A rare insight into the breeding of hunting hounds

This is a companion to November 2021 episode, which featured hunting hound pups, Debit and Dervish. The modern English Foxhound is one of the healthiest in the canine world. Bred for function rather than form, these supremely athletic hounds cover 15-20 miles of country in a working day. Depending on their hunting country, they might need strong back legs for hill work, overall muscular strength to navigate heavy plough, or speed for the hilly grassland of the South Downs.  Hound breeding expert Carolyn gives an overview of how bloodlines are tracked and how hunts collaborate on hound breeding. The hound stud books go back to 1800 and are a vital part of breed management. Carolyn, has overseen the hound breeding for one local hunt and is trustee for several others. She explains how breeding is managed and documented and how individual hunts cooperate to keep the gene pool healthy.  Jobs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather hears about the lure of the Peterborough (hound show) champion, how hunts cooperate with each other in drafting hounds between packs, and why no money changes hands. If you would be interested in being featured with your dog or dogs on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate Fairweather at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2021See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.