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THE NEWS HOUND Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

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One2One Wye Walkies

THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

Welcome to the Spring issue of ‘The News Hound’

(One2One Wye Walkies’ quarterly newsletter)

We’ve all watched our dogs enjoying a good sniff when out on their walks – be it

with nose pressed to the ground or raised in the air to detect and enjoy scents

wafting around them.

For centuries humans have utilised the extraordinary scenting skills of dogs to

hunt for our food, provide protection, search for people; and latterly to detect a

wide range of medical conditions.

In this issue of ‘The News Hound’ we’re focussing on various aspects of

recreational pursuits and fun training activities that employ the innate sense of

smell that makes dogs such a unique species. We are delighted to include a

special feature on the magnificent Coakham Bloodhounds; plus, details on a

variety of dog sports which include elements of scent work and some easy scent

games that you can play with your dog at home, alongside the regular seasonal

tips and quiz question. We do hope that you will find plenty of interest in this

newsletter and feel inspired to have a go at exploring your own dog’s fantastic

sense of smell.

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One2One Wye Walkies

THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

Introducing the awesome Coakham Bloodhounds

A day's hunting with the Coakham Bloodhounds usually means a good three hours in the saddle, with

the thrill of riding behind a driving pack of hounds, jumping a range of fences from huge hedges to

ditches and fixed timber. In the course of a day, the hunt will follow three to six ‘lines’, covering in

total between 10-20 miles. The country is usually walked with the landowners the week before a meet

to prepare the routes, trim hedges and build fences, but the field does not know the route hounds

will follow.

Founded in 1976, the Coakham

Bloodhounds hunt ‘the clean boot’

(unadulterated human scent left by a

man or woman running ahead of the

pack). Hunting with a pack of

bloodhounds is one of the least artificial

methods of hunting organised quarry.

The hounds hunt by scent alone, unlike

many other breeds of hounds that hunt

by sight. Meets are held each Sunday

from mid-October to the first Sunday in

May, with occasional mid-week bye-

days, by generous invitation of farmers

and landowners.

The quarry (usually two or three cross

country runners) play a major role in

the day's sport. Apart from being very

fit, they must know how the hounds

will hunt. The experienced Coakham

quarry also know how to throw the

hounds off their scent. They usually set

off 45 minutes before the hounds are

laid onto their trail and the field,

helping to maintain the excitement

and uncertainty of hunting a live

quarry.

There is usually a half hour break between each line to

allow the quarry to run the next and to give the

bloodhounds, horses and riders a chance to catch their

breath!

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THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

When the pack was first established, it

hunted with pure bred bloodhounds. But

it soon found that, whilst their ability to

follow the scent was without compare,

they lacked the speed across open

countryside and the enthusiasm to cope

with natural obstacles. The current pack

consists of bloodhounds crossbred to the

Dumfriesshire Foxhound, a unique out-

cross which has developed the ability of

the pack to follow a natural human scent

with voice, speed, agility and drive.

The earliest known ancestor of the bloodhound is most probably a Celtic beagle by the name of

Seguier. In the ninth century in France and Belgium this breed of hound was called the Saint Hubert

Hound. The name came from the monastery of Saint Hubert at Andain, where the robust Seguier had

been bred for over 1000 years. According to legend, Bishop Hubert was a keen huntsman, and

regularly hunted his hounds in the Ardennes. Buried on November 3rd, 825, in the monastery which

later took his name, Saint Hubert became the patron saint of hunting. Each season the Coakham

Bloodhounds endeavour to meet on this day, and the hounds are blessed before the day's hunting.

On the continent the pure line was gradually lost through cross breeding. In England, however, the

bloodhound survived as a breed and thrived in the wild English/Scottish borderlands. That

inhospitable and inaccessible terrain was inhabited by clans which were constantly engaged in bitter

disputes and feuds, protecting their property from rival clans, poachers and cattle thieves. All the

clans made good use of the robust, strong and indefatigable descendants of the Seguiers. The number

and importance of these bloodhounds was such that a special tax was levied and used for the upkeep

of the packs. Some of these hounds usually worked on a leash, 1.5 fathoms long and made from horse

hide, and were known as Lyme or Lyamhounds.

Other hounds which required more space in which to track the human scent were called

Sleuthhounds. These hounds gained a reputation for always getting their man, and when the pack

was put on the scent of a wounded person leaving a trail of blood, it was only a matter of time before

they were caught, which is how they eventually became known as bloodhounds.

The Coakham Bloodhounds (continued)

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The Coakham Bloodhounds (continued)

THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

200 years on, the enthusiasm with

which the hounds jump fences and

cross rivers in pursuit of the scent

often makes new followers fear for

the physical wellbeing of the human

quarry. But these days, when they

are finally caught, the most they

succumb to is chest high muddy

paws and big slobbery licks.

Puppy hounds join the pack as soon as the hunting season finishes in April, where they are coupled

to an older hound, so they learn the commands. The pack go out on road exercise every day in the

summer and when the puppies are sufficiently confident, they are allowed free. The hounds are

taken out with horses in August ready for puppy hunting at the end of the month. The pack start

with short hunts where the puppies follow the older hounds and soon learn to hunt. The official

hunting season starts in October and by then the puppies will be hunting fully.

In the past, the Coakham Bloodhounds were members of Sussex Search and Rescue and were called

out numerous times by the police to search for missing persons.

The hunt has now assumed entirely amateur status, funded and administered by the Committee

which also selects the Masters. The hunt country covers the South East of England, mainly the

counties of Kent, Surrey and East Sussex. It is registered with the Masters of Drag and Bloodhounds

Association.

If you’d like to see the Coakham Bloodhounds in action, check out the following video clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRa8T35BvDE

Material for this article has been reproduced by kind permission of Nic Wheeler, Huntsman

& Joint Master, Coakham Bloodhounds www.coakhambloodhounds.org.uk/

Photographs are reproduced by kind permission of Nigel Goddard www.nigelgoddard.co.uk

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Did you know?

There are several organised dog sports & activities which involve scent

work training. These include:

Field Trial & Working Gundogs

Exercises include dogs being tested for their game finding ability (using dummies), speed

and directness of the retrieve, and natural nose.

Competitive Obedience

Exercises include a scent discrimination test where the dog must find a cloth with the

handler’s scent on it from a line of 5 other blank (non-scented) cloths. In the most advanced

levels, 10 cloths can be set out in any pattern, where one has a decoy scent on it; and in the

highest level the dog must locate the cloth with the judges' scent on it, and multiple decoy

cloths may be used.

Working Trials

Originally based on training for police work, this is now a competitive sport. Exercises

include a nosework section in which the dog follows a track laid by a 'tracklayer' (who is a

stranger to the dog) walking a set pattern designed by the judge and identical for each dog.

As the dog follows the track it must seek out and recover articles placed along the track by

the tracklayer. The other component of nosework is a 'search' where the dog must search

for and retrieve articles placed in a marked area.

Full details on all these activities can be found on the Activities page of the

Kennel Club website - https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/activities/

THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

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Some easy scent games that all the family can play

with your dog

These scent-based games are a fun way to challenge your dog’s sense of smell while teaching them

new, useful skills. You’ll love seeing your dog sniffing away, putting that wonderful nose to good use.

Find the treat!

The simplest way to engage your dog’s sense of smell is to hide a treat, then allow them to find it. You

can use a release command like “go find it!” before allowing them to search. At first, you can make it

easy by allowing them to watch you hide the treat, then you can up the ante by having them stay in

another room and trying increasingly difficult hiding spots. Don’t increase the challenge too quickly,

though, because you don’t want your dog to get frustrated and give up. Use a high-odour treat like

liver bites to keep your dog engaged.

Pick a Hand

This game is also great for teaching impulse control. Place a treat in one of your hands, then put your

hands behind your back and switch the treat into your other hand. Then hold out your fists and let

your dog sniff. Wait for them to nose or paw at one of your hands, and then open your hand to reveal

the treat (or no treat!) As your dog gets good at this, you can wait for them to sit calmly before

opening your hand.

Cups Game

Your dog can use their eyes and ears to find treats in the Cup game. Place three identical cups upside

down on a flat surface and put a treat under one of them. Switch the cups around while your dog

watches. Then, challenge your dog to figure out which cup contains the treat. At first, you can allow

your dog to knock over the cups until they find the treat. To increase the challenge, wait for them to

nose one of the cups, then pick up their chosen cup to allow them to take the treat, or to see if they

chose the wrong cup. Then, reshuffle the cups.

Hide and Seek

Hide and seek is a fun game that teaches your dog a few important lessons. By having your dog stay

without being restrained while you hide, you’ll teach a strong stay. They’ll learn to use their nose to

find you. They’ll also develop a stronger recall, and will be more likely to come when called, even if

they can’t see you. Of course, you will do all the hiding while your dog seeks. You can teach this with

treats, though your dog will probably also enjoy the thrill of finding you. Offering your treats only

some of the time can make the game more exciting for them.

THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

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One2One Wye Walkies

THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

Seasonal tips

Plants that are toxic to dogs

Now Spring is here, our gardens and wider countryside are bursting into bloom. Naturally we

all want to enjoy being outside with our dogs, but certain plants are toxic to dogs if eaten.

Below is a list of some common plants which can be a hazard:

Azalea/Rhododendron:

Highly poisonous to cats and dogs,

even if just a few leaves are eaten.

Daffodil: All parts of the daffodil

are harmful. Dogs sometimes eat

the bulbs, but even a small bite

can kill a small animal. Even

drinking the water in which cut

daffodils have stood is potentially

hazardous.

Geranium: All parts of geraniums

are poisonous to both dogs and

cats. Also present in summer.

Hyacinth: The bulbs are poisonous

to both cats and dogs.

Iris and gladioli: All parts of these

are toxic, but the bulb is most

dangerous as it contains a higher

concentration of chemicals.

Ragwort: All parts of this plant are

poisonous, and even small doses

can be fatal to cats and dogs. Also

present in summer and autumn.

Rhubarb: Rhubarb leaves are

poisonous to dogs and cats,

whether they are cooked or raw.

Also present in summer.

Snowdrops: While all the plant is

toxic, usually the bulbs are most

toxic to pets. Also present in winter.

Tulip: The bulbs are the most toxic,

however all parts of the plant can be

toxic in large quantities.

Cherry laurel: This hedging plant is

often used in gardens and public

parks. Be careful how you dispose of

hedge cuttings as the most common

cause of dogs being poisoned by the

plant is from eating or chewing these

leaves.

Ivy: Dogs are more likely to eat ivy

than cats and it can cause poisoning.

Laburnum: All parts of this plant are

poisonous, but especially the seeds.

Even chewing and spitting out

laburnum bark or twigs can affect a

dog.

Oak: Leaves can be harmful to pets

if eaten.

Potato: The leaves on potatoes can

be toxic to cats and dogs. Raw, green

or sprouting potatoes can also be

harmful.

Tomato: Leaves and unripe fruit on

tomato plants are toxic to cats and

dogs.

Yew: Nearly all parts of the plant are

harmful, including dried clippings.

Ingesting a small amount of leaves

can kill a dog.

Information taken from

PDSA article -

https://www.pdsa.org.uk

/taking-care-of-your-

pet/looking-after-your-

pet/all-pets/poisonous-

plants

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One2One Wye Walkies

THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

Quiz question

What type of

hounds are these?

(track down the answer

on page 10)

Watch out for the Summer

issue of ‘The News Hound’!

(due for circulation on

Friday 28 June 2019)

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One2One Wye Walkies

THE NEWS HOUND

Newsletter/issue 9/Spring 2019

These hounds are Trailhounds, used in

the sport of Hound Trailing, they look

similar to foxhounds but are leaner in

build. They were originally bred from

foxhounds with other crosses to get a

faster hound with a good nose. Various

out-crosses were tried many years ago

before the present type evolved,

including pointer, harrier and

sheepdog. Nowadays, only a foxhound

is very occasionally bred with a

Trailhound. They are bred for stamina

and speed.

Hound Trailing is a sport which takes

place all over the Lake District between

April and October. It dates back over

200 years. Individual owners get their

hounds fit, then take them to race

meetings, which are held most days

throughout the summer. The hounds

run a circular route of up to 10 miles

over field and fell, following a strong

aniseed and paraffin scent. Owners and

spectators wait at the meet where bets

are laid on the outcome.

When their racing career comes to an

end, Trailhounds can go on to make

excellent family pets.

For more details about Hound Trailing, look

up the following websites:

http://www.houndtrailing.org.uk

https://borderhoundtrailing.co.uk/

To find out how to adopt a retired

Trailhound visit

http://www.trailhoundwelfare.org.uk/

Answer to quiz question