Hunt hounds

[Moobli]

Does anyone know whether hunt hounds are safe with member of the public's dogs while out hunting, on a trail or in full cry?

 

[Starzaan]

We used to have the hounds meet at home, and my dog was an absolute bugger for escaping and trying to join in. He never once got injured.
What makes you think dogs would be unsafe with hounds around?

 

[Moobli]

I was walking somewhere recently and there was a hunt in the vicinity. I had two adult GSDs but also two small beardie border pups and I must admit I was a little bit nervous about meeting them. I did tell myself that they are likely to be well under control and not a threat to my dogs, but glad you have confirmed it.

 

[TPO]

Pretty sure there are links to articles about hounds killing cats and attacking small dogs (as well as other livestock/pets) on the "hunting is in a spot of bother" thread.

You'd hope that they'd be all under control but I wouldn't rely on it.

 

[ester]

Someone's lab used to join in occasionally, the hounds seemed a bit confused by it not making the right noises/ignored it.

 

[Moobli]

Pretty sure there are links to articles about hounds killing cats and attacking small dogs (as well as other livestock/pets) on the "hunting is in a spot of bother" thread.

You'd hope that they'd be all under control but I wouldn't rely on it.

Eek! I think I will just steer clear in future.

 

[Tiddlypom]

You'd hope that they'd be all under control but I wouldn't rely on it.

This.

'Cur' dogs ought to be ignored by correctly trained hounds, as should cats, chickens etc. But don't bank on it.

Especially if the dogs are small fluffy things.

We go on lockdown here when the hunt are about, just in case.

 

[TPO]

Eek! I think I will just steer clear in future.

I've no first hand experience of seeing hounds go rogue or any out of control. It probably is a rare occurrence but I'd always err on the side of caution especially with smaller dogs/animals.

 

[Moobli]

I've no first hand experience of seeing hounds go rogue or any out of control. It probably is a rare occurrence but I'd always err on the side of caution especially with smaller dogs/animals.

Yes I will err on the side of caution. If I had just had the two GSDs I think I would have felt less concerned.

 

[ester]

Would also add, were very use to footfollowers dogs on lead too so perhaps well practiced at really not bothering about them?

 

[palo1]

My terrier has mixed with hounds on the lead (ie my dog on a lead) and off lead. Never a bother but if I wasn't sure of the level of control I would be more cautious; the same way you would with any unknown dog tbh. Hounds are all individuals so some would be more interested/playful/dominant than others but I have never had a problem and know several people that take their dogs to watch trail hunting. I trust my terrier somewhat less than I trust the pack of hounds I know lol!!

 

[blackcob]

Family have hounds in for puppy walking and without exception they have all been terrified of the small dog, to the point of dramatic skulking and yelping if he so much as looks at them, but I would absolutely not trust nor want to meet a pack in full cry.

 

[skinnydipper]

Two lurchers were attacked by hounds in Devon and a labrador attacked by a pack of beagles in Cheshire.

 

[Smitty]

Some years ago my farrier rehomed his terrier to a farmer where it just wandered around the farm at will. According to farrier, one day the hunt passed through the land and terrier joined in, hunting with the pack all day. People were wondering who it belonged to. On its eventual return, it was swiftly rehomed with farmer's mum. These would have been beagles.

 

[AmyMay]

I was walking somewhere recently and there was a hunt in the vicinity. I had two adult GSDs but also two small beardie border pups and I must admit I was a little bit nervous about meeting them. I did tell myself that they are likely to be well under control and not a threat to my dogs, but glad you have confirmed it.

It would make me nervous too. I have hunted with hounds that have taken cats. And small pups could possibly be a risk.

 

[Clodagh]

A long ago story and one I have told before. OH used to do the terrier work. He had a ginger Lakeland. He used him to bolt a fox from a drain (this was way pre ban) and the terrier went away on the fox. Hounds hunted up the line and just ran past the small ginger cur, he appeared out the back of the pack absolutely furious but just too slow.
I would certainly not be blasé, I’d put my dogs on leads, but I wouldn’t panic.

 

[Smitty]

Hound pups are generally 'walked' though aren't they? I had friends with GSD and another with JRs who walked them and hound pups used to mingle if I remember rightly.

Many years ago I was out hunting and the hounds killed a cat so I would not take risks with a cur dog whilst they are on a scent or their blood is up.

 

[skinnydipper]

https://m.facebook.com/groups/northdevonnews/permalink/1868375006673212/

 

[Rokele55]

Well, hounds live in packs with, almost invariably, other dogs all over the place. They are probably the best socialised canine you could come across, puppy walkers keep them with their own dogs as well . Out hunting all they are interested in is hunting the prey (trail). Go to a show where hounds are parading, or a meet, and have look. Small children and other dogs are ignored. Your sausage roll on the other hand.... Incidentally, is there the same attitude to bloodhounds?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Well, hounds live in packs with, almost invariably, other dogs all over the place. They are probably the best socialised canine you could come across, puppy walkers keep them with their own dogs as well . Out hunting all they are interested in is hunting the prey (trail).

That is, of course, the theory.

However, many of us who have posted on here that the OP was right to be wary have actually been hunting ourselves. So we know first hand what could and can happen, and are not just spouting the standard pro hunt 'hounds are well trained' blah blah.

 

[skinnydipper]

Whether the hounds are well socialised or not, I cannot imagine it would be much fun for Joe Bloggs and his dog to be overwhelmed by a pack when out for a ramble.

 

[Cortez]

The killing of cur dogs (eg. anything that isn't a foxhound) is/was a regular occurrence. Anyone who lives in the country knows to keep their dogs* in if the hunt is going through.

*and cats, goats, etc.

 

[PurBee]

Here in ireland, we rarely get the hunt this far out in the wilderness of loads of forestry, but very rarely the hounds, which are, dont forget, legally hunting fox, have split off from the main pack and made it onto my land. I’d hear their crying. I’d go outside, and see 2-3 scattering around my garden and wider land, and was amazed they never looked up. Didnt see me/register any interest in me standing nearby observing them. Snouts down, jogging along the scent.

I’ve always had animals here and they didnt latch onto my animals scent…which would be everywhere.

These dogs were huge too…gsd+ size and chunkier. I was marvelling at their size rather than worrying about them in those moments tbh. They seemed so locked onto scent and hearing the pack further afield, my movements/voice didnt register at all. They were in ‘work’ mode 100%, despite being split-off from main pack.

If my gsd was out with me loose on the land, she would have gone to say hello, but i think they’d just get on with their job….she might have followed them for adventure!

But we’ve had reports of incidents in uk with hounds so treat as you would any other off-lead dog - sane caution. Having had loose dogs turn up here that had escaped their garden and went on a bloody rampage through the valley, im much less afraid of meeting loose working fox hounds than loose domestic dogs tbh!

 

[PurBee]

Reports of cats mauled in ireland, and 1 report in 2002 of a dog. Cats seem more of a target than dogs, (probably due to absence of a person?)

http://www.banbloodsports.com/ln110304b.htm

 

[Widgeon]

What makes you think dogs would be unsafe with hounds around?

I can't remember where it was but hounds killed the host's terrier at a lawn meet once - I'm fairly sure I read that from a reliable source but I can't remember where, or how old it was. If anyone can provide a more reliable citation than my hazy memory that would be great!

That said, that's the only occurence I can think of ever having heard of, and I've only ever encountered hounds "in the wild" (haha) alone, when they've wandered off / got lost and I happened to be passing and helped catch them. In that situation they are mostly just very big and very thick. Not remotely scary.

 

[Moobli]

Thanks everyone for your experiences, thoughts and comments. I wasn’t worried enough not to continue my walk but as I’ve never encountered a pack of hounds (only lost loose individuals) when out with my own dogs I wasn’t sure what to expect. It seems, as with all strange dogs, it pays to be cautious.

 

[Rokele55]

That is, of course, the theory.

However, many of us who have posted on here that the OP was right to be wary have actually been hunting ourselves. So we know first hand what could and can happen, and are not just spouting the standard pro hunt 'hounds are well trained' blah blah.

And I am speaking from the experience of living in kennels. My father was kennel huntsman. His hounds never killed a cat, sheep, pet or working dog, only foxes. He was exemplary in that aspect and we always had cats and sheep etc.. Our lambs used to come on hound exercise. I am aware that not all hunt staff are as diligent, but they generally don't last long in the job. I have no concerns with my terriers if I meet a pack of hounds but have had many years of living amongst them.

 

[twiggy2]

Never had a problem and they used to hunt past the mobile we lived in and one of the terriers used to go out and throw all his swear words at them very loudly to try and make them go away, they didn't even look at him.
My ex brother in laws lab used to join them for the day and the hunt would phone bil to go and collect him at the end of the day.
And the mink hounds used to encourage followers with or without dogs and again never a problem.
I always figure it a bit like the collies they are busy doing the thing that floats their boat and really don't give a stuff about other stuff as a general rule

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'd always err on the side of caution, they're dogs, not robots.
I've seen that CCTV of a bunch of pet dogs setting about one another and turning on a staff member at a daycare place, dogs can do all sorts of out of character things when their blood is up/something sounds/smells/acts like prey, especially if there's competition.

I do know of an SAR bloodhound that can't go offline as it isn't safe around stock.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I have heard that if a hound does kill a 'cur' dog it would be put down. Not sure how true that is.