Hounds - History

Hounds have been kennelled at Badminton since 1640 but the pedigree records have only been kept up since the mid 1700's. The furthest back an individual hound can be traced generation for generation is 1743,  approximately 59 generations in all. This makes the foxhound one of - if not the - most chronicled animal in the world today. During this time they have been systematically bred for the sole purpose of hunting the fox, although since 2005 now a trail with an emphasis on nose,stamina, and character.

All the puppies bred at Badminton are put out to walk on farms at 6-8 weeks and some of the puppy walkers are the 3rd and 4th generation of families to do so. The fact that they live with a family for their formative months helps bring out their genetic friendliness. Anyone who has visited a kennel or seen hounds at a show surrounded by children can vouch for this.

Hounds are the most magical animals to work with. The Beaufort Hounds are also famous for their conformation - in particular their size and quality. They win prizes at all major hound shows and their blood lines are in demand in many other kennels in this country as well as America,Canada, Australia and Europe. Their consistent size and quality owes much to the fact that they have been bred by one family since their inception, and to the selective breeding programme carried out by 'Master' the 10th Duke for sixty years. He controversially introduced a Welsh outcross in the 1930's through a Brecon Bitch Petrel `32, now one of the strongest female lines in the Kennel. More recently there have been a number of Welsh outcrosses, in particular Plâs Machynlleth Miller `63, through New Forest Medyg `69, an outcross which produced a famous stallion hound and Peterborough Champion Duke of Beaufort's Monmouth `77. When Captain Ian Farquhar arrived from the Bicester in 1985, he brought bloodlines lines from another Welsh outcross with him that of  Vale of Clettwr Fairy `73 whose progeny was passed down predominantly in the Beaufort Kennel through Bicester Farrier `84 , who also had the New Forest Medyg line. The Welsh blood was added to again by usinga stallion hound from the famous David Davies Welsh pack, Bouncer `94 a line that produced outstanding quality hounds such as Bailey 2003 one of the most influential dogs of his era, winning Peterborough himself and siring at the Beaufort alone 4 more Peterborough Champions stamping his progeny with size and class as well as ability. Bombardier one of his sons became the first rough coated dog to win the championship at Peterborough.  Halifax `06 another Peterborough champion (by Bailey) has also been a prolific sire who through his dam Fanfare`01 had the best of the Midland Hardaway (USA) blood.

In 2004 renowned hound judge Martin Scott wrote:
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"In 2004 the Duke of Beaufort's celebrated its 50th Peterborough championship win. This quite some feat especially when the nearest rival is the Heythrop with just 27 champions over that time since 1887. Being champion does not necessarily mean they are the best working hound, but it does mean that the judges at the time considered them the best looking hound. However, it is has always been Capt Farquhar's breeding policy to breed from only the best workers."