National ,needs tweeked, Masters ,not exactly, Test of the Best not good enough, various puppy hunt rules,still some not happy.With so many different hunt rules claiming honours can everyone truly get the big blue ribbon? How did the running hound world get so split up in opinion of a race and view of a top hound?Or has it always been the foxhunter`s nature or identity to search for perfection with division being the never-ending result?

I believe that people are so desperate to win that they are willing to change the trial to suit their dogs instead of breeding better dogs.

hard to argue with that last post.

Yep that is correct!!

Boy why do we hate change so Bad. We run in pens mostly now and Noone shows up in an A model but we want the rules that are that old. Some people can't 3 day they one day or pup hunt. Try to find things we are unified on not what separates us. Lol at the bright side we still get to hear a good race or see a dog work a piece of game. I am proud to be a dog running outdoor loving foxhunting American.

pen rules were updated. that problem is basically solved in both national and master rules.One day hunts are one day hunts. They are not a bad thing.But they are one day hunts.An earlier post stated it basically the way the last post states. People change rules to help themselves not necessary the quality of the dog.

th change tht looks made for th hunter not for better quality hounds is lower hours in a one day..I think clown won some 10 hour hunts and was dual ch at all American. now that is asking a hound to preform and be a top dog. And clown wasnt the only hound in these 8 and 10 hour one days with plenty speed.

The 8 hour and 7 hour two day hunts rule change is keeping hunters trying for breeding better hounds for the speed and the gameness in a top fox dog.

15 hours in 2 days is a good look at a hound.Masters did right promoting these hunts. But the poor judges have a long day of work this way.

If a hunt is NOT a Master's or National's affiliated hunt, I guess the folks putting on the hunt, can make whatever rules they want to make.

There was a time when folks wanted hunts to be "affiliated", with one or the other organizations, thereby having some type of "measuring stick", by which to compare hounds performance's and results!

Now it appears that it is more important for one's name to be called, rather than the performance of the hound! Trophies being given for top 20, top 25, and top 30; and some of the hunts only have 50-60 entries!

There are folks that like one-day hunts, which use to be 5 hours, but now are 4 hours and 3 hours; which is fine, if that is what one enjoys. But to give out 20-30 trophies has gotten to be a bit of "overkill"!

Don't know about y'all but if my hound is 25th-30th; not too sure I would want anyone to know that the hound performed that poorly!

But to each his own, the main thing is to enjoy the competition, the fellowship, and the fun, whatever type hunt you choose to attend!

Allan Bishop
(Jabber Jaw)

When the hunters began the less hour hunts to suit their dogs capabilities, the rest of the affiliated hunts that followed time tested beliefs on speed and gameness should have made clear why 5 hours a day or 15 in two or three was important. The younger hunters know not that a race like a ball game has more than one half or quarter.There is a start to finnish characteristic bred for in a foxhound.And if this opinion is wrong then change the Master rules to suit the hunters and not the hound.But promoting 3 and 4 hour money hunts on masterfox seems to have been legitimized .

Are there pros and cons with the Master 2 day hunts with 15 hours running? Seems like could be more pros than cons and at a glance a good idea. Its hard on the judges for sure. Could National rules ever consider this change for pen hunts and broke dog hunts?

It could be considered that national rules recognize a two day champion if 15 hours are run outside or in pen. More stress on judges but less stress on an outside hunting ground and one less day of expenses.

a good rule master did is the 2 day hunt with 15 hours.. now if the national would get on board, the tough, speedy coyote - fox hound can keep it's character as the king of all hounds with toughness to stay when game gets low in a hunt and speed to separate the men from the boy's breeding standards.

For years there has been a SOUTHEASTERN TWO NIGHT 9 HOUR..... Nationals/Masters affiliated trial. Cast was midnight until 9:00 am. It takes a truly tough and special hound to endure and win it. Also, it is hard on a judge, young or old to stay in the field for 9 hours, then spend another 2-3 hours tallying up the scores. But the hunt produced a true, tough, hard running endurance hound as a deserving Champion!

However the support for the hunt has waned , and therefore, it has not been held in the last two years! With younger folks either not wanting to take off work, or unable to take off work; it has become difficult for this hunt to survive!

There was a time when this hunt would have around 400 entries!

Allan Bishop
(Jabber Jaw)

The Southeastern 2 night hunt was a gritty hunt.A hound was asked to prove something with a win.It probably wasn't National affiliated due to not being 3 days and never had a champion.This rule could be altered to help keep a "game" as well as "fast" hound being bred for, or soon 3 & 4 hour hunts may do away with any endurance characteristics.

It wasn't affiliated. They had their own set of rules. I do remember you had to be in the top 20 s&d in order to HGA....and I think it was ran from 9 pm to 6 am the time we went. It was definitely a tough dog hunt. They actually started the awards by calling out the dogs that finished...then went on to the awards.