Scratch to win

[TopShelfKennels]

I agree the dogs best interest is priority. But once you step over those walls, he is a competitor and in my opinion, the scratch is how you win. Completing the scratch ensures a winner, if one quits and the other doesnt have too, then technically speaking, many dogs are saved from a draw. (Loss) If scratching is the name of the game, then i believe you should scratch to win. From a gambler's view, i wouldnt want to scratch if the opponent quit already, but as competitor who strives for quality, i am very proud knowing we won definitively. But too each his own, i understand the reasoning behind both preferences.

[EWO]

I agree, once you step over the wall it is a competition. Competition is about winning and losing. Striving for quality and being proud of winning definitively are just feelings. They have nothing to do with winning. All those things should be done prior to stepping over the wall. When one steps over the wall the question of striving for quality should have already been answered. Once the win has been established that is all that should be asked of a dog. No need to do extra just to satisfy a personal feeling.

Scratching is the name of the game. A dog is only and should only be required to scratch when it is his turn to do so. I understand it can be seen from both sides of the fence, and to each his own. I just think every dog has the right to quit (not scratch) and no dog should be asked to do so if does not have to do so (scratch to win).

And with that said. I have seen the night (as a younger guy) that I would make a statement scratch at the end just to stick it in he face of the crowd or the opposite side. There is nothing like winning, and then showing there is more where that came from. As I got a little older I came to the way of thinking that once all the pre-req's are complete and we step over the wall...it is all about the dog...My personal feelings and my ego are on the other side of the wall.

Great series of posts. Great topic. Good insight. EWO

[TopShelfKennels]

Point taken! I see where you're coming from.

[CYJ]

Scratch to win, or scratch to continue. Should never be a stipulation in order for you and your dog to win. It can be asked for verbally by the other handler and up to the other party to accept or not. Seldom is there any advantage for one to do either.

You can ask for a courtesy scratch on either dog after the counting is done and have a declared winner. The time and work that goes into a dog keep. You go to Win even if it is by the hair of your chinny chin chin. LOL

[Pedhelper]

"I agree the dogs best interest is priority. But once you step over those walls, he is a competitor and in my opinion, the scratch is how you win. Completing the scratch ensures a winner, if one quits and the other doesnt have too, then technically speaking, many dogs are saved from a draw. (Loss) If scratching is the name of the game, then i believe you should scratch to win. From a gambler's view, i wouldnt want to scratch if the opponent quit already, but as competitor who strives for quality, i am very proud knowing we won definitively. But too each his own, i understand the reasoning behind both preferences." - my view exactly!

[R2L]

If scratch to win was mandatory in Cajun rules, it basically wouldnt matter who makes the first turn and who's turn it is to scratch. I must say i really like this aspect of the game. Yes, probably many have been saved from a draw, but thats the game and like EWO said, if anyone doubts they have to put their money where their mouth is

[evolutionkennels]

If scratch to win was mandatory in Cajun rules, it basically wouldnt matter who makes the first turn and who's turn it is to scratch. I must say i really like this aspect of the game. Yes, probably many have been saved from a draw, but thats the game and like EWO said, if anyone doubts they have to put their money where their mouth is

We always did scratch to win. The downside is that if you 86 the dog in the box, some dogs won't scratch to a dead dog. In machobuck 5th, CH. Edge was dead in 38 minutes, from 38 min to 1:27 Machobuck was literally dismembering the other dog. Luckily, he let go a half of second to catch his breath and dtown was able to scoop him up. Even more lucky was that by then Machobuck thought edge was his chew toy and he freightrained on his release. Some dogs won't. But i agree, imo, scratch to win is a must

[CYJ]

In the Cajun rules you do not have to scratch to win or to a dead dog to win. If a dog is counted out, dies in a match for any reason it is the automatic loser. If a dog jumps the pit and feet hit the ground is a automatic loser. If there is a scratch to win agreement, the referee should know and the spectators.

When your opponent will not pick up a losing or dying dog. If one ask you to scratch to win may be hoping your dog will not scratch to a dead dog or has seen a fault in your dog. Unless you have a deep game high predator drive dog. Best to decline and remind that person of the rules.

One should never have a person referee that does not have a book of the Cajun rules and knows all of it. I have seen sore losers pick up their dog, let your dog slam into the corner wall on scratch to win or courtesy scratches.

Another reason some will leave a losing dog down is in hopes of killing your dog as well. From the excessive exertion and drawing the match out to long. Sometimes the winning dog can go into shock.

This sort of thing stays in the mind of dog men a long time. When Burton refused to pick up his badly hurt and dying dog. The Con trying to be pulled, was the scratch to win or scratch to continue. A good Referee should have stepped in reminded him of the poor sportsmanship he was displaying. That soon as that dog is declared dead. He loses and the party is over. Which did happen but was drawn out way to long.

I seen this sort of thing maybe once or twice. The good dog men shunned them and would not match them. When the other dog is counted out and you want a courtesy scratch ask for it and tail scratch your dog. There is a smart part of match making. If you saw a bad fault in the winning dog and you have that weight. Try to match into that dog at a later date.

It is not good policy and bad manners to jump up in the crowd and loudly challenge the winning dog. Best to let all winners have their day, shake hands and be friendly. Earl Tudor said a match well made is a match well won.

Overtime I saw the dog game go from a wonderful dog fraternity to grudge matches between the different dog camps. When the dope dealers, big money gambling, gangsta groups showed up. The sport became less fun and more violent. Was no longer about game dogs only money, pride and power.

W. T. told me the last bad thing he saw not to far back was a little bitch that had given her all and fell forward on her scratch line. Could not get up, was counted out. The owner in front of the group forced her head down into a bucket of water and drowned her. Hopefully that guy owns no breed of dogs today. Cheers

[TopShelfKennels]

If the dog is dead before you can make a handle, then i wouldnt stress a courtesy all that much. But its really shitty to see dogs win in under 30 without scratching once simply because the other dog quit first. To me thats just not exceptable to me. JMHO.

[EWO]

I would not agree to it upfront and would not be looking for it in the end. To each his own though. Lots of people interpret the scratch differently. Some say the scratch is to prove a dog game. I say the scratch is to allow a dog the opportunity to quit. For me that is where it ends. All I have ever asked my dogs to do is make their scratch and once they have made theirs I am not looking for another, especially if the last set of words I hear is 8...9...10..."he ain't coming". EWO