Page 262 - Showsight April 2013

JUDGING THE
AMERICAN FOXHOUND
By Mrs. Robert D. Smith
The first widely recog-
nized Standard for an
“ideal” American Fox-
hound was drawn up in
1894. The men writing
the standard represented
the different strains of Foxhounds—thus,
compromise was necessary. The seven men
were Roger D. Williams, W. S. Walker, W.
C. Goodman, Hagan, W. Wade, H. C.
Trigg and Dr. A. C. Heffenger. Until that
time the American hounds were judged
under the English Foxhound Standard.
The very first thing that an American
Foxhound should exude is CLASS and
that is told in his SYMMETRY. At a
meeting of the club held on January 18,
1905, it was voted to call for that type
of hound which shows “class” meaning
the highest percentage of conformation
needed in Foxhounds for field use in
America.
An article published in The Sports-
man Review October 1913 issue says
it best, “The high type of the Ameri-
can Foxhound considered ideal by the
American Foxhound Club has a phy-
sique and characteristics all its own.”
This is still true and should be the basis
for judging the hound today.
Symmetry as used in hounds
means the following: the form of the
hound must be harmonious through-
out. He must show his blood quality
and hound character in every respect
and movement.
When viewing the hound in profile
check BALANCE—the parts must be
smooth and harmonious. The hound
should be in hard muscle and well con-
ditioned. Always remember the outward
quality denotes the nervous energy
within. With the hound well-propor-
tioned, symmetrical, CHEERFUL, in
good condition and moving true and
lightly with springiness to his gait, we
can study the details and fine points.
The head should be balanced with
the body. The muzzle should be about
the same length as the distance from the
stop to the “inion.” You do not want a
“‘The high type of the American Foxhound considered ideal by the
American Foxhound Club has a physique and characteristics all its own.’
THIs Is sTIll TRUE AND sHOUlD bE THE bAsIs FOR
JUDGING THE HOUND TODAy.”
“THE vERy FIRsT
THING THAT AN
AMERICAN FOXHOUND
sHOUlD EXUDE Is
ClAss
and that is told in his
SYMMETRY.”
262 • ShowSight Magazine, April 2013