A first for Beanie AND Biggles

Posted on May 17, 2009 by Susan

Despite a poor forecast it was another lovely sunny day for Beagle racing. Since the Scottish Beagle Club website has been advertising the racing we’ve had a steady stream of newcomers. The nice thing is that lots of young dogs are now taking part.

A points race was scheduled for today. There are several points races throughout the season. As well as the normal winners rosettes, the dogs are awarded points according to their finishing position:

1st Place 4 points
2nd Place 3 points
3rd Place 2 points
4th Place 1 point
5th Place 1 point

The dog that comes in first is handicapped at the next points race and has to start 6 yards behind the other dogs. His handicap is gradually reduced by a yard a week until he’s running from scratch again – unless of course he manages another first place in which case it’s back to a 6 yard handicap. After the first few points races all the fast dogs are typically running with a handicap giving the slower dogs a chance to win some points. At the end of the season a trophy is awarded to the dog with the most points.

According to the schedule most of the season’s points races are also weight handicapped (in keeping with the rules in Whippet racing). Larger dogs are considered to have a big advantage over small dogs so Whippet racing uses weight handicaps to ensure that all the dogs get a fair chance. The lighter dogs start the race one yard per pound ahead of the heavier dogs.

All the Beagles lined up for their weigh in before racing kicked off. Beanie is still the same trim 23lbs as last season. The other Beagles tend to range between 30 – 40+ lbs so last year Beanie easily won all of the handicap races – she started 10 yards ahead of all the fast dogs! We were surprised to discover that Biggles is only 25lbs – he’s much chunkier than Beanie and is even slightly taller and longer. But I guess it’s mostly bone and bone is very light.

Whilst we love our dogs to win races the weight handicap system does give them a huge (and unnecessary) advantage. Despite being small they are fast (particularly Beanie) and they do enjoy the challenge of a tough race. So we weren’t disappointed when Graham and Jill ruled that the dogs would be running from scratch (i.e. all starting level).

Beanie wins her first heat comfortably

Biggles comes in second in his heat against favorite Murphy

Beanie had a tough second heat race. She got boxed in against the barrier by Holly who was running shoulder to shoulder with her for the whole course. Beanie couldn’t get past her to the lure, and Holly only had eyes for her dad on the finish line and was making a bee line straight for him!

Beanie (red) boxed in by a super-fast Holly

But she manages to find an extra gear at the last moment and is soon back on course for the lure and a first place.

Another first place for Beanie

In his second heat Biggles is beaten into second place again by Murphy

The line up for the final was Beanie, Biggles (yay!!!), Murphy and Holly. It was close, but Beanie (white) won the race beating Murphy (red) by about half a length. Little Biggles (blue) brought up the rear in 4th place.

Beanie first, Murhpy second, Holly third and Biggles fourth

Newcomer Todd did extremely well, winning the consolation race – and showing great promise by ‘killing’ the lure.

Todd catches the lure…

…and kills it

After the first points race of the season Beanie is in the lead with 4 points, Murphy 3 points, Holly 2 points and Biggles and Todd 1 point each. But next time Beanie will be starting from 6 yards behind the other dogs!

Murphy, Biggles, Beanie, Todd and Holly

You’ll find lots more pictures of today’s racing here.

Biggles: The Metrosexual Beagle?

Posted on May 17, 2009 by Paul

Earlier this year Biggles won the “best in show” title at Beagle Racing. Later on, when we took photos of him wearing his new Retrieva dog tracking collar, the guys at Retrieva asked if they could use them to help market their products. I think all this modeling success has gone to his head and he’s become a bit of a David Beckham. He has his nails trimmed regularly, he’s got his own lipstick to use on sunny days, and now he’s had a deep cleansing mud bath.

Admittedly all this beauty stuff does seem to be working for him – I’ve never seen him looking better!

And it doesn’t seem to put the girls off in the slightest. He got on very well with Murphy – one of Beanie’s agility pals – when we bumped into her at the park.

As for Beanie, well she doesn’t bother with beauty treatments as such but she is partial to a bit of perfume. Not the common stuff you see advertised on the telly of course! No for her it’s got to be Eau de Fox Poo. A couple of subtle smears either side of her neck and she just knows she’s hot!

Water Babies

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Susan

As promised, here’s the video clip from Wednesday’s swim session:

We were only booked for a 30 minute swim, but the hydrotherapy centre had a visit from the local vet and we were asked if we’d mind staying on a bit longer so he could watch Beanie and Biggles swim. Beanie ended up in the pool for about 45 minutes and she swam non-stop just as you see in the video – and STILL we had trouble gettting her out when it was time to go home.

Beanie’s confidence in the water is really growing fast! Biggles is a little slower to get started, but when he does he swims like a little torpedo.

I think you can just about see his Biggles’ sunburnt lip in the video – that happened at the Beach on Tuesday. He’s now got his own special lipstick to wear when he goes out in the sun….and true to form our little boy is more than happy about that! A boy has to look his best at all times.

The next planned swim session is on the 30th May with Glasgow Dog Training Club buddies Cullin, Jamie, Tess, Clara and Tara. Beagle twins Tara and Clara will be celebrating their 1st birthday on the day. Clara and Tara came to Beanie’s first birthday party back in October so I think we’ll be having their birthday party at the pool – a ‘real’ pool party!