Beagle Questions and Answers
QUESTION – I hear that UKC is starting a new Beagle format. What is it? How will it affect the Hunting Beagle program and how will it work?
Answer – Yes, United Kennel Club is looking into a new Beagle format. We are in the process of setting that program up. The program will be different than anything UKC has ever done as far as Beagles go, but is very familiar ground to us as far as putting on coonhound events. UKC prides itself on licensing some of the most professionally run events in the country. Currently, we license over 12,000 events for dogs.
This new format will NOT affect the day-to-day happenings of the Hunting Beagle program. They will be completely separate programs. Dogs will earn different degrees, they will run under different rules and they will most likely be at different clubs. Some clubs may choose to run both formats to benefit all of their members.
Hopefully, next month we will be in a position to announce more of the rules and more of the details. We have a meeting scheduled for early December to work out all of the details.
QUESTION – What will the program rules be like? I have heard that they will be similar to the current Progressive Pack rules.
Answer – Yes, they will be a similar set of rules. The committee we have put together has some really great ideas for a program that resembles that program, but by no means is it going to be an exact copy.
QUESTION – Will the dogs who are participating in the new program be eligible for the Incentive Fund program?
Answer – Yes, most definitely. The Incentive Fund programs success has been overwhelming for United Kennel Club. It is only logical to bring the new Beagle program on line immediately with the Incentive Fund. I foresee the new program placing dogs identically as the Hunting Beagle program: 1st through 10th Registered, 1st place Champion (2nd and 3rd for bigger hunts) and 1st place Grand. As long as the new format awards championship points the same way as the Hunting Beagle program, there will be no problem including the new format in the Incentive Fund.
QUESTION - How will this affect the Incentive Fund?
Answer – The only way this will affect the Incentive Fund is for the better. It means more people participating in the fund, leading to more money being paid out.
QUESTION – In some registries, you can’t tell what format a dog finished its degree in as they are all the same. Will this be the same way with UKC?
Answer – Absolutely not! There will be two programs with dogs earning titles under completely different formats, therefore they will be completely different degrees. The Hunting Beagle program will keep the same titles, and the new program will issue new titles. Those titles will be announced at a later date.
QUESTION – Will the new program have bench shows? How will they work?
Answer – Yes, the new program will have bench shows. UKC firmly believes in the Total Dog philosophy, and a dog should be able to perform in the field and have correct conformation. I foresee the bench shows in the new format being identical to those of the Hunting Beagle program. Furthermore, I foresee the same requirements to enter. UKC currently recognizes over 300 breeds, and they all show under the same format (with the exception of seven breeds). Dogs will earn titles in the new format the same way they do with the Hunting Beagle format. The reason for this is that now the dogs participating in the new program will be eligible for the new Total Dog program.
QUESTION – Does UKC intend to focus more of its time on this new program than the Hunting Beagle program?
Answer – Absolutely not! This new program will be given the same devotion as the current system. We will do everything within our powers to make it work but will NOT let the Hunting Beagle program suffer. We have worked very hard to build the Hunting Beagle program to what it is today. We will devote just as much time to growing this new program to at least the same size.
QUESTION – Will current UKC Beagle clubs be able to hold these events? Will the clubs holding the new
format be able to hold Hunting Beagle events?
Answer – An approved UKC Beagle club is just that, an approved UKC Beagle club. Clubs will be able to hold one type event or the other, or they can hold some of both. Clubs should do what their members want to do. If there is interest in both, clubs should hold both.
QUESTION – When can my club get set up to hold these new events?
Answer – Right now! All you have to do is contact UKC and we can send you a new club packet. We can be contacted at:
United Kennel Club, Inc.
Beagle Field Operations
100 East Kilgore Road
Kalamazoo MI 49002
(269) 343-9020
tmorgan@ukcdogs.com
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