CorvusCorax
Deary me...
Not at all Lexie, and as you know I have one I cannot let off in an unsecured space, but harder for a dog previously used to running and hunting for hours on end x
Fox Hounds as pets?
- Thread starter erin.
- Start date
lexiedhb
Well-Known Member
I think the Hounds lost usually spend time on long lines to be honest, dont think Hunting etc for hours was ever really on their agenda........
Mine naffed off into a bush last night- all lit up came out, unlit, having broken one set of lights and lost the other totally...... pooh head!
Mine naffed off into a bush last night- all lit up came out, unlit, having broken one set of lights and lost the other totally...... pooh head!
CorvusCorax
Deary me...
I was talking about hounds in general, as was Maesfen, This is why retired working foxhounds are not the best candidates for re-homing, it's far too easy for them to go back to their hunting ways without a care in the world for their carer because that is what they were bred to do, it's natural to them and it's no life for them if they're not able to run free ever again on a walk.
Dobiegirl
Well-Known Member
and even my foxhounds that are from working parents will not be foxhounds according to some on here as for flint being part bloodhound, really! the size alone says other wise, and i hunt with bloodhounds, but once again i know nothing to those who dont even life with the breeds they are talking about.[/QUOTE]
How do you know none of us dont live with the breeds(foxhounds). I lived at Hunt kennels for years though I lived in the house and the hounds lived in kennels. I knew every hound by name and knew all their little quirks and I learnt from the Kennel/huntsman who had spent a lifetime with hounds,his father and his grandfather had all hunted hounds and all we talked about was hounds and horses.
How do you know none of us dont live with the breeds(foxhounds). I lived at Hunt kennels for years though I lived in the house and the hounds lived in kennels. I knew every hound by name and knew all their little quirks and I learnt from the Kennel/huntsman who had spent a lifetime with hounds,his father and his grandfather had all hunted hounds and all we talked about was hounds and horses.
CinnamonChristmasCookie
Fais pas chier!
But I don't think they were within walking distance of home? It was a new walk. My lot get driven 10 mins away from home to walk. I doubt they'd have a clue how to get home if lost!
Maesfen
Extremely Old Nag!
How is it that some hounds that might have been drafted to other packs many miles away which can take days or even those that have been 'lost' during a days hunting can make their way home over strange territory? Don't tell me you've never read or seen The Incredible Journey?
Animals, particularly scenting hounds have a built in radar of where their roots are however far away they are and whether they were transported there or not and this is another reason not to re-home retired foxhounds, it's not good when they are forever returning to kennels under their own steam which could involve heavily trafficked areas, railway lines and so on and the dangers they pose, not only for the hound but people that come across them too.
Do you seriously think I wouldn't have had some of my old foxhounds back if there was a chance at all? I don't because I love them too much, I couldn't restrict their life to walks on a lead after their working life (which they love and live for) is over, that is far too unfair and selfish on my part.
EAST KENT
Well-Known Member
So true.The hound puppy you walk is a different animal to an entered hound; Even having bitches home to whelp is very different,she will have her puppies as her centre of her universe..but to a working hound..retired or not..the kennels are it`s centre ..and it will travel many many miles to get home.
Hounds found "straying" by the well meaning public are so often probably making their own way "home". Usually though hounds disregard ordinary members of the public,so catching them to" rescue "them is really quite difficult. Makes you wonder.
Hounds found "straying" by the well meaning public are so often probably making their own way "home". Usually though hounds disregard ordinary members of the public,so catching them to" rescue "them is really quite difficult. Makes you wonder.
Alec Swan
...
So true.The hound puppy you walk is a different animal to an entered hound; Even having bitches home to whelp is very different,she will have her puppies as her centre of her universe..but to a working hound..retired or not..the kennels are it`s centre ..and it will travel many many miles to get home.
Hounds found "straying" by the well meaning public are so often probably making their own way "home". Usually though hounds disregard ordinary members of the public,so catching them to" rescue "them is really quite difficult.
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.Makes you wonder.
Yes, doesn't it just!
I have some sympathy for larksgirl, but I wonder if she still feels able to promote the hound, as an everyday pet. Those of us who've known them, love them, but as pets?
A.
RunToEarth
Well-Known Member
Interesting thread. Our hunt do re home the occasional fox hound, but only to very knowledgeable hunting homes who understand the commitment and the huge contrast from any kind of domestic dog, and from what I have heard and seems it seems to be largely successful.
CinnamonChristmasCookie
Fais pas chier!
How is it that some hounds that might have been drafted to other packs many miles away which can take days or even those that have been 'lost' during a days hunting can make their way home over strange territory? Don't tell me you've never read or seen The Incredible Journey?
Nope, 'fraid not. I know one of the hounds only came to her recently having been running wild for a while.
Having had to go and help the OH call for naughty youngsters recently, I wonder if they are just getting lost as we tend to (stupidly) do similar walks daily. I'd hate for mine to try for home if they were lost: there's a slip road for the M25 and a dual carriageway, depending on which way they tried.
lakesgirl
Active Member
Thanks for updating everyone Cinammontoast,I didn't realise it was on here aswell.
Basically both Craven and Flint were at a huge wood just outside of Dumfries,part of this has been deforested and after walking through the wood I decided to go a walk on the deforested bit.
Both dogs were with me & then just disappeared,I stayed for 3 hours calling them,as I knew Craven would come back.
When it got dark I came home & put them on dog lost & another forum and went back a few times.
At first light I went out again and stayed there for 8 hours as I knew they wouldn't be too far away.
Meanwhile the people on the other forum had been working like mad and had contacted the ranger of the site who came to help.
It was he who found them about a half mile away from where I lost them.and annoyingly where I had searched only 2 hours before.
Both dogs were limping but are ok now.
I am so proud of these dogs as I have only had Flint for 6 weeks and they stayed together.
They were missing for 26 hours.
Basically both Craven and Flint were at a huge wood just outside of Dumfries,part of this has been deforested and after walking through the wood I decided to go a walk on the deforested bit.
Both dogs were with me & then just disappeared,I stayed for 3 hours calling them,as I knew Craven would come back.
When it got dark I came home & put them on dog lost & another forum and went back a few times.
At first light I went out again and stayed there for 8 hours as I knew they wouldn't be too far away.
Meanwhile the people on the other forum had been working like mad and had contacted the ranger of the site who came to help.
It was he who found them about a half mile away from where I lost them.and annoyingly where I had searched only 2 hours before.
Both dogs were limping but are ok now.
I am so proud of these dogs as I have only had Flint for 6 weeks and they stayed together.
They were missing for 26 hours.
lakesgirl
Active Member
Yes, doesn't it just!
I have some sympathy for larksgirl, but I wonder if she still feels able to promote the hound, as an everyday pet. Those of us who've known them, love them, but as pets?
A.
I am not trying to promote Foxhounds as pets,they are not for the faint hearted or novices.
But that doesn't mean to say they can't be pets.Just like Beagles/Bloodhounds basically any hound.
I have a working knowledge of Foxhounds & Harriers and was brought up with Beagles.
And on them going missing on our walk,They are not the first dogs of any breed to go missing nor will they be the last.
alfiesowner
Active Member
This is a very old post but I would like to say I have a Foxhound cross as a pet.
He is a rescue dog. He was originally sold as a Beagle Labrador cross to the owners before they gave him up at six months old. We adopted him at a year old and it was relatively clear he is a Foxhound. We think he may be a cross but many people who have met him having been on hunts or even part of them think he is just plain old English Foxhound.
Anyway, my point being that while he is hard work like ANY high energy dog, he is a beautiful pet to have. Perhaps we are lucky but that's not what I understand from Foxhound Welfare - the hounds they rehome tend to do very well.
Alfie can and does go off lead. We joke he would be useless in a hunt; while he does follow a scent he will come when called, he just has to stay on lead in built up areas or near houses as he has a tendency to go exploring others gardens or even attempt to get inside their houses! He is mischevious that's for sure, but he does respond to commands.
Provided he's exercised for at least an hour a day, with some play in the garden, he generally sleeps or lazes around all day. He's perfectly happy on the couch and won't even get up until 11 some mornings. He absolutely adores his training and I've never encountered such an intelligent dog. Yes, if he isn't exercised enough he will make his own entertainment but this is NOT in the way of destruction. He may find a sock or a letter to tear up but he prefers to open doors, cupboards and dog gates, find his put away toys and play with them. He doesn't like to be left alone, he's better in the evenings after some good exercise and he'll sleep until we get home. In the day we just take him to a nearby doggy daycare at kennels and he loves it.
Alfie does have his issues but these are generally rescue related and NOT breed related. He was an anxious dog when we got him so with too much handling, a raised voice or if he's unsure and he thinks he may get hit/hurt - he will run away, bay and howl or sometimes cower and hide away. His responses to anxiety can be severe misbehaving - he has got away from us slipping the collar when we first got him, but now the trust is there he comes back when called and he doesn't attempt to slip collars or harnesses anymore anyway.
Alfie loves other dogs too. No sign of aggression in him at all. He's unsure of children purely because he lived with a five year old who thought it okay to sit on him, hit him and scream at him (and parents did nothing).
All in all my very late comment and slight rant is to say please don't believe all the stuff about them not making good pets. If you have the time to commit to training, can earn their respect and create physical boundaries (like we never allow him in the kitchen!) they make fantastic pets. He goes to tracking every other week, scent training and is even going for his Bronze Kennel Club obedience award. I know plenty of 'normal' breeds incapable of this - a Foxhound can do whatever he puts his mind to!
I truly believe a dog is what you get out of them. You do need a sense of humour for a Foxhound and they aren't for everyone true, but I wouldn't change him for the world. The lie that they cannot be domesticated is too often peddled and Foxhound Welfare and many other organisations are now breaking through this untruth.
He is a rescue dog. He was originally sold as a Beagle Labrador cross to the owners before they gave him up at six months old. We adopted him at a year old and it was relatively clear he is a Foxhound. We think he may be a cross but many people who have met him having been on hunts or even part of them think he is just plain old English Foxhound.
Anyway, my point being that while he is hard work like ANY high energy dog, he is a beautiful pet to have. Perhaps we are lucky but that's not what I understand from Foxhound Welfare - the hounds they rehome tend to do very well.
Alfie can and does go off lead. We joke he would be useless in a hunt; while he does follow a scent he will come when called, he just has to stay on lead in built up areas or near houses as he has a tendency to go exploring others gardens or even attempt to get inside their houses! He is mischevious that's for sure, but he does respond to commands.
Provided he's exercised for at least an hour a day, with some play in the garden, he generally sleeps or lazes around all day. He's perfectly happy on the couch and won't even get up until 11 some mornings. He absolutely adores his training and I've never encountered such an intelligent dog. Yes, if he isn't exercised enough he will make his own entertainment but this is NOT in the way of destruction. He may find a sock or a letter to tear up but he prefers to open doors, cupboards and dog gates, find his put away toys and play with them. He doesn't like to be left alone, he's better in the evenings after some good exercise and he'll sleep until we get home. In the day we just take him to a nearby doggy daycare at kennels and he loves it.
Alfie does have his issues but these are generally rescue related and NOT breed related. He was an anxious dog when we got him so with too much handling, a raised voice or if he's unsure and he thinks he may get hit/hurt - he will run away, bay and howl or sometimes cower and hide away. His responses to anxiety can be severe misbehaving - he has got away from us slipping the collar when we first got him, but now the trust is there he comes back when called and he doesn't attempt to slip collars or harnesses anymore anyway.
Alfie loves other dogs too. No sign of aggression in him at all. He's unsure of children purely because he lived with a five year old who thought it okay to sit on him, hit him and scream at him (and parents did nothing).
All in all my very late comment and slight rant is to say please don't believe all the stuff about them not making good pets. If you have the time to commit to training, can earn their respect and create physical boundaries (like we never allow him in the kitchen!) they make fantastic pets. He goes to tracking every other week, scent training and is even going for his Bronze Kennel Club obedience award. I know plenty of 'normal' breeds incapable of this - a Foxhound can do whatever he puts his mind to!
I truly believe a dog is what you get out of them. You do need a sense of humour for a Foxhound and they aren't for everyone true, but I wouldn't change him for the world. The lie that they cannot be domesticated is too often peddled and Foxhound Welfare and many other organisations are now breaking through this untruth.