How To’s

This article first appeared in BHD 1957 Master of Foxhounds. ‘The Master wears a scarlet Hunt frock coat, usually with four buttons, the bottom one of which is at the waist seam. White breeches buttoned at the knee; black boots with mahogany tops and white boot garters; spurs with black spur straps; black velvet hunting...

This is a list of all known and verified ear tatoos and  litter numbers (if appropriate) used to identfy hunts in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Tattoo Hunt name A.F. South Shropshire A. + number in right High Peak A.B. right, number left Heythrop B. + number on ear Duke of Beaufort’s B. right ear...

In one of my favourite childhood books, Beatrix Potter’s Jemima Puddle Duck, there is a charming picture of two hound puppies escorting Jemima home in tears, after her ordeal with the foxy whiskered gentleman. They are moving back to the farm in a stately and decorous procession, the very models of virtue and sobriety, and...

“All On!” A pack is “all on” when every hound comprising it is present.  Upon leaving a covert, and at the end of the day’s sport, a whipper-in counts (“makes”) the pack, and, if all are present, reports “All on”. At fault When hounds check, they are said to be at fault.   Babble A...

The best way to look after your new Bowler is to store it in the box supplied, away from sunlight and brush it with a soft-bristled brush; be careful with soft felts because a stiff bristled brush can tear the felt. For stubborn stains the brush will not reach, try using a makeup sponge, rubbing...

Very few people have the good fortune to breed a pack of hounds and only a handful of the blessed enjoy the opportunity to develop a pack over a lifetime. Hound breeding is not an area in which the ordinary hunting person gets involved and although many will be quick to comment on the qualities...

The  majority  of  successful  hound  breeders  over  the  years  have  adopted  a  form  of  hound  breeding  known  as  ‘line  breeding’  so  that  they  can  make  and  retain  a  level  pack  of  hounds  that  can  hunt  and run up together. Line breeding is a form of inbreeding, as the method is to multiply the names of...

In this article by Martin Scott taken from Baily’s Hunting Companion he gives some thought as to what judges look for when judging ‘on the flags’.  One of the aims of holding a puppy show is to thank those stalwarts of the hunt, the puppy walkers, for their valuable contribution to the hunt. Hound shows,...

In selecting hunting kit I would never economise on a coat. A second­hand or off the peg coat can be altered but a tailor-made coat is best. Box calf boots that last two seasons or nylon breeches are good economies but a good coat has great advantages. Having a coat made The two buttons at...