Falco and the Blood Tracking Trials: A Day in the Švábenice Forests

In the calendar of our breeding kennel Dukes of the South, Thursday, September 18, 2025, had been marked in red for a long time. It was on this day that the blood tracking trials for scenthounds (BZH) took place in the hunting grounds near Švábenice, for which we had been preparing our Falco. For a Beagle, as a breed falling under FCI standard no. 161, these trials are a crucial milestone. It is not just about obtaining a certificate, but above all about confirming that our dogs retain their natural working qualities, for which they have been bred for generations.

The morning in Švábenice welcomed us with typical September weather – cool air and dew, which promised good scent conditions in the forest. The atmosphere at the lineup was focused, as is usual at hunting trials. For Falco, it was an opportunity to show what is truly in him. In our breeding kennel, we place great emphasis on working ability, and the BZH are, in this respect, an ideal test of endurance, obedience, and above all, the ability to work on a trail.

The actual work in the field required maximum calmness from both the dog and the handler. Falco set off on the scent trail with the energy that is typical of him, but at the same time with the necessary deliberation. Watching him work on the "blood trail" is a reward for every breeder. It is the moment when the theory of genetic predispositions turns into practice. Falco proved that he has an excellent nose and the ability to maintain concentration even in the more challenging forest undergrowth, where various game scents mix.

The judges closely watched every movement, baying, and the way the dog cooperates with its handler. Disciplines such as the stay or behavior at dead game are a test of patience and discipline, which can sometimes be a challenge for spirited Beagles. However, Falco confirmed his balanced temperament and the honest training we had undergone with him in the past months.

We were very pleased with the final evaluation. Falco successfully passed the BZH trial with a score of 145 points. This result is a clear signal to us that the path we have taken at Dukes of the South makes sense. Combining conformation qualities with real working usability is exactly what we expect from a modern and healthy Beagle.

We left Švábenice tired but with a sense of a job well done. Falco deserved his success, and for our kennel, it is another confirmation that working abilities are firmly anchored in his line. It is a motivation for our future work and proof that at heart, the Beagle remains, above all, a clever and hardworking hunting dog.