Overview
The Buckhound was an English pack hound bred to hunt buck, the smaller fallow deer. It hunted by both sight and scent, and the emphasis was on a fast, exciting chase rather than a slow trail.
The breed vanished when the Royal Buckhounds were disbanded and buck hunting gave way to stag hunting.
History
Deer hunting in England separated by quarry from the Middle Ages, with Staghounds for red deer and Buckhounds for fallow deer. The Royal Buckhounds pack was established in the reign of Edward III, and the Master of the Buckhounds was a royal office.
As deer grew scarce, hunts used carted deer that were released and recaptured. Criticism of the sport grew in the 19th century, and in 1901 Edward VII dissolved the pack, after which the type died out.
Appearance
Similar to the Harrier but taller than that hound, and lighter than the Staghound. A period description calls it tall and loose-framed with a well-formed head and large, unrounded ears, and a yellow pied colour with spots.
Temperament
A fast, driven pack hound with strong prey drive, bred to work in company rather than alone.
