JUDGING THE AMERICAN FOXHOUND
By Mrs. Robert D. Smith
“THE VERY FIRST THING THAT AN AMERICAN FOXHOUND SHOULD EXUDE IS CLASS and that is told in his SYMMETRY.”
T he first widely recog- nized Standard for an “ideal” American Fox- hound was drawn up in 1894. Th e men writing the standard represented the di ff erent strains of Foxhounds—thus, compromise was necessary. Th e seven men were Roger D. Williams, W. S. Walker, W. C. Goodman, Hagan, W. Wade, H. C. Trigg and Dr. A. C. He ff enger. 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.”
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