The ancient sport of hound trailing in Cumbria
Helen Mark visits Cumbria to watch the exciting sport of hound trailing. The May Day races are about to begin, and Helen meets owners and dogs who are keyed up for the event.
Helen Mark visits Cumbria to watch the exciting and ancient sport of hound trailing. At the May Day races, she meets owners Wendy and Russell Dawson who treat their dogs like royalty. Cared for like athletes, they eat chicken and rabbit, and are bathed before a race. They are trained from pups to follow a scent, but it's a gamble if any will have the instincts of a champion.
Helen walks the trail, which is scented with aniseed and paraffin, and meets owner Margaret Baxter who explains why this traditional male sport is now dominated by women. The actual races can be up to 10 miles long, which the dogs run in about 35 minutes, and from high up on Kirkstone Pass, the owners and followers watch - and place bets - as the dogs speed towards the finish line.
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Thu 14 May 2015 15:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Sat 16 May 2015 06:07Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Podcast
-
Open Country
Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of Britain