Saint Hubert Hound
The Saint Hubert Hound was the direct ancestor to the modern Bloodhound. Indeed, it is still known by this name in some countries, particularly France, where it is known as the Chien de Saint Hubert. However, it is accepted by most experts that the Saint Hubert Hound was extinct by the 1800s, the last of their line likely perished in the French Revolution.
Saint Hubert Hounds were kept and bred by monks in an Abby located in the Ardennes of the same name. It is believed they date back to the 7th century, and were highly prized throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. There are no written records of where the Saint Hubert Hounds themselves originated. Several theories persist, perhaps the most repeated that they descend from dogs returning with former crusaders from the Holy Land. This seems unlikely, as the Abby and their dogs existed before the First Crusade and no dogs from that region resemble the Saint Hubert Hound or the modern Bloodhound. It seems more logical that the Saint Hubert Hound was developed from local French hounds, with foreign blood added at different times throughout the centuries.
For centuries the Monastery sent hounds to the King of France each year. Some kings used them almost exclusively, while others not at all. Whether or not French hounds were the root stock of the Saint Hubert Hound, it certainly influenced the former. Today the Saint Hubert Hound lives on, not only in name, but in the bloodline of many scenthounds around the world.
Saint Hubert Hounds were kept and bred by monks in an Abby located in the Ardennes of the same name. It is believed they date back to the 7th century, and were highly prized throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. There are no written records of where the Saint Hubert Hounds themselves originated. Several theories persist, perhaps the most repeated that they descend from dogs returning with former crusaders from the Holy Land. This seems unlikely, as the Abby and their dogs existed before the First Crusade and no dogs from that region resemble the Saint Hubert Hound or the modern Bloodhound. It seems more logical that the Saint Hubert Hound was developed from local French hounds, with foreign blood added at different times throughout the centuries.
For centuries the Monastery sent hounds to the King of France each year. Some kings used them almost exclusively, while others not at all. Whether or not French hounds were the root stock of the Saint Hubert Hound, it certainly influenced the former. Today the Saint Hubert Hound lives on, not only in name, but in the bloodline of many scenthounds around the world.
Saint Hubert Hound Facts
- large, heavy scenthound
- said to have had many colors, not just black and tan
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