Scenthound Day

		For the first time ever we held a Scenthound Day June 2003 and hope to repeat it for July 2004 (ring for details). It was designed to find out how well working hounds can fit into family life. This was open to all trailhounds, foxhounds, beagles and bassets, and we also had one otterhound.
		Having homed over a 100 hounds we wanted a day of fun and also information through a questionaire. It was a wonderful day but due to limited car-parking at the centre we could only have a maximum of 50 dogs. So the invites went out and the first to respond got their places.
		Peter Wilson came down from Cumbria where he runs the Trailhound Trust. Eileen who helps Peter with the trailhounds - and more recently foxhounds - came down from Lancashire. She stayed with Ann and John in Hemsby who have 3 trailhounds. There was also Sue from Worcestershire who helps transport the dogs to Norfolk and who also started the Trailhound Trust website.
		The day was a dog show with the usual classes - Best Dog, Bitch, Veteran, Trio, Pair, Trick, Waggiest Tail, and so on. Overal best in show was Patsy owned by Mrs Bullen, and reserve went to Clover owned by Kay Mellon.
		There were a few stalls, tombola etc., an information tent and of course plenty of refreshments. The sun shone for the most part, interupted once by a shower. Many of the hounds were let off lead together in one of the paddocks - it was lovely to see them having so much fun. There was also no need to worry about our cats, chickens and other livestock that roam around the rescue centre free since these dogs are seldom aggressive.
		Results of the survey
		All of the trailhounds lived happily with cats and children
		86% had no problems with house training
		81% of dogs were good off-lead
		96% of dogs were OK to be left
		All the dogs travelled well and loved the car
		For more on the background of Hound Trailing see:
		Plight of the Trailhounds