Pure Dog Talk

Foxhounds, Fox Hunting and Dog Shows Dr. Robert Smith judging at Westminster Kennel Club. Two of the most revered and well-known all-breed judges in the American Kennel Club system, Dr. Bob and Polly Smith share their journey starting as breeder-owner-handlers in American Foxhounds. Polly was started by a Chow Chow breeder who tutored her for school. She showed her first dog at the National Capitol Kennel Club when she was 4 years old and won a blue ribbon. She was hooked from that moment. Bob had dogs all his life, eventually adopting a War Dog his brother brought back after WWII. Polly Smith "High Church" “A great mistake is made,” Polly said, “because of low entries at AKC shows, that American Foxhounds are considered a rare breed. There are thousands of Foxhounds out there. The pack hounds associated with horses and riding to the hounds are considered the 'High Church' of foxhounds. Many dogs also participate in Night Hunting and Field trials.” Many different “strains” make up the American Foxhound br