Locally owned beagle wins world title
COSHOCTON – Sundown Willie Brown may only be three years old, but he’s already enjoying retirement after reaching the top of his game.
The beagle owned by Don McVay and Dave McVay won the title of 2014 UKC Hunting Beagle World Hunt Champion Oct. 2, in Dixon, Missouri.
“This is our fifth world title,” Dave said. “We were pretty happy. It’s all about training and breeding, but like any other sport you have to be good enough to get there and have a little luck.”
Sundown Willie Brown, who was raised and trained by the McVays as a pup, made it to the world event after winning a qualifying hunt in Ohio with the Coshocton Beagle Club.
During a hunt, beagles go out in a group in search of rabbits.
“They have to be fast and accurate,” Dave said.
He’s been involved with beagle hunts for 15 years, but his family has been around the activity for probably 50 years.
“I like the competition and the people,” Dave said. “This win was pretty special though because Don lost his wife the week prior. This is really his dog so it meant a lot to him and lifted his spirit. I wanted to fly him out to Missouri, but he’s superstitious and told me to keep doing what I was doing.”
Sundown Willie Brown came home with some great prizes for the McVays. They received Purina dog food, a dog box, a tracking system, a coat, a travel bag, training system and two trophies. The brothers also plan to use Sundown Willie Brown for breeding more potential champions.
“There are more world champions in Coshocton County than anywhere else in the U.S.,” Dave said. “Some of the best beagles that win big hunts are raised right here.”
The McVay family organizes an annual beagle hunt in August and encourages people who are interested in the sport to come out and have fun.
“It’s not all about winning,” Dave said. “You have to learn to win the right way. If you walk away with a trophy, but you didn’t win the right way you won’t have the respect of your peers. After we won our title so many people called and congratulated us and that’s what makes this special. That doesn’t always happen. Beagle hunts are a great family event.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
