Hounds - foxhunting and drag

[Tharg]

Hello

Can anyone tell me please what hounds are used for draghunting? Particularly in Ireland. I know the Northern Irish hounds is used, as well as I think a trailhound? Is it just foxhounds used for foxhunting or are their others as well.

What would be the main differences?

I am in a debate with someone who is adamant that many hunts do both and use the same hounds/horses. Is it mainly the hunt staff/frequent fliers that will use a second horse during drag hunting?

Also for hunting the clean boot and trail hunting, what hounds are used?

Thanks

 

[Dogstar]

Sorry I don't know anything about Ireland but I gather that in England, draghounds are just foxhounds drafted from fox hunt packs. Hunting the clean boot is done with blood hounds. Trail hunting is usually a variation on foxhunting again with foxhounds, unless it means something different in Ireland!

 

[star]

never seen anyone use a 2nd horse with the draghounds. not out for long enough. we use foxhounds.

bloodhounds are for hunting the clean boot.

 

[houndsplease]

you wouldnt get a proper pack of hounds going drag hunting aswell as hunting the fox/ hare/stag the hounds would have no interest. quite rightly too.

 

[Aesculus]

you wouldnt get a proper pack of hounds going drag hunting aswell as hunting the fox/ hare/stag the hounds would have no interest. quite rightly too.

Not quite sure what you mean by 'proper' hounds and it is at best a rather unhelpful term. However in the past it was not unusual for drag packs to also hunt foxes at least one day a week and, in addition for foreign packs (with hounds drafted from UK packs) for quarry packs to change to drag in certain circumstances.

 

[Tharg]

So if the same hounds were used for foxhunting and drag were they not more likely to go after the scent of a fox during a drag? (assuming something like aniseed is used to set the trail)

 

[houndsplease]

Not quite sure what you mean by 'proper' hounds and it is at best a rather unhelpful term. However in the past it was not unusual for drag packs to also hunt foxes at least one day a week and, in addition for foreign packs (with hounds drafted from UK packs) for quarry packs to change to drag in certain circumstances.

a proper pack asing not a drag or bloodhound pack

 

[Aesculus]

So if the same hounds were used for foxhunting and drag were they not more likely to go after the scent of a fox during a drag? (assuming something like aniseed is used to set the trail)

There are more exotic mixtures on record as can be seen below from this extract from my article 'Hunting in Strange Places' from www.bailyshuntingdirectory.com

"Summer hunting was confined to the marshlands and reed beds in pursuit of otter and civet, whereas in winter, deer, fox and hare were pursued with an occasional drag hunt. The drag hunt mixture was enhanced with all manner of scents, which apparently included the hair combings off a Siberian stag – a tricky business in the rutting season – but the best was Himalayan Bear urine mixed with porcupine droppings. The porcupine matter was added after a successful encounter with a large porcupine in hill country about 100 miles from Shanghai. Apparently, hounds revelled in this scent, which lay well, even in a drought. The source of this exotic mix was the local zoo – the Chinese zoo attendant being delighted to augment his meagre salary by the receipt of a decent tip."

 

[winterhorses2]

a proper pack asing not a drag or bloodhound pack

Drag hounds are foxhounds. They are proper hounds, what a stupid thing to say.

We use a fox based scent not an aniseed one.

 

[houndsplease]

the word i originally used was pack a drag pack is not a foxhound, beagle, harrier, staghound pack !!!!

 

[Binkle&Flip]

We use a fox based scent not an aniseed one.[/QUOTE]

No wonder the poor hounds dont know if they are coming or going given the present ban

 

[winterhorses2]

We use a fox based scent not an aniseed one.

No wonder the poor hounds dont know if they are coming or going given the present ban [/QUOTE]

Why not???
It is bred into them to be hunting a fox, so by dragging a scent, that is fox based, it is more natural for them to follow it.

Hounds please, i know what you were insinuating about drag hounds not being a proper pack, but at the end of the day, they are still hounds and have to be treated and worked the same.

 

[Daddy_Long_Legs]

Definitely just foxhounds drafted in from other packs or bred themselves.

I've heard of packs on the continent that keep a fox or two in the kennels and collect the fox pee for the trail.