Evaluation and Judging
Rules and Procedures for Basset Hound Field Trials
The full Field Trial Rules and Procedures for the Basset Hound are a comprehensive outline of the procedures for running a field trial from start to finish.
As a field dog, the basset hound is evaluated based on a system of credits and demerits judged in proportion to the extent that they help or hinder forward and efficient progress on the track of wild game (rabbits or hare). Judges assess the desirable qualities and faulty actions each hound displays in a brace and use this information to award credits and demerits.
An often heard retort in the field trial community is "you're judging this hound on this day." Any hound can win on any given day by displaying what two judges determine to be the best balance of admirable qualities and faulty actions.
Procedures for Judges
Procedure 3, 4, and 6 contain much of the judging criteria. This begins on page 17.
"All Judges prior to assuming their duties shall familiarize themselves with these rules and procedures and make their findings in accordance therewith."
- Procedure 4: Judging
- Key passage: "Hounds shall be credited principally for their positive accomplishments."
- This section contains descriptions for desirable qualities, faulty actions, credits and demerits.
- Procedure 6: Instructions to Judges
- "Whenever practicable the hounds shall be cast to search for game ... the decision ... shall be made by the judges alone."
- The rules say this. In practice...
- "Whenever practicable the hounds shall be cast to search for game ... the decision ... shall be made by the judges alone."
Judging the Basset Hound
Desirable Qualities
There are 12 desirable qualities identified in the field trial rules:
Searching ability, pursuing ability, accuracy in trailing, proper use of voice, endurance, adaptability, patience, determination, independence, cooperation, competitive spirit, intelligence.
Definitions for these qualities can be found on pages 19-21 of the Field Trial Rules and Procedures for the Basset Hound.
Faulty Actions
There are 14 faulty actions identified in the field trial rules:
Quitting, backtracking, ghost trailing, pottering, babbling, swinging, skirting, leaving checks, running mute, tightness of mouth, racing, running hit or miss, lack of independence, and bounding off.
Definitions for these qualities can be found on pages 21-22 of the Field Trial Rules and Procedures for the Basset Hound.
Evaluation (Credits and Demerits)
"Judges should approach their work with the attitude that the future welfare of the breed is in their hands and should make their findings and selections on a basis calculated toward keeping the Basset Hound useful for both field trials and hunting purposes." From Section 4-A(6)
"Hounds shall be credited principally for their positive accomplishments." From Section 4-D(1)
"Judges should keep the purpose of the breed constantly in mind" From Section 4-D(2)
"Faults, mistakes, lack of accomplishment, and apparent lack of intelligence shall be considered demerits and shall be penalized to whatever extent they interfere with or fail to contribute to a performance." From Section 4-E(1)
"Faults are undesirable traits indicating lack of sound quality and shall be penalized in proportion to the degree of commitment, frequency of repetition, and the distractions they afford to running mates." From Section 4-E(2)