Proper Stance and Procedures for Measuring Dogs

Full Circle

August 10, 2018

Source: Roy Swafford

Proper Stance and Procedures for Measuring Dogs

Question: We had a dog measure out at our last event, and I would like some clarification on the procedures to follow. How many times does the dog get measured, and who does the final measurement on the dog? Also, could you clarify proper stance procedures?

Answer: The Hunt Director or Master of Hounds should select two individuals who are capable, confident, and knowledgeable on proper natural stance of a hound. Key word there is natural. This isnt a bench show where the dog is often made to be flexed up on its toes. Instead, you want the dog in the most relaxed, natural stance possible.

If a dog walks up to the measuring stand and is not slouching or trying to lay down, it is not necessary to grab the dogs under-belly and push upwards. Im fully aware that youll get some dogs that want to lay down when they get around the measuring stand. When this happens, it becomes necessary to get them to stand. Simply do your best to get the dog up with the legs straight under the dog. Key word here is straight. Not with legs out to the point where the dogs feet are spread away from his body or moved forward towards his nose. The legs need to be straight under the dog. Keep in mind this process should be done by the measuring officials and not the owner. Hence. why I recommend two people appointed by the Hunt Official.

The Hunt Director or Master Hounds is responsible for making sure the requirements are being executed, and all dogs are being measured properly and accurately. Having the owner or handler assist in standing the dog is is fine, if needed. However, deciding correct stance is the decision of the officials and not the owner or handler. Some dogs will be calmer and stand better when the owner or handler is beside them, but the owner should not be dropping the bar on their dog or assisting when not asked to do so. Officials may have the owner hold the dogs head to maintain the desired stance, but they should keep the owners involvement to a minimum.

Once you have nice, natural stance, the bar is dropped over his withers and locked down. A dog that measures over the 15-inch height requirement, at this point, should be awarded two more opportunities, if so desired. The owner has the right to go walk the dog before the next measurement. If, after the second measurement, the dog still measures over, a third and final measurement may be requested, with the Master of Hounds or Hunt Director present. The Hunt official can change the way the dog is standing if they feel the stance is incorrect, but that measurement is final. If, after this measurement, the dog measures over the dog may not be entered in the event for that day.

What those participants who run a dog that pushes the height limit need to remember is; there will be days the dog measures out! Measuring dogs has been discussed and debated since the beginning of trials in all registries. There is no exact science, and if you have one that is close, you must accept there may be days you get measured out. Lets face it, we all know if we have a dog that is close to the limit. We need to police ourselves and accept the fact this could happen when you run a full 15-inch hound.

I have Permanently Measured several dogs over the years who were very close and where the owners did not want to deal with not knowing if they were going to measure in or out on the day of the event. Some went well, others didnt, but the owners got peace of mind with not dealing with it at every event.

Multiple Owner Entries; Not Possible to Separate All

Question: At our hunts, it is getting to be extremely difficult to draw casts where multiple owners do not conflict. It is well known that some of these dogs that have multiple owners listed do not have any interest in the dog. I feel people are using this rule for the sole purpose to keep the dogs from drawing one another at an event. Why is this permissible?

Answer: The multiple-owner situation is becoming a problem and will be addressed. It is no secret this rule is being used to keep dogs from running against one another, and that is not its intent. It was intended to keep dogs owned by the same person, or actual kennel partners, from having to compete against their own dogs.

UKC has a Sole Signatory policy, which means the first owner is the true owner and the one who has control of the dog and does not need any successors signatures when it comes to any transfer of ownership. If the dog is sold, or offspring is being registered, that first name is the only required signature. Once again, its an honor system. If you are adding a name for the sole purpose to keep from hunting against one another, you are very likely going to be perceived as guilty of violating the actual intent of the multiple owner policy.

When faced with having to split up the dogs, do not allow the owner to place a certain dog in a cast. The only dogs ever placed on a card are those entries selected to judge and guide a cast for the hunt. Handlers who are capable of judging can also be placed as the first entry on a card, but then the guide entry should be drawn randomly.

So, lets say you have three casts, and one name is on four different dogs. In other words, it is not possible to split up all four dogs. One of those casts is going to have the same owner name on two of the dogs. The owner cannot have any say on which dogs will be together. When the slips are turned over on the cards, the only dog that can be moved is if the owner has three dogs in the same cast. Move the bottom entry from the next available cast that will not put the owner with three dogs in one cast.

State Championship Overall Event Title Criteria

Question: Does UKC have any rule in place for how clubs hosting State Championship hunts award the overall title?

Answer: At the current time, we have no set policy on how host clubs award their overall state championship titles, or for that matter, any special event. I will offer what I feel is the best way and would encourage clubs to consider when hosting such events.

All state hunts are currently two-day events, and the first deciding factor should be highest scoring two-day category winner. If no dog is a two-day category winner, then next should be the highest scoring dog with a one-day category win and that has a cast win. The third option is one where some debate can start, and that is the highest scoring category winner from the two-day event.

The debate will likely be, what about the dog who, lets say for example, placed second in a division on both days? The overall state champion, in my opinion, should have won a category during the event. There is no wrong way here, but the way I just listed is used the most, and from what I have seen, works the best.

Some say the Grands compete against less dogs, so they have the advantage. This could be true, but the Grand division can also be the hardest to win depending on the entry draw. Clubs are free to award it however they choose, but I highly recommend it be included in the advertisement for the event and posted. The hunt official should also make it part of his opening statements. Having it posted lets all participants know what the deciding factors are in the overall win.

Clubs are free to be creative and come up with ideas that will attract the most entries. Maybe awarding a runner-up state champion, placing all 10 positions in the Registered category. Placing dogs that dont receive championship points, but win a prize from the club for the placement is perfectly fine. I personally like a run-off format, but clubs need to have this as part of the planning for the event to insure there will be time to run such a cast. I always wanted to be beat running a rabbit, and that happened a lot I might add, but any overall win is always sweeter when the outcome was decided by your dogs performance on that day. People involved with these dogs who believe the best dog should win no matter who owns him will make any event a success!

Performance Pack Judges Rules and Good Ethics

Question: What specific dogs or casts should Performance Pack judges watch for and ask to be re-drawn if rolled out to judge?

Answer: Rule 3 (c) of the Performance Pack Rulebook states: {A Performance Pack judge and or apprentice judge will not judge their own hound, any hound that their name appears as a registrant, or a hound that they hunt competitively. A judge may not judge any hound owned by their immediate family or any member of their household.} Immediate family is defined as mother, father, husband, wife, son, or daughter.

Beyond that, lets touch on some other reasons not specifically covered by rules where judges should also ask to be re-drawn to a different cast. These also go a long way when it comes to common sense, respect, and most importantly, eliminates negative perceptions. One example is where a judge is drawn to a cast that has a dog in it that is owned by an extended family member, such as in-laws, who are not technically covered in the rules. Judges drawn to such a cast should ask to be re-drawn, if possible.

Example two: If youre drawn to a cast with a dog owned by a person you own a dog(s) with, even though your name is not on the one in this specific cast. Again, if there are other judges available; ask to be re-assigned.
A good one that is covered in the rules are those dogs that judges handle or hunt for others. Now some will say, I didnt handle the dog. I just hauled the dog to the hunt. If thats your reason, stop thinking you are fooling anyone, because you are notperiod! If you have no problem telling people how the dog has been looking when running the dog, then you are actively preparing this dog for competition and should not judge the dog.

Occasionally, I get the debate that we are promoting judges that are not to be trusted. Trust has nothing to do with it. Staying away from any perception that a winner has already been decided does! All trials must be about getting the best performing dog on that day. There are hunts where there is no other option and the official must use what is available. As the judge of a cast where there could be any kind of a hanging gray cloud involved, I highly recommend that this is discussed before the cast is released.

Judges have the option of calling out collar colors of those dogs they are scoring. My experience with Performance Pack casts are limited, but at a recent event I witnessed it done both ways. Handlers like to hear collars called out, and I feel judges should do this on all casts. It is very easy to sit back and be critical of a judge when standing with the gallery. I think participants do understand that judges can only score what they see. They may hear what they believe to be their dog picking up a check, and that very well could be true. However, judges may easily be out of position and just didnt see it. Judges cannot score off what they hear regardless of what they believe to be the case. When judges are calling out collar colors, it is easy to know if that check was seen.

Judges work hard and deserve appreciation for their effort. All anyone can ask for is good honest effort of a judge who is scoring what they see only. The Beagle Programs are implemented on an honor-based system, no matter what your role is in the event. A getting-it-right attitude, and displaying respect for others makes the events very enjoyable.