I adore hounds and am lucky enough to live within a few miles of several packs. Their sound (music) is wonderful; just gets me right there This vid is a wonderful example of the control the Whipper-In has (and shows that the whip never connects with a hound) ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEEFHegTSAI
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny Charlie says he likes the look of the supper - but wouldn't want to share. I know the whip doesn't touch the dogs in this vid...but can't help wondering how they know to stay out of the way....
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny Young hounds learn from their elders. The term 'a couple' comes from the old method of linking a young hound by a shortish chain to an older more experienced hound so it can learn to hunt properly etc
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny I don't know a lot about this - I didn't pay much attention when I was involved in hunting (before my animal liberation front days - in the past now, before anyone gets alarmed!). So will do more research before discussion.
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny I'm not sure about this method, how on earth can the trainer be sure they are all getting enough food, some of those hounds looked skinny. I just googled this and there are some more youtube videos of hanging whole animals up for them to rip up. Not for me it looks outdated and uneccesary, and I bet that whip has made contact with the dogs for them all to stay away from the food horrible :'(
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny [quote author=charlie link=topic=4480.msg54728#msg54728 date=1392579343] I bet that whip has made contact with the dogs for them all to stay away from the food horrible :'( [/quote] I'm wondering....but it might just be the sound they are trained to...
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny In my experience I have never seen a whip connect with a hound in any way or heard of it happening. It is the crack noise that stops/alerts the hound just as the old trick of pebbles in a can thrown to grab attention in some methods of pet dog training. I can honestly say the Huntsman and Whipper-In and the Kennelman know each hound by name and nature. Surprisingly they all seem to get enough grub but the Staff would quickly notice a noneater, ill hound, or one being bullied. I have seen that rib-sticking look before in dogs gobbling as much as they can as quickly as they can. I truly am in awe of a pack of hounds and how they are kept - in some ways the most natural of methods there is. But, I accept some do not like field sports be-it shooting, hunting or fishing and each to their own ..... everyone is entitled to form their own opinions in life
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny I love hounds too they are gorgeous dogs but that feeding method is one step too far for me, but like you say MMM each to their own
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny It's only "each to his own" to a certain extent though, isn't it? Once public opinion, educated or not, grows, then laws and bans are imposed. I mean, that's why cruelty (to animals and humans) is (generally) illegal or unlawful, at least in this country. The debate about what is cruel can run and run of course...until it reaches the courts, I suppose. By this, I don't mean to suggest that MMM isn't completely correct in the description of training foxhounds, it's just a general point.
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny It looks as if they feed raw meat and kibble together with no problems.
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny I only really noticed towards the end, but they mostly looked like intact males. Would that be the case?
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny Yes - traditionally bitches and dogs would live in separate packs. I think it says a lot that that many entire males can cohabit almost totally peacefully and any snottiness disappears as fast as it starts.
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=4480.msg54806#msg54806 date=1392589791] I only really noticed towards the end, but they mostly looked like intact males. Would that be the case? [/quote] How on earth did you notice that Jac?
Re: The feeding of the hound pack at Château de Cheverny Umm...so were mine. Must say their behaviour during the whole event was hard to fault!