Beech Tree News Network

The running grounds of the National Beagle Gundog Federation located in Jetson recently was the scene of a massive National Beagle Event. Over a two day period hundreds of hounds, their owners and handlers rallied at the 228 acre site where the dogs were let loose in packs to be judged on how well they could track renegade rabbits. 

This particular Event was a Championship National Run Off sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and participants competed for trophies and points. A total of ninety three Clubs were entered in the competition from states as far away as Delaware and Oklahoma.

The UBGF facility has a modern clubhouse, horse corral, newly built kennels and a brand new “People Mover” wagon to serve as a shuttle. President Rick McDonald is more than willing to tell you that the facility took a lot of planning and work but that “It is a dream come true for a bunch of people that like to get together with their dogs”.

On the grounds there are three enclosed pens where wild and  loose cotton tails are kept for the purpose of testing the tracking skills of the Beagles. Once the hounds arrive, they were set loose in packs and with their handlers and judges following close by they are awarded points by how well they track a renegade rabbit. Female packs of dogs thatre 13" and 15" are all run one day and male packs on another.

The hounds also were judged by Conformation judge Kathleen Williams from Illinois.

Some of the things Kathleen looks for are straight legs for stamina ,good body shape and from and the length of the ears. The cheerful Beagle being a hound when it runs its ears will flop and the more ear, well the more flop. The larger  surface area and flop of a ear help drive more scents towards a hounds nose. Kathleen also goes on to say “This is the best grounds in the country because it is centrally located, has good terrain and nice facilities”.

The UBGF is a national organization that hosts several throughout the year  Events in Butler County and also awards a Scholarship yearly to a High School student.
For more information visit their web site at  www.ubgf.org/

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By Jim Baird, for Beech Tree News