Books

The grouping of dogs known as hounds includes some of the world’s oldest breeds. In many cases their origins date back thousands of years, with the earliest evidence of their existence coming from Egypt, where portrayals of hounds with a striking similarity to certain contemporary breeds have been noted on ancient artefacts.  Over the years, many new breeds of hound have been developed for a variety of purposes.  They have also been evolved to work in a wide range of landscapes, with some, such as the greyhound, being bred for their pace, while many, like the beagle and bloodhound, are valued for their scenting skills and stamina.

This book concentrates solely on this popular group of breeds, many of which are now widely kept as companion dogs because of their friendly and intelligent natures. It features superb photographs of hounds outdoors in their natural environments, as well as close0up portrayals of individual dogs.  All the photographs have been taken especially for this book.  The text adopts a chronological approach to its subject, explain the development of the hound lineage and the different types of hound that have been bred down the centuries. Mention is made of breeds that are now extinct, such as the original form of the St Hubert hound, and their legacy as reflected in contemporary breeds.  There is also detailed coverage of all today’s hound breeds, set in the context of their geographical origins.  Their ancestries and characteristics discussed, making this book an invaluable and comprehensive source of reference.

Hardback.