PrintFrom a field of 66 outstanding candidates, eight exemplary foxhounds were selected as the best representatives of their breed at the Centennial Championship Hound Show, held on May 27 in Leesburg, Va.
The champion dogs and bitches in each breed category—American, Penn-Marydel, English and Crossbred—from each of the Foxhound Club of North America sanctioned hound shows across the nation came together in a memorable contest. They represented the crème de la crème of the breeding programs of recognized foxhunts on the continent.
According to Lynn Dillard, an officer with FCNA who chaired the event, “These are Centennial hounds and will represent what our generation of foxhunters consider to be the benchmark conformation of their breed of foxhounds. It is a snapshot in time.”
The FCNA is part of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, which hosted the Centennial events. “The show was open only to breed champions from the 10 sanctioned shows, so there was a potential for 80 hounds in the four divisions,” Dillard said.
Potomac’s American Hounds Prevail
The best of the best in the American division went to Potomac Hunt (Md.), which walked away with top honors for both dog and bitch. It highlighted a weekend where the Potomac Hounds seemed to outclass even themselves, a tribute to the persistence of the breeding program overseen by professional huntsman Larry Pitts.
Ring judge Cindy Martin (ex-MFH Los Altos Hounds [Calif.]) talked about the decision that was reached between John J. Carle II (ex-MFH Keswick Hunt [Va.]) and herself in awarding Potomac Jefferson ’05 (Potomac Rapidan ’99—their Jezebel ’00) and Jipsy ’01 (Potomac Warcloud ’96—their Jodi ’97) the coveted prizes.
“Jefferson is a very big American hound, which is a good thing,” Martin said. “He is a beautiful mover and his feet are flawless. His legs are very correct; he has reach in the front end and strength in the hind end. He shows himself very, very well—he’s got presence. He is very well put together.
“Jipsy shows her age and is not as lean but moves beautifully,” Martin continued. “Her feet are really good and tight and strong; no toes are starting to go after six seasons hunting and serving as a brood bitch.”
Martin emphasized that the judges were looking for conformation, which lends itself to longevity in a working hound. “Both Potomac hounds have tremendous size for American hounds, but not to the point you would mistake them for another breed. They have good size, good muscling, look athletic and move in an athletic way,” she said. “We looked at the six nicest American bitches in the world so you get to splitting hairs. It was exciting and lovely to see.”
“The American hound has made a lot of progress. Their feet are better than they were and it’s good that people are recognizing that the gene pool has really become small. We need to preserve this great line that’s out there by perpetuating and expanding the American gene pool,” Martin said.
The champion dogs and bitches in each breed category—American, Penn-Marydel, English and Crossbred—from each of the Foxhound Club of North America sanctioned hound shows across the nation came together in a memorable contest. They represented the crème de la crème of the breeding programs of recognized foxhunts on the continent.
According to Lynn Dillard, an officer with FCNA who chaired the event, “These are Centennial hounds and will represent what our generation of foxhunters consider to be the benchmark conformation of their breed of foxhounds. It is a snapshot in time.”
The FCNA is part of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, which hosted the Centennial events. “The show was open only to breed champions from the 10 sanctioned shows, so there was a potential for 80 hounds in the four divisions,” Dillard said.
Potomac’s American Hounds Prevail
The best of the best in the American division went to Potomac Hunt (Md.), which walked away with top honors for both dog and bitch. It highlighted a weekend where the Potomac Hounds seemed to outclass even themselves, a tribute to the persistence of the breeding program overseen by professional huntsman Larry Pitts.
Ring judge Cindy Martin (ex-MFH Los Altos Hounds [Calif.]) talked about the decision that was reached between John J. Carle II (ex-MFH Keswick Hunt [Va.]) and herself in awarding Potomac Jefferson ’05 (Potomac Rapidan ’99—their Jezebel ’00) and Jipsy ’01 (Potomac Warcloud ’96—their Jodi ’97) the coveted prizes.
“Jefferson is a very big American hound, which is a good thing,” Martin said. “He is a beautiful mover and his feet are flawless. His legs are very correct; he has reach in the front end and strength in the hind end. He shows himself very, very well—he’s got presence. He is very well put together.
“Jipsy shows her age and is not as lean but moves beautifully,” Martin continued. “Her feet are really good and tight and strong; no toes are starting to go after six seasons hunting and serving as a brood bitch.”
Martin emphasized that the judges were looking for conformation, which lends itself to longevity in a working hound. “Both Potomac hounds have tremendous size for American hounds, but not to the point you would mistake them for another breed. They have good size, good muscling, look athletic and move in an athletic way,” she said. “We looked at the six nicest American bitches in the world so you get to splitting hairs. It was exciting and lovely to see.”
“The American hound has made a lot of progress. Their feet are better than they were and it’s good that people are recognizing that the gene pool has really become small. We need to preserve this great line that’s out there by perpetuating and expanding the American gene pool,” Martin said.
