There are two different types of hound that have been bred over several centuries for their working qualities related to the hare. They are the harrier and the beagle. Beagles stand between 14 and 16 inches and harriers stand up to 21 inches in height. The qualities of a working hound are:

• Scenting ability – 'nose'.
• Stamina - which depends on their conformation.
• Bidability - their willingness to work and live as a member of a pack in and out of kennels
• Steadiness - that they are permitted to hunt hares and not other quarry
• Intelligence - their ability to understand the wiles of the hare
• Voice - which is the sign that they are hunting a hare - and only a hare.

All hounds for hunting are bred in kennels and are registered annually by their name in their own Association Stud Book. Each hound is either ear-marked or 'chipped' so as to provide its positive identification. Hounds bred from those which are not recorded in the stud book may later be so recorded through an 'appendix' system.

The AMHB each year approves shows during the summer months at which registered hounds may be shown. They are judged for their conformation by approved judges.

The Harrier

Pendle Forest & Craven Panda ‘04
Stud Book Harrier Bitch Hound Champion & Best Harrier in show,
Peterborough 2008

Taunton Vale Hamlet ‘06B
West Country Harrier Champion Dog Hound,
Peterborough 2008

The Beagle

Old Berkeley Famous’02
Dog Hound Champion & Best Beagle in show, Peterborough 2008