“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
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(Image credit: Sarah Farnsworth)
Focussed on the job in hand: one Tiverton Foxhound looks into the distance while others look on intently behind
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(Image credit: Deborah Kane)
Evening, a Four Shires Bloodhound does her puppies well under the heat lamp during the summer
We look at some spectacular greys — of varying shades — seen out on the hunting field
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(Image credit: Rosie Gunn)
Let sleeping dogs lie: A pile of traditional Old English Belvoir hound puppies in kennels last summer
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(Image 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
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(Image 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
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(Image credit: Hamish Mitchell)
Homeward bound at the end of the day for the Dulverton Farmers’ hounds following their meet near East Anstey on Exmoor
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(Image credit: Hamish Mitchell)
Dartmoor hounds have an “ah Bisto” moment at the meet at Throwleigh earlier this season
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(Image 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. "Life is good" explains Heather Runciman, who also walked Scotia as a puppy
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Scotia, a retired Lauderdale foxhound, is now enjoying an easy life by the Aga with five cats and two Jack Russell terriers for company
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(Image credit: Amanda Friend)
A very dirty and smelly South Tetcott Devon enjoys a moment on a stolen cushion during his earlier years
Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (26 November 2015), where we head out with the South Shropshire and the Dulverton Farmers
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Polly joined the Horse & Hound team in summer 2013. A former senior master of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase, her hunting knowledge and contacts are second to none. She left Horse & Hound at the end of 2016 to join The Hunting Office.
