Beagle Questions and Answers
QUESTION: Rule 6 states that dogs will be scratched for running or molesting stock. What does UKC consider “molesting stock?”
Answer: The dictionary defines molesting as, “To disturb, interfere with, or annoy.” That is exactly how United Kennel Club interprets when to scratch a dog for molesting stock. Running stock should be very easy for everyone to determine. If your dog is chasing after stock, it is scratched. Simple. The molesting part of it is what really needs to get defined.
To be scratched for molesting stock, your dog will have to disturb, interfere or annoy the stock. I have recently heard of a few dogs that were scratched for simple running from stock and barking scared in the process. The reasoning behind this was that the dogs barked. Although good in theory, I do not agree with this. A dog that runs from stock in fear and barks in fear in the process should not be scratched. They did not disturb, interfere or annoy the stock.
When a dog encounters stock they are going to do one of four different things. The first, and most desirable, is to simply ignore the stock and go on their way hunting. This is what we all want. The other three are not quite as desirable. The first would be to pursue the stock. If they chase the stock, they are scratched whether they open or not. If they pursue it, they are definitely disturbing the stock, and I would have to say they are annoying it too. The next thing would be to stand its ground. Standing its ground is not grounds for scratching the dog. If the dog stands its ground and barks, that is another story. I would say that falls under the definition of molesting.
The last thing a dog could do is what I really want people to understand. That is if the dog flees. If the dog gets scared of the stock and runs away, how can you scratch it? It did not disturb, interfere or annoy the stock; it ran from it. What if they bark in fear when they are running away? Well, the rules state that you must strike your dog on or before the third bark. There are no exceptions to this rule. I say that you have to strike your dog if it opens three times, but you do not get scratched for fleeing from stock. You will almost certainly get minused your strike points, but you should not be scratched for fleeing and barking in fear.
Here is a good rule of thumb to follow when judging.
• If the dog goes forward and barks at the stock, scratch them.
• If they stand their ground and bark at the stock, scratch them.
• If they retreat and bark at the stock, strike them on or before the third bark and run the clock on them.
QUESTION: It seems to be the new thing at Beagle events for people to have tracking systems on their belts when they go to the field. The rulebook plainly states that transmitters must be left at the truck. How come all of these people are carrying their trackers to the field and not getting scratched for it?
Answer: This is pretty easy. What all those people have on their belts are “receivers” not transmitters. Tracking collars are actually the part of the system that transmits. The part you hold in your hand is what receives. If it were the other way around, your dog would be tracking you, and that wouldn’t work.
When the rules refer to a transmitter, they are referring to a training collar transmitter. You know, the end that has the button. Actually Rule 6j is very clear about what you can and cannot carry to the field. This rule states, “Dogs will be scratched for use of any device used to control or locate dog prior to cast completing hunting time. (Locating device may be used during time outs.) Training device transmitter must be left in vehicle.”
As most of us know, a tracking system is not a training device. It is a device designed to recover/find our dogs. A shock collar system is a training device. The part with the button must be left in the vehicle.
When people carry a tracking system receiver to the field, they need to know when they can use it and what the penalties are for using it incorrectly.
Rule 18 is typed in ALL CAPS to make it more noticeable to everyone who is reading the rules. It is in all caps to draw your attention to it in hopes that you will read it and understand it, as UKC does not want people getting in trouble for violating this rule. Rule 18 says” ANY PERSON CAUGHT USING ANY DEVICE USED TO CONTROL OR LOCATE DOG DURING HUNTING TIME, WILL BE BARRED FROM ONE YEAR TO LIFE FROM REGISTERING DOGS AND PARTICIPATING IN UKC EVENTS. DEVICE MAY BE USED IF DOG (S) WEARING THE DEVICE IS SCRATCHED AND ALL OTHER DOG(S) ARE RECOVERED FOR RECASTING. (For time out periods, see Rule 6(j).)
Just because your dog is scratched does not allow you to use your tracking system. The other dogs MUST be recovered (on leash) to use your system. You can, of course, use your system on all time outs and after the hunt with no repercussions. Simply taking out your receiver and finding out where the dogs are during time in will result in suspension.
|
Recent News At UKC
