Grinding the Line with "Doc" Cody - Part II
By Bob Kimber, BraceBeagling author
July 07, 2003

The last time we talked together, Doc, you had four good Grind-the-Line bitches about to whelp. How did those litters turn out? “Well, we had a total of 32 pups and all 28 bitches and 4 males made it just fine”. How many of those did you sell? “Well, most of them have new homes now. Apparently quite of few breeding programs needed a shot in the arm.”

What did you think of the Eukanuba trial, Doc? “Well, I thought everyone survived the rain and mud just fine. I was really impressed with all the workers at Hamilton-Middletown. The members there, and the Eukanuba people, really went out of their way to put on a good event for everyone. It seemed like everyone had a good time.”

What was the best performance you witnessed, Doc? “Well, that would be a Ford Explorer pulling a Chevy Duramax 4 x 4 pick-up out of the mud. And I’ll be darn if there wasn’t a camper hooked on behind that Chevy.”

What do you think of the Eukanuba tournament style format, Doc? “Well, for this particular event, I think it is just fine. I wouldn’t want to see it adopted for license trials; but this format, for this event, certainly makes it unique. There is no doubt that some hounds advance by default, but putting on several good runs in row is not that easy.”

What do you think are some of the most important aspects of beagling, Doc? “Well, certainly honesty and integrity go without saying for any sport. And of course, a sport must have adequate participation to survive. Beyond that, it should be fun, challenging, and rewarding. On an individual basis, I think the key ingredient for most real beaglers is the enjoyment of good houndwork.”

How can we see more good houndwork, Doc? “Well, obviously we have to breed higher quality dogs and we have to do a better job of training them. Plus, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that at a trial, the longer the judges run the better performing hounds, the more houndwork you will see. I question how good a hound really is if it doesn’t have to run more than 4 minutes or 40 feet, no matter how good it looks.”

How else can we improve, Doc? “Well, I think we need to exercise more common sense to ensure balance and impartiality in other areas as well.” Can you give us an example, Doc? “Sure, if judges consciously, or even subconsciously, only use hounds off the front or only use hounds off the back, rather than get the best hounds regardless of where they ran, then they lack balance and good judgment. It doesn’t make good sense to unduly penalize or eliminate hounds the first time they make a small mistake just because of the position they happen to draw in first series.”

Why do you think more hounds aren’t successful at field trials today, Doc? “Well, hounds that can’t go straight simply don’t have it. Some hounds can’t seem to get more than two or three tracks in a row without some unnecessary side movement. Some hounds can’t stay and find a long jump or make a turn. They don’t have it either. Don’t expect to get in second series if you can’t track straight ahead and complete the run.”

What do you think of the idea of judges switching hound positions during a run, Doc? “Well, it is an interesting concept. It would be great to evaluate all the hounds on the front and the back during first series. You would think the more complete hounds would end up in second series that way. But, I have a feeling there would be a lot complaints and potential problems if the judges started moving the hounds around.”

Are there any changes you would like to see, Doc? “Yes there are. I think the rule regarding running where you draw needs to be modified so the handlers can only switch during first series. It makes no sense to require the judges to bring hounds back in second series according to how they are scored and then have another rule that essentially lets other people change it.”

What else would you change, Doc? “Well, I believe it is only a matter of time until classes at a license trial will be permitted to be combined by sex if there aren’t enough entries to have a legal class and the other same sex class hasn’t run yet. That’s fine. That way a bitch in season isn’t disqualified, as she would be, if classes were combined by size. But that change doesn’t go far enough. It’s time for clubs to be given that option ahead of time, regardless of the number of entries.”

Do you think very many clubs would decide to advertise and run a combined class by sex at a license trial if they had that option, Doc? “Absolutely! Numerous clubs all over the country would start running combined males and two bitch classes as soon as possible. It would be much easier for clubs to run a 3-day trial. Think about it. Only one class of males, only one gallery, only two judges, no trouble finishing with more entries than expected, higher quality field champions, and more championship points for the hounds that place.”

Keep the line between your legs and keep grinding!