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Fox Hunting or Riding to Hounds, in its present form, takes place in many countries all over the World. However, as with most sports, it has developed over the centuries to be what it is today.
Known as venery, the use of scent hounds to track prey dates way back to Assyrian, Babylonian, and also ancient Egyptian times.
It was in ancient Britain, using the Agassaei breed of dog that fox hunting was really popular, taking place before the Romans even arrived. Later, the Romans brought over the Castorian and Fulpine breed of hounds, as well as the brown hare and several species of deer to use as quarry. Wild boar was also known as a hunted animal.
Norman hunting traditions began when William the Conqueror arrived in England, using Gascon and Talbot hounds. The cry of 'tally ho' derived from the French 'il est haut,' meaning he is up.
The earliest chronicled attempt to use hounds to hunt a fox was in 1534 when a farmer in Norfolk, England used his dogs to try catching a fox which had been killing his chickens.
During the 17th and 18th centuries organized packs of hounds were developed to hunt hares and foxes.
Today, as well as countries with British roots, other countries influenced by the Greeks and Romans also have a tradition of fox hunting using hounds. For example, both France and Italy continue to enjoy the sport of...Riding to Hounds.
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