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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