Sporting

But the quiet did not last long. As soon as I opened the car door, a few hounds sounded the alarm, baying loudly. The males quickly filled the large concrete Dog Yard, which was surrounded by an eight-foot-high chain-link fence—and the females, kept in a separate enclosure called the Bitch Yard, gave an even more boisterous welcome.

It was my first sight of American foxhounds, all in a pack, and it was unforgettable—spellbinding. And the sound! It was one that Sir Robert Brooke, who brought a pack of hounds to the Crown Colony from England in 1650, and George Washington, the most famous breeder of foxhounds in Virginia, would have recognized—earthy and airy, rustic and regal. It was hard to put one foot before the other to start down the gravel lane toward them. Such a raucous reception seemed to demand a more quiet approach—not out of fear of the animals, but out of respect for their colonial ancestry and their kind.

Because of their Anglo-colonial ancestral connection, American foxhounds are generally recognized as the first truly American canine breed. But what makes American foxhounds special is their unique character mix. Says Carey Shefte, whipper-in and field secretary for the Middleburg Hunt: “There is nothing quite like the intense drive, fantastic voice and wonderful work ethic of the American foxhound. Combine that with their sweet temperament and loyalty, and you have the ideal foxhunting hound.” Mrs. John Denegre, joint master of the Middleburg Hunt, agrees. “American foxhounds, Middleburg’s in particular, are incredibly dedicated to their job. They have a focused drive and desire to account for foxes. It may be surprising then that they make sweet and devoted companions and adapt easily to home life.” She would know—over the years Denegre has adopted six retired hounds, two of which are now living on her sofa.

Not all foxhunting packs are made up of American foxhounds. Some are comprised of purebred English foxhounds, and others are crossbreeds of American and English. But the American is the predominate breed at hunt clubs in this country—and have a special cachet in this state. “American foxhounds and foxhunting are as old as Virginia,” says Jeffrey Blue, the other joint master of the Middleburg Hunt. “They are woven into our history and the spirit of the Commonwealth. Even during the Civil War there were probably foxhunts going on around here.”