Welsh Hound

Welsh Hound

Classification / standards UKC Scenthound breeds standard

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Welsh Hound (Welsh: Bytheiad or Ci Hela Cymreig) is a breed of hunting dog of the foxhound type, indigenous to Wales.

History

The Welsh Hound is a native breed to the British Isles, and could possibly be the Segussi breed of rough coated hound which existed in northern Europe in Roman times. From medieval times through the early part of the twentieth century, the bards, who had always held a special place in Welsh society, sang odes to the hounds, often naming individual hounds, and praising their qualities. "The ancient laws of Wales codified during the reign of Hywel Dda (942 – 948 AD) give the value of the Welsh Hound as 240 pence trained, 120 pence untrained. By comparison a sound pack horse was valued at the same time as 120 pence."^[1]

Temperament

The Welsh Hound has been kept as a hunting dog for two thousand years, living and hunting in packs. It is adapted to hunting in rocky and mountainous terrain in its native Wales. It has been bred to hunt amid the Welsh for it's speed, stamina and vocalizations. It is still used for drag hunting today. Welsh Hounds are expected to be immediately responsive to the huntsman's voice but learn commands from the responses and cues of the pack. They are known to 'talk' to the huntsman with various howls and barks signalling the progress of the hunt. While gentle and friendly, they do not make good house pets. They are hard to train and will always hunt and roam from around 6 months old. As pack animals they dislike being alone and will do anything it takes to rejoin their pack if separated.

Breed recognition

The Welsh Hound is registered with The Welsh Hound Association, which has been keeping the breed's stud book since 1922, and maintaining the breed as purebred since 1928. The association was formed "for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Welsh Fox Hound as a specific British breed".^[2] The Welsh Hound was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 2006.^[3]

Since the outlawing of hunting with dogs in Great Britain, various clubs have been offering registration for the Welsh Hound as a rare breed pet.

Appearance

Coat is hard and wiry, red with white patches. Similar in appearance to the (English) Foxhound. Height : 24 in/61 cm Weight : 75 lb/34 kg.^[4]

See also

• Foxhound

References

2. "Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru - National Library of Wales". nlw.org.uk.
3. "United Kennel Club: Welsh Hound". Ukcdogs.com. 2006-01-01. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
4. Dogs Of All Nations (1915, San Francisco), by Walter Esplin Mason, p. 35