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Your full guide to what happens at puppy shows

27 May, 2025

It's that time of year again when hunts host their annual puppy show. Usually held at the hunt kennels, these are one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer hunting calendar, particularly for the puppy walkers who take great pride in seeing how their former residents have developed and settled back into kennel life.

Whether you’re attending for the first time, just curious about what happens, or have attended in the past and still find yourself questioning quite what the judges are looking for, we give you the low-down on what these special days entail.

You can download and print off our PDF guide to what the judges are looking for when judging beagles and foxhounds to hand out at your puppy show HERE.

What is a puppy show?

Puppy shows are traditionally held to express gratitude to those who have walked the young hound puppies and to showcase their hunting qualities.

Puppy walkers play a crucial role, providing the initial education for each hound after they’ve been weaned. This includes familiarising them with the sights and sounds of the countryside, teaching them right from wrong, and ensuring each hound learns its proper kennel name to ensure when they return to kennels.

Great pride is taken in a young hound’s education prior to it returning to kennels and the puppy show provides an opportunity for that hard work to be recognised.

Who is a puppy show for?

While the puppy walkers are the true stars of the show, the guest list varies from pack to pack, depending on the individual hunt’s traditions.

The list is usually more extensive than just the puppy walkers. Other attendees might include hunt committee members, event organisers, farmers, hosts of meets, subscribers, joint-masters, staff from other hunts, supporters of the hunt, members of the local press, local MPs and, in some cases, invitations are extended to rural crime teams.

Being invited to the puppy show is considered an honour. Packs that have a large country and subsequently more supporters sometimes numbers have to be restricted so are invitation-only. Many packs, however, host their puppy show as part of an annual open day at the kennels, where everyone is welcome.

If you would like to attend but aren’t aware of the invitation protocol, it might be worth reaching out to your local master to express your interest.

What should you wear if you’re invited?

There is no strict dress code, but as one of the most prominent events on the summer hunting calendar, most tend to dress smartly with one eye, as ever, on the weather forecast to ensure their choice is practical. Always dress appropriately for the weather, as you may find yourself standing for long periods and needing an extra layer.

Men typically opt for a suit or jacket with a tie. Many ladies wear dresses, some with hats too, although there is often a slightly less formal approach these days so don’t let deliberating over your choice of outfit become too time-consuming.

Hats are perfect for ladies and gentlemen alike to shade from the sun, but the focus should be on the hounds and so a hat worthy of a King’s Garden Party is not necessary. The male judges and members of hunt staff are usually easily recognisable by their bowler hats.

Most puppy show rings are situation on grass so bear that in mind when it comes to your choice of footwear, with high heels best avoided. Flat shoes, sturdy heels, or wedges are usually the order of the day. Dress appropriately for the weather, as you may find yourself standing for long periods and needing an extra layer.

How are the hounds judged, and by whom?

Typically, two judges are invited to assess the hounds: a Master of hounds and a professional huntsman, although this can vary.

Like horse judging, the judges evaluate the conformation of each hound, including their feet, shoulders, backs, and importantly, their overall movement.

Although some Masters judge foxhounds, beagles, harriers and basset hounds, the judges invited to judge the hounds tend to be particularly associated with the type of hound that they are judging, ie. a Master a pack of beagles would generally judge beagles, a Master of Foxhounds would usually be asked to judge foxhounds etc.

You can learn more about what the judges are looking for in A hound judging masterclass with hound breeding expert, Martin Scott - YouTube

How old are the hounds being judged?

Despite the term “puppy” being used, it is slightly misleading because they are not as young as the term suggests. The hounds presented for judging are generally around one year old, and they’re preparing to start their hunting careers during autumn hunting.

The hounds will normally have been born sometime between January and July of the previous year, with a few months’ age gap between litters. Judges will take these factors into account when assessing them.

Are puppy shows the same as hound shows?

Puppy shows are held by individual hunts where the young hounds judged are from the host pack. It is only the unentered hounds which are judged at a puppy show and not the older hounds that have started their hunting careers.

Hound shows are effectively inter-hunt competitions, where each hunt selects what they believe to be their best hounds to compete against hounds from other hunts. These hounds can be of any age and level of hunting experience, with classes for unentered hounds (the same age as those at the puppy show), but also for the entered (older) hounds which have already started their hunting careers.

What’s the schedule for the day?

Upon arrival, you may receive an “Order of draw” or a list of hounds, which outlines the order in which the hounds will be shown, as well as details about their breeding and, in some cases, the names of the puppy walkers.

The doghounds are typically judged first and are shown in pairs or small groups by the huntsman, allowing ample time for the judges to assess them each individually and thoroughly. Once all the doghounds have been reviewed, they’ll return to the ring for a final assessment. After the doghounds, the same process occurs for the bitch hounds.

Who trains the hounds to show?

Showing hounds is a skill in itself, and the hunt staff put in a lot of effort in the weeks leading up to the puppy show to ensure the hounds present themselves in the best possible light.

Don’t be surprised if you see the huntsman using dog biscuits to encourage the hounds to stand properly and showcase their movement to full effect.

What’s the proper etiquette during the judging?

First and foremost, arrive with enough time to settle in and find a seat before judging commences. The puppy show is often the first occasion many hunt supporters will have seen each other since the huntsmen blew for home on the last day of the previous season so there is always plenty of temptation to chat throughout proceedings but it’s encouraged that everyone tries to focus on the showing and judging aspect.

A fun activity is to try judging the hounds yourself and see if your choices match those of the judges. If you’re unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask someone nearby - they’re usually eager to share their knowledge.

Top tip: if you’re sitting near the edge of the ring, stay alert when the doghounds are close to the railings to prevent having to sit through the remainder of the judging with a wet leg!

What happens after the puppy show?

Once the judging concludes, there are often speeches and a prize-giving ceremony where awards are given to the puppy walkers of the winning hounds. Most packs also present a much-coveted engraved silver teaspoon to each puppy walker.

Typically, a sumptuous afternoon tea is typically laid on for after the show. This is usually held in a barn at the kennels or a marquee if available. Attendees are often encouraged to bring along sandwiches or cakes to share to keep costs to a minimum. It’s the perfect time to catch up with your hunting friends, talk to the judges and any visitors from other packs.

Do visit our stand at various hounds shows over the summer including at the South of England Hound Show (6-7 June), the Wales and Border Counties Hound Show (26 June) and the Festival of Hounds on 16 July. Further details of other events we will be attending can be found HERE.

Photo credit: Daniel Hague

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