen hounds in a group. Their goal is successfully track a cottontail. It is only a tracking competition and there is no shooting involved. Beagle packs are judged on their ability to work as a team and accurately trail the cottontail.

In addition to the Beagle pack trials, there are individual hound trials held several times a year on the grounds of the Institute Farm, as well as prestigious bench shows and basset pack trials.

Raising a pack of hounds may seem an unorthodox way of a breed of canines, but a group atmosphere seems to fulfill the inner needs of the breed. And since the work detail of a tracking Beagle is often more successful when assisted by another Beagle, they are naturally prone to a lifestyle which lends itself to a group dynamic and the element of teamwork. For those who have witnessed a Beagle speak (bark) on the trail of a cottontail, there can be no doubt of their passion for tracking and pursuing their quarry. And to watch the enthusiastic response of the second (or third) Beagle upon hearing the cry of the first hound is a demonstration of a team which instantly bonds as one unit to work the trail (often referred to as the line) of the cottontail.

Raising Beagles with the intent of hunting them in pack format takes particular training and, like any canine instruction, starts at a young age. It begins with a breeding program that focuses upon conformational attributes which ensure excellent stamina and physical abilities. Researching and breeding to a line with proven abilities to trail a scent (or ‘a good nose’ as they say in the business) is imperative.

As a Beagle pup, making certain that the young Beagle responds to instruction and particular commands is vital. Most important is the ready response to general commands that implore the puppies’ return when called and steadfast encouragement that they remain in the proximity of the Huntsman (person who instructs the hounds) as they search for game in open territory. This is done through name training and even commands from the time that they are weaned until about eight to ten months when they are introduced to the trade of tracking. Of course, trust, a constant rapport, and hours of individual attention are the key to success.

Trained puppies are then introduced to their elders where they will prove their abilities in the ranks and become members of the larger team. In almost all instances, a successful pack is comprised of the wise elders, the learned progenies, and the inspiring youth. The group dynamic is ever-changing as hounds develop, learn, age, and retire while the Huntsman continually evaluates their individual efforts and how each hound will fit in as a member of a larger team.

In the United States, there exist several dozen packs of Beagles. Bloodlines date back well over a century and are tracked through a well-kept registry. These packs are registered with the National Beagle Club of America, Inc. and they must maintain this status should they wish to compete in the aforementioned competitions. Drenched in history, the Beagle is a breed of remarkable field abilities which may be witnessed in a variety of formats.