THE BEAGLE
A Breed Profile

SMALL PACKAGE…BUT A LOTTA DOG

The Beagle, one of the most popular field dogs in the USA (and, in fact, number four in AKC registrations in 2004) is a small, thoroughly appealing, member of the Hound Group. His shorthaired coat is a valuable attribute to his status. It requires little extra care or grooming, other than a three-or-four-times-weekly brushing and comes in a combination of tan, black and white. His long flap-ears lie against his head. And like most other hounds, the beagle’s eyes are softly dark and beseeching.

The beagle’s small stature is divided into two size groupings, one, 13 to 15 inches at shoulder, the other, under 13 inches at shoulder. The average beagle tips the scales at between 18 and 28 pounds.

Displaying a continually wagging tail, the breed is normally sociable and easily trained, seldom belligerent. Yet, his deep baying bark makes his owner aware of trespassers and provides a formidable warning deterrent. Intelligent, affable and docile, a beagle always makes a fine buddy to all family members.

Used for many years as one of the best rabbit hunting field dogs known to Man, the breed still enjoys a top reputation in that sport, and, if given a chance, will demonstrate his native abilities to his owner.

http://www.sacriverbeagles.com: A site for avid Beagle lovers, Hunters and field trailers, dedicated to raising a quality line of gun dog and field trial beagles.

The Best Trained Gun Dog

Impeccable credentials seem to be in rare supply today. When they are truly found, however, it restores one's faith. So, it is with Joan Bailey, author of a new book that's a real gem for hunting dog owners, entitled "The Best Trained Gun Dog." Here is a very fine, invaluable step-by-step manual, which, if faithfully followed to the letter, should guide any bird hunter to the promised land: ownership of a gun dog that performs as a really well trained field dog should, obediently and with confidence and success.

The new book is a logically natural segue from the author's earlier tome:"How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves." It provides straight forward explanations and extremely helpful illustrations leading to the principal goals of a good, serviceable hunting dog, one that brings home the bacon every time. Every owner of a new gun dog pup would do well to combine both manuals to start that pup along the right road into the field. Naturally, though, the new book alone can shape an adult pointing, flushing or fetch breed to "best trained" status within several months.

Published by Swan Valley Press, the 118 page book, priced at $23.95, can be ordered from the website: www.howtotraingundogs.com

THE VIZSLA

A Breed Profile

A magnificent immigrant added to the American melting pot of canine citizens in recent years, the Vizsla, official pointing dog of Hungary, has made serious inroads into the U.S hunting scene since arriving here in 1950. His cinnamon-colored, shorthaired coat adorns a sleek body imbued with terrific talents, including a keen nose combined with the intelligence to learn from experience how to use it, strong hunting desire and natural retrieving instincts. Of the dogs that hunt, it's little wonder his rapid climb in popularity.

Afield, the Vizsla takes the role of a traditional pointing breed, assigned to seeking and locating upland game birds by scent, staunchly pointing them out in statute-like stance. At the flush, only when commanded, he brings the quarry gently back to hand. With some 10 centuries of practice underpinning his performance, the Vizsla lays claim to being the oldest of the world’s sporting breeds.

Originating among the Magyars, who invaded and colonized the Hungarian plains, the breed later was adopted by the aristocracy and flourished selectively until the Soviet invasion of Hungary, which nearly made the breed extinct . The few survivors made up the current stock.

A scale-tipping 55 pound average, standing about 22-24 inches at withers, the Vizsla’s tail is generally docked (cut) to 5-6-length.Learning lessons fairly quickly, the breed can be somewhat thin-skinned and should be handled with gentle firmness for best results. Affectionately natured, he displays strong family loyalty.

The English Pointer

Perhaps as no other gundog breed, the English pointer personifies the very name “birddog!” The fiery fervor of his quest for winged quarry easily matches the intensity of his staunch, high-tailed pointing stance, alerting the hunter to impending action.

In full field-working trim, the pointer embodies an ideal combination of strength, agility and endurance, all geared toward a no-nonsense approach to bird-finding. Add to that his scenting prowess, equaled perhaps only by a few of the hound breeds, plus an innate hunting sense that readily grows with experience and you have what many describe as a “bird-finding machine.”

Fortunately, the qualities that serve him and his owner so well afield also carry over to the home, making the pointer an affable member of the family. And although a large, high energy, dog, weighing an average 60-70 pounds, given sufficient regular exercise, he can generally maintain a relaxed demeanor indoors.

Affectionate and good-natured, the English pointer ordinarily gets along well with other dogs and pets as well as with children. Since his shorthaired coat is easily groomed once or twice weekly, his care is minimized for his owner, requiring only nail-trimming about every third week and routine ear inspection when groomed.

No upland bird hunter could go wrong in choosing an English pointer.

“Ancestry Authentication”
Value Added No Minus For Multiplication

Your canine hunting partner is totally valueless! It’s true. That is if you ever plan parenthood for Fido, and he (or she) is not registered in one of the official stud books appropriate for his breed.

Without registration, any offspring from a mating (even with a champion) leaves the pups in purebred limbo. Why? Registration provides a permanent record of and for your dog. It establishes his official name and identifying number, and authenticates his purebred pedigree. It increases his value by ensuring recording of placements he wins in field trials. All this makes selling his puppies easier and more profitable.

Normally, spaniels and retrievers are registered with the American Kennel Club 5580 Centerview Dr., Raleigh, NC 27606. Field type pointing dogs go into the American Field Publishing Company’s Field Dog Stud Book, 542 South Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60605.

Registration forms should be provided by the breeder of your pup.