Rudi van Kets who as some of you know is the President ofthe Flemish Tracking Society with some 15 years experience has asked me totranslate the following article he wrote in Dutch.
“For a number of months there has been a discussion of theSD about HS and BMH with or without proper papers.
My personal view is as follows:
Dogs have served for hundreds of years and each breed has nowits own characteristics and is bred for one purpose.
During this time breed standards have developed that oneshould respect.
Societies have been created to protect this standard, a kindof heritage. These Societies were the beginning of the breed and developed the characteristicfor that breed. A pointer for pointing, a retriever for retrieving an HS fortracking. As simple as that.
Criteria were developed which must be adhered to. Many stillexist so we must keep these. Regrettably many do not follow these criteria.
To get to the point on scenthounds. The sudden entry ofthese hounds has created a quite a stir, the mean reason being that people didnot know about the breed and how it is used. We on the continent hunt in adifferent way and some handle some dog breeds differently.
Hence the confusion. Scenthounds especially the BMH and HSare as I mentioned earlier a heritage that not only should be protected butthey should also be used in the way that was intended by our predecessors.
But there are people who want to have these hounds withoutrespecting these values. It is in order to protect against these kinds ofpeople that the breed societies are so protective.
It are mainly people whose prime consideration is cash, hardcash. They are not concerned with the standards or values. Not the dogs faultbut those of the greedy breeders. There are plenty of examples.
I did not mince my words. Education can contribute a lot andrespect for those that assist in maintaining the standards as well as not beingswayed by people who drive on the other side of the road. That is theirproblem.
I am of the opinion that people who do their bit to maintainthe standards deserve respect. But I notice it is different. Many seem to thinkthey can do without knowledge or study. (I have my opinions do not confuse mewith the facts).
The market reacts to this lack of knowledge and offersHounds that are not the required standard.
I myself had to wait 3 years for my first hound and it paidoff. I used that time to go to courses and was prepared when the hound came.
I have therefore decided not to enter into discussions withthose that are on fishing trips. That is not the way to transfer knowledge.
The same for organisations like the Federation Canina, acopy that intends to be so real as to confuse people and make them fall into thetrap.
Experience has taught me that the aim for perfection andhonesty towards the breed can create great friendships. It is these friendshipscombined with working together that made tracking such a joy.”
“For a number of months there has been a discussion of theSD about HS and BMH with or without proper papers.
My personal view is as follows:
Dogs have served for hundreds of years and each breed has nowits own characteristics and is bred for one purpose.
During this time breed standards have developed that oneshould respect.
Societies have been created to protect this standard, a kindof heritage. These Societies were the beginning of the breed and developed the characteristicfor that breed. A pointer for pointing, a retriever for retrieving an HS fortracking. As simple as that.
Criteria were developed which must be adhered to. Many stillexist so we must keep these. Regrettably many do not follow these criteria.
To get to the point on scenthounds. The sudden entry ofthese hounds has created a quite a stir, the mean reason being that people didnot know about the breed and how it is used. We on the continent hunt in adifferent way and some handle some dog breeds differently.
Hence the confusion. Scenthounds especially the BMH and HSare as I mentioned earlier a heritage that not only should be protected butthey should also be used in the way that was intended by our predecessors.
But there are people who want to have these hounds withoutrespecting these values. It is in order to protect against these kinds ofpeople that the breed societies are so protective.
It are mainly people whose prime consideration is cash, hardcash. They are not concerned with the standards or values. Not the dogs faultbut those of the greedy breeders. There are plenty of examples.
I did not mince my words. Education can contribute a lot andrespect for those that assist in maintaining the standards as well as not beingswayed by people who drive on the other side of the road. That is theirproblem.
I am of the opinion that people who do their bit to maintainthe standards deserve respect. But I notice it is different. Many seem to thinkthey can do without knowledge or study. (I have my opinions do not confuse mewith the facts).
The market reacts to this lack of knowledge and offersHounds that are not the required standard.
I myself had to wait 3 years for my first hound and it paidoff. I used that time to go to courses and was prepared when the hound came.
I have therefore decided not to enter into discussions withthose that are on fishing trips. That is not the way to transfer knowledge.
The same for organisations like the Federation Canina, acopy that intends to be so real as to confuse people and make them fall into thetrap.
Experience has taught me that the aim for perfection andhonesty towards the breed can create great friendships. It is these friendshipscombined with working together that made tracking such a joy.”