BEAGLE CLUB OFFERS FUN FOR BOTH DOGS AND HANDLERS

CRUMP -- When the Southeast Missouri Beagle Club holds one of its several field trials throughout the year, it's difficult to tell who has the most fun: the pack of bawling, sniffing, tail-wagging beagle hounds or their owners and handlers romping in the field not far behind the pack.

Tom Schulte of Jackson says that's what beagling is all about.

Schulte is the outgoing president of the beagle club. When he's not out in the field with his beagles, Schulte is manager of the Cape Girardeau office of Sens. Jack Danforth and Christopher Bond.

Schulte defines a beagler as "someone who truly loves beagles and enjoys being outdoors with his or her dogs in all types of weather, either for hunting, field trials, bench shows, or a combination of the three."

Shulte says there are different types of beaglers. One is the weekend hunter, who enjoys running his beagles while hunting rabbits and running his hounds in field trials. The other does not hunt but likes to be in the field with his beagles or show them at a field trial and bench show.

Beagles come in two heights: the 15-inch and 13-inch dogs. The height of the dog is measured from the ground to the nape of its neck or shoulder.

Although the beagle has always been associated with England -- where breeders did more to further the beagle than any other nation -- the origin of the breed may go back as far as ancient Greece or early France. It is directly descended from the otterhound, probably through the bloodhound. The beagle is considered the progenitor of all modern-day hunting strains of hounds.

In physical appearance, the beagle generally looks like a miniature foxhound: solid and large for its height, with the determined look of a hound -- a dog of endurance and perseverance.

The beagle has been described as "just about the kindest, most practical breed of dog ever domesticated by man. It has the sad expression of an Emmett Kelly clown, the soulful eyes of a deer, the natural politeness of a raccoon, the patience and industriousness of a beaver, and an excitable eagerness to carry out the functions for which he has been bred over the centuries. All of these combine to make the beagle one of America's most popular breeds of dog."

Beaglers say the perpetually sad expression of the beagle is just a trick of nature -- a mask that veils a disposition that is contented, often merry, and always kind, gentle and loyal. Just as he is a determined hunter, the beagle is also a kind and gentle companion for young and old.

Schulte has been around beagles since he was a child, as have most of the members of the SEMO Beagle Club.

"One reason for the popularity of the beagle is that it is not only an excellent hunting dog but also a great family companion as well," said Schulte. "They're great for hunters, for kids, for families. They are a sporting dog first, but they are also an excellent family dog because they are very sociable little animals."

Because the beagle is both a field dog and house companion, SEMO Beagle club members range in age from young children to older adults. "We have members of an entire family who are members. Other members include railroaders, businessmen, laborers, and professionals. One of our associate members in Louisville, Ky., owns several corporations," said Schulte.

The club holds five regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year at Riverside Regional Library in Jackson. In addition, numerous work days are held on weekends throughout the year when club members go to the club's 100-acre running grounds west of Lake Girardeau to work on improving the rabbit habitat or to repair fences that keep the rabbits in and predators out. The grounds are split in half by another fence; males are run on one side and females on the other.

The club is associated with the United Beagle Gundog Federation (UBGF) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Each year it is allowed to sponsor one AKC-licensed field trial for AKC-registered beagles. Throughout the rest of the year the club holds "fun" trials, at which no points or awards are given. Non-club members are welcome to take their hounds out for a weekend of running. The club also holds "derbies" for yearling beagles.

Schulte said the next fun trial will be held at the club's running grounds on Jan. 2. Non-club members with AKC-registered beagles are invited to take their dogs to the field trial. A derby field trial for yearling beagles will be held next April.

During the club's annual two-day, certified, hunting-Beagle field trial Dec. 11-12, more than 160 beagles and their owners and handlers from several Midwestern states participated.

Schulte said the field trial begins early on Saturday morning, when the hounds are measured and placed in packs. The large and small males and females each run in their own size and gender.

Each of the four classes has two judges plus a field marshal, whose job is to keep the "gallery" (dog owners, handlers and others) back far enough so as not to distract the work of the pack.

"Each pack field trial begins when the judges tell the handlers to `Cast your dogs,'" said Schulte. "Once released, they begin looking for the scent of a rabbit. If someone happens to see a rabbit, all beagles are trained to recognize the call, `Tally Ho,' and head for the person who will get them on the scent."

Schulte said the beagles are judged by how well they "follow the line" or scent of the rabbit, and how well they "make the check," which is a 90-degree turn made by the rabbit to throw the dogs off the trail.

"Speed and accuracy on the line and check is what the judges watch for. You want a beagle to work the line and the check just as close as possible. The field judges stay with the pack and observe each dog to see how well it follows the line and checks, and to see how aggressive it searches for the rabbit. When a beagle is looking for the scent, he shouldn't be barking a lot. The only time a beagle is talking is when he's got the scent and is hot on the trail."

Schulte said serving as a field judge requires that a person be in excellent physical condition because he will literally be running with the pack. "You can't be a couch potato and expect to be a field judge. I know judges who run each day to prepare for a weekend field trial to get in shape," he said.

The field trial is concluded when the judges tell the handlers to "handle your dogs." Those that have not already been eliminated will compete in the next round.

In addition to the field trial, the dogs also compete in a bench dog show during the weekend. Points received in the field trial and dog show determine the overall field trial winner. Beagles that go on to win several field trials become field champions.

"Beagling is a lot of fun for young and old," said Schulte. "We always welcome new members to our club and invite anyone interested in becoming a beagler to come to one of our meetings or our field trials."

For more information on the SEMO Beagle Club, call Schulte at 243-8046.