Performance Standards

The following performance standards were written for the sole purpose of evaluating hunting hounds. In proper balance, the positive characteristics outlined below make the Beagle hound an efficient producer of game. At the same time, negative characteristics, or faults (also outlined below), prevent a dog from excelling at his job. Depending on the severity of the faults, a hound may routinely fail at completing the task at hand and hinder pack mates from doing the same.

All hounds in U.K.C. Large Pack and Small Pack competition will be evaluated on the following characteristics:

POSITIVE CHARACTERISTICS

Hunt/Search -- Without the ability to search out and start game, the ability to pursue it would never come into play. Credit should be given to hounds that consistently search for game in an eager, efficient and intelligent manner.

Line Control -- While pursuing game, a hound must keep in close contact with the line of scent. Recklessness, competitiveness and eagerness to overtake game must never excuse a hound for continually losing the line of scent.

Nose -- A hunting hound must have a good nose to be able to operate under adverse conditions throughout the season. While the ability to work a tough track through bad conditions is a benefit, the hound that cold trails excessively does not contribute to the hunt. A good nose should not be confused with simply tonguing when other hounds do not.

Endurance -- Is a positive hound trait that is affected by desire, climate, conformation and conditioning. Hounds must have the desire and ability (through conformation and conditioning) to hunt without showing undue signs or weariness or fatigue. A flawless performance of short duration should never take precedent over a hound that is staying with his game after several hours.

Check Ability -- In check working ability, a hound must show patience, intelligence, and the desire to account for his game. Upon losing contact with the line of scent, hounds are expected to immediately return to the point of loss and diligently work to reclaim the line.

Speed -- In the proper balance, speed is an asset for keeping pressure on the game. A hound should only run as fast as conditions allow, however, should never lack the foot speed to run up to the level that provides the hunter with an exciting and efficient chase. Optimum speed is determined by both conditions and a hound’s ability.

Correctness Of Mouth -- Hounds must be honest with their mouth. They should tongue freely while advancing the line and not open at all when lacking enough scent to make forward progress. Jumps and recoveries should be claimed quickly but honestly.

Desire -- This necessary quality is the force that drives a hound. It helps him to succeed when things get tough. It puts him out front of the competition. It is a combination of strength, heart and the determination to pursue game.

Adaptability -- A true mark of a hound’s intelligence is his ability to smoothly and quickly adapt to different situations. Sudden changes in conditions, pack mates, terrain, cover, game, etc. require a hound that can adjust quickly and confidently.

NEGATIVE CHARACTERISTICS

Quitting -- Exhibited by hounds with a lack of: desire, confidence, conditioning or sound conformation. This fault ranges in degree from briefly standing around while other hounds do the work to falling out of a chase and refusing or being unable to run.

Babbling / Tight Mouthed -- Too much or too little mouth on track. The amount of mouth should correspond to the condition of the track and degree to which progress is being made. Extreme cases on each end of the spectrum would include ghost trailing and running silent.

Rough Running -- Rough running is a term that collectively describes numerous faults in a hound’s running style. The presence of these faults creates unnecessary checks and losses. In less severe cases it leads to a very inefficient, stop and go chase. When severe, it results in total failure to circle game. In the broadest sense, rough running includes such problems as skirting (leaving the line to gain the lead or avoiding heavy cover), swinging (wide, careless working of checks) and racing (too competitive or too fast for conditions).

Running Off Game -- The severity of this fault is usually dependent on the type of off game being pursued and the fever with which it is run. A couple of off barks on non-target small game should not be judged as harshly as a lengthy run on fast game.

Backtracking -- Continuing to work a line of scent in a direction opposite the way that the game traveled. Brief confusion should be noted but should not eliminate a hound from contention. Pottering - A failure to make reasonable forward progress. Typically, hounds continue to tongue but fail to make any accomplishment with the track. A result of a lack of ability or ambition.