English Foxhound

[tdierikx]

Rupert is still with our rescue, and there are some very wonderful Foxhound breeders trying to help us find the right home for him. He's a little hyper and untrained, so he's getting lots of love and attention from everyone at the rescue, and is making good progress towards the "good boy" inside that bouncy untrained big puppy... *grin*

If anyone familiar with Foxhounds knows of an experienced home for him, please feel free to call NSW Animal Rescue (website address has the phone number www.nswar.org.au )

T.

[Snowysal]

I have only just become aware of this thread.My family bred hounds for manyy years - we used to have up to 20 pair. We had a hunt club - the Bythorn Hunt on the outskirts of Sydney. There are DOLers who remember them.

Sadly those days have passed, along with my parents and the last of the hounds died a peaceful death here at Bythorn snoozing in the shade of a tree overlooking the valley about 5 years ago.he had by that time become a house dog - Old Sargeant - testament to the breeding, my parents named each litter from the alphabet - the first litter were Ajax,Atlas etc etc.

It all started in my early teens - the whole family hunted with the Sydney Hunt Club (I think they may still exist and have experienced Hound people who maybe able to help you) and Mum na dad were presented with a gorgeous hound pup we called Harvey. he was loved by all and became the foundation of their pack. he was a huge strong dog with a wonderful nature.

On the up side. They are easy going , a bit dopey, friendly, loving, animated social animals.

On the down side - hard to train (focus) and all training goes straight out the door when overpowered by the ever present scent instinct. I ve seen them just bolt on a scent regardless of anything and everything.

This can cause problems with them as house dogs because their sense of smell is so very much more acute then most dogs - so they can be destructive to get to what they want.

I have so many memories of our hounds and packs belonging to friends. I can still remember taking 3 on leads in the old Sydney showground after being shown, back to the truck so they could go home - I must have been about 14 I think - I had absolutely no control - they were so strong, my dad was following with another 4 and the owner (my dads bestie) had another 4 - fortunately all hounds knew where they were going and wanted to get there and get the hell out of that crazy alien place and back to the kennels but gee what a ride lol.

I believe SA still has hunt clubs (and therefore hound experienced people) as well - I will email a few people tomorrow and see if anyone has any ideas from my old connections.

Where exactly is this fellow, his age etc.

[tdierikx]

Thanks heaps Snowysal... Rupert is currently in rescue in South West Sydney. There is a Foxhound breeder nearby who has come out and identified him and who he most likely was bred by... unfortunately his original breeder doesn't seem too interested in him - but the breeder we are in contact with is also trying to help find him a home. His age is around 12 months apparently.

He is a big dopey sooky lala... but he is definitely ruled by his nose... *grin*

Any tips to get him to be a little more responsive would be gratefully accepted - although I suspect that once he's fully settled about his new surroundings, we should see some quick results - he really is quite play focused...

T.

[RugerRun]

train him with one of the things that they love besides running after a scent - FOOD!!!! You have to be quite firm but not over aggressive, and it is repetition, repetition repetition. And as Snowysal said if there is a scent - dont bother.

As a house dog they can either be great or a pain - my boys are happy to come in and sit on the couch for hours but my girl will counter surf and get into bins non stop. they will definately take a spot in the family ranks and will think that they are entitled to come in when ever!

Sydney hunt club is still going and I if I had the room I would of loved to take him in but I am currently trying to place two hounds at the mo. Please keep us all updated on how Rupert is going!

[tdierikx]

Thanks heaps for the advice RugerRun... I have some very yummy smelling dried lamb liver here that we can use to try to get Rupert's undivided attention... I'll certainly see how he likes it when I'm at the rescue property at the weekend...

He really is just a big lovey puppy - totally up for cuddles... *grin*

T.

[Snowysal]

They are devine pups - Ill never forget how they can turn to molten lava with affection ,Ive seen Harvey (and too many others) literally drip off the lounge in the evening, Ive also see the grown dogs fight and believe me - they can be killing machines if not properly socialised and given plenty of (what I call) brain food - entertainment and interest.

I would dread to see one shut and left in a city back yard.

[tdierikx]

Our boy had found himself in a rural pound on the outskirts of Sydney, and apart from being somewhat underweight and obviously no obedience training, he's a very sweet boy. Shows no aggression to other dogs, and loves a good cuddle. Apparently he is pure, and we have identification from a breeder who believes they know who his mum and dad are. Unfortunately the litter wasn't registered with the CC, nor were they microchipped before rehoming... grrr!

T.