“I freely admit that the best of my fun, I owe it to horse and hound,” is the famous Whyte-Melville quote that sits at the front of each copy of Horse & Hound.
Those who hunt will know that hounds have priority at all times and the words “hounds please” can often be heard on a hunting day.
Although jumping big hedges, camaraderie with friends and crossing country that you wouldn’t usually have access to can be some of the things that excite people about hunting, watching hounds work brings the day alive for many too.
From foxhounds to bloodhounds, puppies through to retirement, we celebrate the hound by taking a look at some pictures on and off the hunting field.
Hounds in pictures
Picture credit: Sarah Farnsworth
Focussed on the job in hand: one Tiverton Foxhound looks into the distance while others look on intently behind
Photo credit: Deborah Kane
Evening, a Four Shires Bloodhound does her puppies well under the heat lamp during the summer
Continued below…
18 shades of greys out hunting *PICTURES*
We look at some spectacular greys — of varying shades — seen out on the hunting field
Photo credit: Rosie Gunn
Let sleeping dogs lie: A pile of traditional Old English Belvoir hound puppies in kennels last summer
Photo credit: Hamish Mitchell
An Eggesford hound gets a leg up during a visit to their meet at Edgerley House by one of H&H‘s hunting correspondents — don’t miss the full report in the 3 December issue of Horse & Hound magazine
Photo credit: Trevor Meeks
One of the Dunston Harriers gets in on the act during the presentation of a cheque by hunt chairman Brian King and Georgie Mann to Patrick Peel of the air ambulance
Photo credit: Hamish Mitchell
Homeward bound at the end of the day for the Dulverton Farmers’ hounds following their meet near East Anstey on Exmoor
Photo credit: Hamish Mitchell
Dartmoor hounds have an “ah Bisto” moment at the meet at Throwleigh earlier this season
Photo credit: Sarah Farnsworth
Knees tucked up: a Crawley & Horsham hound leaps a hunt rail in fine style during their opening meet from Knepp Castle
Scotia, a retired Lauderdale foxhound, is now enjoying an easy life by the Aga with five cats and two Jack Russell terriers for company
Photo credit: Amanda Friend
A very dirty and smelly South Tetcott Devon enjoys a moment on a stolen cushion during his earlier years
