THE BRAES OF DERWENT
(COLONEL COWEN’S).

“A CHECK”

THE BRAES OF DERWENT FOXHOUNDS.

One of the oldest packs of Hounds in the most northern parts of England is the “Braes of Derwent,” originally instituted as “Humble’s Hounds.” This pack was trencher fed, and it was organised and hunted by MR. HUMBLE, of Eltringham, either foxes or hares being quarry. Its district includes nearly the whole of the north west part of the County of Durham, and it possessed rights of country in Northumberland. After the death of MR. HUMBLE, the pack became known as the “Prudhoe Hounds,” and they were hunted by what would now be called a committee. Then some of the Prudhoe country was annexed by a new pack, “The Slaley.” The name of the pack was changed about forty years ago, and for a time it was known as the “Prudhoe and Derwent.” A portion of the pack was then taken by the late MR. WILLIAM COWEN, brother of the present master, and, about 1853-4, named the “Braes of Derwent Foxhounds,” the remainder being kept for Harehunting, and eventually becoming the “Newcastle and Gateshead Harriers.” For two or three years MR. COWEN took his Hounds for one week in each month in the season to Hesleyside, in Northumberland, and hunted there, the owner, MR. CHARLTON, thinking that that part of the country was not frequently enough visited by other Hounds. In 1868 the Hounds were taken by the present master, COL. JOHN A. COWEN, when this practice was discontinued.

COL. COWEN, before this, had, besides assisting his brother with the “Braes of Derwent,” hunted a pack of Beagles.

The original “Prudhoe Hounds” were crossed, and added to, by drafts from other kennels, and afterwards were crossed with COL. COWEN’S famous bloodhounds. In 1877 dumb madness broke out, and in 1878 the whole pack was destroyed. Within a few weeks the master had a sufficient number of Hounds sent from neighbouring kennels to start afresh. The Bloodhound cross was again introduced. These Hounds owe their rich tan colour to this. The voice was greatly improved—a valuable quality in the deep covers and large woods of the country.

COL. COWEN does not have his Hounds’ ears rounded, and hunts them with the full length of ear.