Hickory Creek Hunt
HCH Hounds


Informal April Roading
We were so cold we didn't notice how green and pretty everything looked.

HCH maintains a pack of approximately 20 couple of American and Crossbred hounds at its kennel in Boyd, Texas. As are hounds everywhere, HCH hounds are bred for the country and the game. In Texas we need a good cold-nosed hound to pick up the scent in our hot, dry climate. We need speed to keep up with coyote and durability to stand up to the terrain. American and Crossbred hounds answer our needs. 

The breeding program is one of the most important undertakings of the Hunt. The objects are always to improve the pack, do credit to the breed, and to preserve the venerable bloodlines that modern foxhounds represent. These bloodlines are carefully studied and foxhounds are watched closely in fall and winter for performance in the field. During the spring and summer, foxhound shows are held around the country allowing foxhunters to compare their best hounds. As a result, pairings between hunts are often arranged to create new outcrosses and consolidate old lines, always with the hope that something wonderful in the way of a foxhound will result. Members of a litter bear names with the same first letter, usually the first letter of the name of either the sire or dam. This helps sort them out, both in the kennel and in the field. Since 2002, HCH has been naming the litters for Texas counties.

Foxhounds are counted in couples, or two at a time. A couple is composed of any two hounds at any time regardless of sex, relationship or friendship. The pack is usually of mixed sex, although same sex packs are hunted. A female hound is called a bitch, a male hound is called a dog, and the young are called puppies.

Foxhounds often make good pets. They are gentle, affectionate and learn quickly to value family life. Hounds that have grown too old to hunt and hounds that do not fit into the pack are available for adoption from time to time. Contact the Master.
 
2007 Litter
C-Hounds (C-Monsters)
The puppies are American foxhounds named for Texas counties with the initial letter C. 
They will enter hunting in 2008.

New born in May
 

Resting in a crate in July
 
   
BLANCO FLOATS AWAY WITH MASTERS’ CUP (BEST OF SHOW)
-April 2005-

“I love the way this hound moves! He floats!” declared judge Charles Fletcher at the 20th annual Southwest Hound Show produced by Cloudline hounds and held near Celeste, Texas April 16. Seldom does an unentered hound dominate a show, but from the time Blanco trotted through the gate for his first class until he stood before the official photographer with the Masters’ Cup, he was clearly a champion. 

Blanco (Cloudline Bogie 00-Hickory Creek Aspen 00) is a tall, big boned youngster with a lot of American refinement for a Crossbred. And what a mover! The judge is right. He floats. His beautifully sloped shoulder frees up his forehand, the wheel of his back lets him step under himself, and his powerful quarters provide the power. 

Unentered hounds usually lack presence and are loose cannons in the ring. But at nine months Blanco deports himself with quiet dignity for honorary huntsman Christina Dunmore. He stands with the grace and aplomb of an old hand and already he has the look of eagles. That and his color, white with some pale shading and pale, speckled ears, give him a medieval air. We can’t wait to see him grow up! 

We like to go on about relatives in these articles, so say Bogie, seen in American stallion hound, is a good solid American type, hard on the coyotes in Cloudline country. His dam Jade 97 (Cloudline Rambo 95-Their Jigger 90) is an asset in the field and well-proved brood bitch. For example, Jeckles 02 (Cloudline Windsock 96-Jade) took the blue in Crossbred bitch. Of Jeckles, Susan Gentry, MFH and huntsman said, “She is the best hunting female I have. If I could take only one, I’d take her.” 

Blanco’s dam Aspen (Hickory Creek Willoughby 97-Their Acorn 94) is a front running hunter, determined and honest. From her sire’s side comes good looks and structure and from her dam’s comes the drive. Acorn (Midland Nailer 88-Misty River Absolute 89) was seen to fly five strands of barbed wire on a run. She was fast and relentless, pale-colored, and had that medieval look, too. Misty River MFH and huntsman Dina Del Guercio watched Blanco closely, then asked Dunmore if he was related to Acorn. “I thought so!” she said, remembering good hounds of her own with that blood. 

A glance at Blanco’s pedigree shows him ¾ American, accounting for his elegance, but we think that good Midland and Misty River Crossbred blood is going to give him some bottom when it comes to coyotes. Happy with anticipation, huntsman Dumore says, “We’ll get him out there and we’ll see what he can do.” Out there is thousands of acres of western Cross Timbers north and west of Fort Worth, rugged, wooded and full of game, including plenty of white tailed deer and feral hog to test a hound’s honesty. It is no country for sissies. It is, however, wonderful country for a day out on horseback, behind hounds, enjoying some of the best outdoors these United States have to offer. 

“We went to the hound show with an open mind and a small collection of what we thought were our best hounds,” said MFH Mary Ann Radley. “Chrissie and I never thought about winning. We went to do the best job we could and come home. Then when I saw Blanco walk into the ring I knew he was as good as anything there. I am proud of him, and of Chrissie.”
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