Bloodhounds and the “Clean Boot”: A Revival on the Rise
Bloodhounds possess the most powerful scenting ability of any domestic breed. Their long ears, loose skin, and deliberate pace help them settle into the line and hold it under all sorts of weather and ground conditions. Clean-boot work showcases their talents at their purest.
Many puppies show their inherited gift astonishingly early, and by five or six months are ready for the rudiments of training. Often they will have already “hunted” their owners about the place—coming up either to stand off and bay, or to nuzzle in for attention. Unlike the foxhound, whose music on the line is one of hunting’s great joys, bloodhounds vary: the hound that eventually bays his quarry often runs mute, while the one that gives tongue may come straight in to be fondled by the runner. Both styles have their adherents, and both have their place within this distinctive sport.
How It Works
Clean-boot hunting, is the sport of following a human runner—known as the quarry—using bloodhounds working on a natural, untainted scent. The term “clean boot” simply means the runner lays no artificial trail and carries no scent aids; the hounds follow only the true human footprint and body scent left on the ground and vegetation. A runner sets off across country, typically with a timed start. After an agreed interval—which in the past has been up to one or two hours—the hounds are laid on.
They work the line exactly as they find it, using their exceptional nose and patience to unravel every twist, turn, and drift of scent. The aim is for the hounds to locate and “bay” the quarry, who stands still to greet them.
What Makes It Appealing
- Sporting fairness: the quarry chooses a route, pace, and distance that can challenge hounds and riders alike.
- Thrilling country: the run often crosses varied terrain—pasture, lanes, woods, and hills—without needing fox or hare.
Notable Masters of the Clean-Boot Packs
The Marquis of Ailesbury
As Earl of Cardigan, he kept bloodhounds at Savernake and later served as President of the Association of Bloodhound Breeders. His long-standing support gave the sport both prestige and continuity.
Lieut.-Col. J. A. Roberts (Trelill, Cornwall)
Formerly Master of the Trethill Harriers and later the East Cornwall Foxhounds, Col. Roberts turned to bloodhounds when hare numbers dwindled. His energy, horsemanship, and keen eye for a worker quickly made him one of the modern sport’s most influential figures. Col. Roberts for many years as Master of the Trethill Harriers and later the East Cornwall Foxhounds, Over the same country he once hunted fox and hare, he had spirited days following either a single hound or a small pack over the “clean boot.”
Capt. A. S. Williams
A distinguished exhibitor and huntsman, Capt. Williams’s Hambrook hounds were consistently successful at trials. His Herald of Hambrook became one of the sport’s most admired competitors of his day.
Mrs. Sadler (Barchester Kennels)
A highly respected breeder whose Barchester hounds excelled both on the flags and on the line. Her kennel produced several influential bloodhounds known for their drive, steadiness, and clean-working nose.
Mrs Oliphant
Another highly respected breeder kept a kennel of 15 couples and firmly believed in hunting them as a pack as her experiments had shown that the rivalry of the pack ensures that each hound docs his best to cast and recover quickly when checked, to hunt and persevere when scent was bad.
Notable Bloodhounds
Herald of Hambrook
Bred and handled by Capt. A. S. Williams, Herald was a standout performer at Winchester, winning Stake I for single hounds on the hour line. His level-headed brilliance made him a model for the modern working bloodhound.
Vida
Bred by Mr. Thornton and taken on by Col. Roberts, Vida placed second at Winchester and also took the prize for best novice hound. Her performance in fierce weather marked her as a rising star.
Ledburn Bargain
From Mrs. Edmunds’ Leighton Buzzard kennel. Bargain was admired for his determination on a drifting, weather-beaten line.
Towers of Barchester
A litter-brother to the celebrated Henry of Barchester. His combination of patience, accuracy, and exceptional nose made him one of the most reliable hounds of his generation.
Mournful
Mr. Hall’s Mournful was a consistent trial performer, placing second behind Towers. True to his name in voice but anything but melancholy in manner, he was known for steady pace and solid line-holding.
A Distinctive Finale
Unlike foxhunting, the conclusion is entirely non-violent: the hounds either bay their quarry at a respectful distance or run in to be fondled, depending on the hound’s style and training. The pleasure is in the work, the line, and the triumph
A Short History of How bloodhound hunting found its modern footing
Medieval Roots
Bloodhounds have tracked human scent since the Middle Ages, when they were valued for following fugitives, outlaws, and lost travellers. Their reputation for working a “clean” human line—without blood or drag-scent—was already well established.
19th-Century Sporting Revival
The shift from utilitarian tracking to organised sport took shape in the 1800s. A handful of country gentlemen began keeping small groups of bloodhounds specifically to hunt human runners for the challenge of the pure scent. These early experiments laid the groundwork for today’s clean-boot packs.
Edwardian Expansion
The sport’s real flowering came in the early 20th century. Packs sprang up on the downs and grasslands of southern England and the Midlands, often kept by enthusiastic amateurs or regimental officers. Their meets were informal but spirited, with long-distance runners providing a stern yet sporting test for the hounds.
Interwar Consolidation
Between the wars, clean-boot hunting gathered committed supporters. The Association of Bloodhound Breeders and field trials such as those at Chilcombe created standards of excellence in both breeding and work. Several Masters of foxhounds or harriers—faced with dwindling hare populations or changing countryside—turned to bloodhounds to keep hound-work alive.
Post-War Survival and Renewal
Though many packs faded during the Second World War, the sport endured thanks to a core of dedicated breeders and enthusiasts. The post-war years saw new owners taking up clean-boot hounds, often in regions where foxhunting was impractical but the appetite for hound work remained keen.
Today’s Tradition
Modern clean-boot packs continue that lineage enthusiastic kennels preserving a centuries-old skill. They stand as living proof that the bloodhound’s extraordinary nose—and the pleasure of following a natural human line across open country—remain as compelling now as ever.
Draghound and Bloodhound Hound Show 2016 Results
