Stars On The Flags And In The Field

What are the judges — and huntsmen — looking for? Rebecca Jordan finds out what characteristics each hound should possess

- Rebecca Jordan

Giorgio Armani, the fashion designer, once said that the difference between style and fashion is quality. Over the years we have seen many fashions in the hound show ring. Some, as in the world of fashion, have been at the expense of practicality. Today, thankfully, sound conformation is rewarded; a trait essential to longevity in the hunting field. When that hound also possesses style — a distinctive but elusive presence — it has quality.

This is all for nothing if the hound has no hunting ability.

“It is best to breed from the best working families to get the workers required. Good assessment in the field is vital. If the whole litter are good ones, then anyone from the litter can be bred from. If a hound is not good in its work it should not be bred from,” says Martin Scott, who freely admits he finds it hard to source a good stallion hound from an outside pack for the VWH kennels, where he has managed the breeding program since 1977.

“Why? Because there are fewer hounds about and there aren’t so many people interested in hound breeding nowadays,” he explains.

“Today’s masters have far too much to do other than studying hound breeding. A fairly high turnover of masters means we are losing essential continuity. It is a labor of love to carry out an in-depth study of a hound’s pedigree to realize the long-term benefits of line-breeding.”

The modern English hound Grove and Rufford Broker 15 (by Bellman 13 and out of Posy 12) is one of today’s fashion icons. Eleven of his progeny were in the ribbons at Peterborough last summer. Despite his age, Broker also held his own, taking reserve with his son Stanton 18 in the entered couples class. Bellman was responsible for five prize winners that same day.