The New York Times has an article on a "Fun Field Trial" held in Pennsylvania "for dogs that have never hunted but whose breeds were created to do so".Not a very limiting description, I know.
In this case the dogs are basset hounds, beagles, dachshunds and petit basset griffon vendéens.
So what does this hunting trial look like? Well, right from the start the article makes clear that it is PeTA-approved:
No rabbits are killed, and the only gun is a starting pistol, fired into the air to measure a dog’s “gun shyness.” In fact, the dogs never catch rabbits — and normally don’t even see them — but are judged on their ability to follow the scent as long and directly as possible
And did they do that?
Well, read the article and ask yourself if the trouble is up the leash or down. Or does it really matter?
If you don't own a gun, are you ever going to be a real rabbit hunter?
And if you are not, how can you every hope to raise a dog that is?
And if you were a real rabbit hunter would you ever go to an AKC breeder to get your dog?
No, you won't, and no.
These are pretenders playing pantomime. The doggie equivalent of a Rennaisance Fair. Nothing wrong with it, but let's not confuse it with hunting!
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3 comments:
I wonder how many of these couch potatoes have ever even heard a gun before, and how afraid they are of it. There's a reason hunting retreivers go through gun desensitization/training from a young age.
I read that article with a smile and thought of small children playing pretend in a sandbox. Fun for all, but depresingly laughable when it comes to the real deal.
On a slightly darker note, I wonder when they'll have Fun Trials For Dogs Described By Their Owners As "Protective" But Are Really "Possessive And/Or Fearful." Put on the bite suit and let the behavior problems begin! All "protective" breeds welcome...let's see those Chihuahuas and Pomeranians get a chance to perform right alongside those GSDs and Rottweilers!
Too true, Viatecio! I endured a Dalmation rescue person today telling me how fab her dog is...except for the neighbor it bit recently. But FAB, I tell you, in EVERY way! LOL.
Seahorse
Hey it was still fun for the dogs. We had a farm when I got my first Jack - a REAL farm, not a couple of acres and three chickens - and Buster whet his skills on mice, rats, and then wiped out most of the groundhogs within 20 acres of the house. BUT we now live in a different situation and our Jack Dodger loves to attend fake "barn" hunts - and his absolute favourite: lure coursing. He is happy and exhausted afterwards, and no harm done. Let the dogs have an inkling of what their DNA keeps telling them to do and let them enjoy themselves. Not everyone can live in the woods. :)
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