Meet Debit and Dervish. These affectionate, exuberant hound puppies live with their puppy walker Carolyn in an orchard in Hampshire.

They arrived at 8 weeks old and will spend most of their first year here, before they return to a local trail hunting pack, which, which numbers some 38 couple (76) drag hunting hounds.

Their puppy walker will ensure that they encounter a wide variety of people, children, horses and farm animals as well as cars, tractors. Although their destiny is pack life, hunting trails for the local hunt, this socialisation is a vital part of their development as a working hound. 

Carolyn explains some of the traditions of hound ownership and gives an insight into the local hunting community, at the centre of which are the hounds.

She explains to presenter Kate Fairweather how hounds like Debit and Dervish have been carefully bred to combine stamina and pace in equal measure to suit their country in the South Downs, and why they have the distinction of being one of the healthiest breeds in the canine world.

Do you work your dog or dogs and would consider coming on the show?

Get in touch with Kate Fairweather via team@shineradio.uk

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2021