Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
Welsh Hound Association
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Welsh Hound Association was founded in 1922, under the presidency of Sir Edward Curre, for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Welsh Fox Hound as a specific British breed. Since its earliest days the Association has sought to define and maintain the breed by the registration of hounds in an official, published stud book. At first the Welsh Fox Hound was selected by type, rather than strictly by pedigree. However, by 1928, there was some controversy over the constitution and characteristics, particularly of cross-bred hounds, so proposals were made to amend the criteria for entry in the stud book. Since that time, greater consideration has been given to the ancestry of individual animals, in addition to the definitive qualities of a rough coat, stocky shape and persistence in the hunting field over rough terrain. A specially appointed inspection committee visits kennels in order to assess the suitability of hounds for registration in the stud book. The 1997 issue of the stud book contained over 900 entries for Welsh Hounds, all in hunting packs, and none as privately owned pets.
The breed is further promoted through the Association's annual show, which was originally integral to the main Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Show. However, since 1970 it has been a separate event, as part of the Wales and Border Counties Hound Show, held permanently at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society show ground at Builth Wells. Individual hunts arrange village shows where neighbouring packs compete against each other at a local level. Additional publicity for the Welsh Hound is sought by means of advertisements and by the publication of articles in relevant journals.
The officials of the Association comprise a president, vice-president, secretary, honorary secretary and treasurer, and executive committee. Previous committee members have included such influential figures as Lord David Davies of Llandinam. Annual general meetings are usually held during the Hound Show at Builth Wells.