Welsh Hound Breed History and Recognition

The Welsh Hound has a rich history dating back to ancient times. They were bred to hunt small game like rabbits and hares.

Their ancestors were brought to Britain by the Celts, who valued their keen sense of smell and energetic nature.

The breed was developed in Wales, where they were highly prized for their hunting ability and friendly temperament.

They were recognized by the Kennel Club in 1907 and by the American Kennel Club in 1933.

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The Welsh Hound has been around for two to three centuries, but despite its comparatively recent origins, there is debate over the exact nature of their heritage.

There are two main theories over the ancestry of the Welsh Hound, one involving the Celtic Hound, a dog that has been around in Wales since the 5th century.

The Celtic Hounds were crossed with a smooth-coated hound breed, possibly related to the St Hubert Hound.

These crosses were mated with English Staghounds, to create the breed we know as the Welsh Hound.

The Welsh Hound peaked in popularity in the 19th century, and their story mirrors that of fox hunting.

As the sport of fox hunting fell from favour and became illegal, so the numbers of this hound dwindled.

The ancient laws of Wales codified during the reign of Hywel Dda (942 – 948 AD) give the value of the Welsh Hound as 240 pence trained, 120 pence untrained.

By comparison, a sound pack horse was valued at the same time as 120 pence.

Organized Hunts have kept well-known packs of pure Welsh Hounds for nearly 200 years.

The Welsh Hound was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 2006.

The Welsh Hound is a robust fellow with a straight tail that is carried high but never curled. The tip of that tail provides a marker for the huntsmen to follow.

Related reading: German Shorthaired Pointer with Tail

Their chest is deep and the ribs are well sprung, making them well-suited for rigorous exercise. Their back is broad and level, with a slight rise over the strong loin.

They have a wiry, medium-length coat that provides protection against the bracken and gorse they may encounter when hunting. The most typical coat coloration is white with patches of either red, fawn, black, or tan.

The chest of a Welsh Hound is deep and the ribs are well sprung.

Their back is broad and level, with a slight rise over the strong loin.

The chest and ribcage combination allows for efficient breathing and exercise.

A deep chest also indicates a strong heart and healthy circulation.

This robust build is essential for a dog that travels fast over rugged terrain.

The overall physical build of a Welsh Hound is athletic and sturdy.

Their athletic build allows them to keep up with the demands of rigorous exercise.

Their sturdy build also makes them well-suited for withstanding rough conditions.

The physical characteristics of a Welsh Hound are a testament to their breeding and purpose.

The hind legs of this breed are well-boned down to the feet.

The hind legs have a moderate turn of stifle. This is a notable feature that can be observed in a physical examination.

The hocks are well let down, indicating a strong and sturdy rear leg structure.

This well-developed bone structure allows for efficient movement and support, which is essential for the breed's overall health and well-being.

Welsh Hounds are happiest living in an extended dog family, thriving in the company of other dogs and requiring constant social interaction.

They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

A typical Welsh Hound is a happy dog, largely accepting of their circumstances, as long as they get enough physical and mental activity.

They have a loud bark, which is a natural trait for a hunting breed, and are known to "talk" to their owners with various howls and barks.

Welsh Hounds are not aggressive, but can be stubborn at times, especially when on the trail of an interesting scent.

They require consistency and firm guidance to train, but are extremely loyal and gentle with small children and other animals.

The Welsh Hound is a social dog that thrives in the company of other dogs, making them a great fit for large dog households.

Their natural love of hunting means they tend to focus intently on a scent, which can make training a challenge, especially for inexperienced owners.

A Welsh Hound's loud bark is a key trait of the breed, used to communicate with their pack and huntsman during a hunt.

They are happiest when living as part of an extended family in a pack, and can become destructive or restless if left alone for too long without exercise and mental stimulation.

Their gentle nature makes them a great fit for families with small children, who will benefit from the Welsh Hound's tolerance and loyalty.

A key aspect of training a Welsh Hound is using reward-based obedience training, as they are intelligent but can be stubborn at times.

Related reading: Training Corgis

The Cardigan Corgi is a breed that stands out from the Pembroke Welsh Corgi with its distinctive brush-like tail and long body.

They have a rich history, thought to have originated in early 13th century Wales from the same ancestors that produced the Daschund and a Swedish Spitz-like dog.

Cardigan Corgis are intelligent and courageous, able to learn just about anything they're taught.

With their vigilant and somewhat territorial nature, it's essential to provide early socialisation and obedience training to help them thrive.

They have a strong work ethic, originally used to herd cattle, guard farms, and hunt small animals like rats.

The Welsh have always had an affinity with dogs, with tales of hunting hounds and ferocious beasts in Welsh mythology and folklore. These stories often feature dogs that are fiercely loyal to their masters.

The legend of Gelert, a faithful hound who made the ultimate sacrifice, is a well-known tale in Welsh culture. This story highlights the strong bond between dogs and their owners.

In ancient times, freemen in Wales were required to maintain the king's hunting dogs and horses during his tours. This shows how highly valued dogs were in Welsh society.

The Welsh sheepdog is perhaps the best-known Welsh breed, originally having a dual role to drive and move livestock, as well as protect the herdsman and his flock. This breed has a long history, with the long-haired greys used by drovers being almost extinct until the formation of the Welsh Sheepdog Society in 1997.

The famous corgis are also a Welsh breed, with two different types: the Pembrokeshire corgi and the Cardiganshire corgi. These tiny dogs were originally bred to drive cattle and other livestock by nipping at their heels and frightening them with their loud, shrill yapping.