General Info

What are they about?

Hound shows give hunts recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) an opportunity to show off their hounds, learn about what makes a quality hound, and to meet members of other hunts. Having hounds that show well and building relationships with fellow hunts are both important to hound breeding programs as maintaining healthy bloodlines (avoiding inbreeding) requires drafting in or breeding to hounds outside one’s own pack.  

How do you show a hound?

Attire: Handlers wear khaki pants, a white shirt with either a tie or a choker collar, a white show coat (looks like a lab coat), and a hunt cap. (Those who show English-bred hounds wear bowlers. FLH does not currently show any English-bred hounds.)

Handling Basics: Handlers will be expected to walk hounds on a leash around the perimeter of the show ring with the hound to the inside (where the judge can see it). The judge will typically then ask for entrants to stand along the outside while he or she calls a few hounds at a time up onto the board. Hounds should stand squarely on the board and whenever they are not moving. You never know when the judge may be watching! 

In addition to conformation, judges also evaluate how a hound moves. To do this, they typically ask handlers to remove the leash and toss cookies down the length of the board so that the hound runs after them.