Appendix 313 



more leniently than similar faults of dogs in the all-age stake. The 

 purpose of the trials is to determine which dogs have the best natural 

 qualities and are the best field dogs for practical use. 



The perfect training and obedience of a dog shall not be necessary 

 to entitle him to win, natural merit being paramount. But every 

 dog must be so trained and under such control as to be susceptible 

 of handling to such an extent as to be of use in actual hunting on 

 the field and to enable the judges to properly judge of his merit as a 

 field dog. The purpose of the bird dog being to afford sportsmen 

 pleasant experience on the field, it is necessary for every dog in the 

 trials to be properly trained. 



RUNNING RULES FOR BEAGLE TRIALS 



(National Beagle Club of America. Foxhound trial rules, except that shoot- 

 ing is not considered, are in general on similar lines. Foxhound trials do not 

 present brace competitions. The hounds are run as a pack and the losers 

 weeded or spotted out) 



After the running of the first series is finished, the judges shall 

 announce which dogs they wish to see run again and order of run- 

 ning them. Discretion is given the judges to run the dogs as often 

 and in what order they think best, until they are satisfied which are 

 the best dogs. 



If competition is close, the judges are requested to give greater 

 credit to the dog that is obedient to the commands of his handler. 

 A dog will be expected to maintain an efficient range throughout a 

 heat and to show hunting sense in his work. Hunting sense is 

 shown by the desire to hunt for game, the selection of likely places 

 to hunt in, the method of hunting the places, the industry in staying 

 out at work, and the skill in handling and trailing the game after it 

 is found. 



The judges are instructed not to place undue credit on speed, it 

 being the desire of the Club that accuracy in trailing, voice, endur- 

 ance, starting abilities, style, and obedience be the principal points 

 of merit, but nothing in the foregoing shall excuse a dog for potter- 

 ing, or for failure to leave his handler in hunting his ground. Every 

 dog will be expected to go on when ordered, to cover his ground 

 thoroughly, to obey the commands of his handler, and to show a 

 desire and ability to find game as well as to drive it. 



