CHAPTER V 
Concerning Field Trials and Field Trial 
T raining 
TT might be well to state at the opening of this 
chapter that no one can be successful in the train¬ 
ing and handling of beagles unless he is familiar with 
the habits of rabbits. Whether the beginner intends 
to use his dogs for shooting purposes only, or 
whether he is interested in field trials, he cannot 
hope to bring his dog on successfully unless he 
knows something about the game he is hunting. 
There are various ways to learn these rudimentary 
essentials. In the first place, a study of natural 
history books will give him the theoretical knowl¬ 
edge; but this must be supplemented by actual 
experience in the field, and an abundance of it. 
If the beginner can find an old, experienced beagler 
and casts his fortunes with him for a season, he 
will learn much at first hand that will be beneficial 
for himself and for his dogs. 
Field trials for beagles have made marvelous 
strides during the past ten years; consequently, the 
beagler who may take up the breed at first with no 
intention of running dogs, will eventually become 
attracted; for trials may be held in his immediate 
vicinity, and few are the fanciers who would not 
attend a beagle trial, even if it is only curiosity, 
to see how it is done that impels them. After this 
initial experiment, the seed that was sown at the 
time begins to germinate and the chances are by 
another year this novice, who bought his first beagles 
( 84 ) 
