Trigg Hound

The Trigg Hound (also known as the Trigg Foxhound or Hayden Trigg Hound) is a variety[1][2] of the American Foxhound, developed in Kentucky by Colonel Haiden Trigg.

Trigg Hound
Early Trigg Hound or progenitor
Other namesTrigg Foxhound
Hayden Trigg Hound
OriginUnited States
Breed statusNot recognized as a breed by any major kennel club.
Traits
Height Dogs 23–24 in (58–61 cm)
Bitches 20–22 in (51–56 cm)
Weight Dogs 45–55 lb (20–25 kg)
Bitches 35–45 lb (16–20 kg)
Coat Short, smooth
Color Any
NotesAmerican Foxhound variety
Dog (domestic dog)

History

The Trigg Hound originated in Barren County, Kentucky, in the 1860s, when fox hunting enthusiast Colonel Haiden C. Trigg wanted to develop a faster hound than those available in his area. He used dogs from the Birdsong, Maupin, and Walker lines to develop his strain.[3]

"Dick's Dog", a Trigg Hound whelped in 1887

According to W. L. Porter in an article in The Chase, local fox hunters who saw the dogs purchased from Birdsong found them unattractive, but their performance was surprisingly good. Porter stated that the dogs were "racy built, crop ears, rough coated, bushy tails and chop mouthed and looked unlike any fox hound any of us had ever seen".[4] Eventually, Trigg's breeding program became successful on a local and national level.[4]

In 1910, well-known big-game hunter Paul J. Rainey purchased twenty five hounds from Trigg and took them on a hunting trip in Africa, later buying more from Trigg, his son Alanson, and others. After Trigg's death, some fanciers began to lose interest and the strain declined in popularity, despite a small core of active breeders. After Rainey returned from his trips, however, he announced that the Triggs were the "best and most courageous hounds in the world," causing their popularity to rise again amongst hunters.[5]

Description

Appearance

Male Trigg Hounds stand 23 to 24 inches (58 to 61 centimetres) at the withers and weigh 45 to 55 pounds (20 to 25 kilograms), while females stand 20 to 22 inches (51 to 56 centimetres) and weigh 35 to 45 pounds (16 to 20 kilograms).[6] The variety has a long snout, hanging ears, and a short, smooth coat, and though it may come in any color, the Continental Kennel Club allows only tricolor and bicolor dogs.[7]

Temperament

The Trigg Hound is obedient but "tenacious", and is well-suited to hunting because of its sense of smell and endurance.[6]

References
  1. Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World (5th ed.). Neptune City, New Jersey: TFH Publications. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-7938-1284-4.
  2. Muszynski, Julie (2007). The Red Book of Dogs: Hounds, Terriers, Toys (1st ed.). New York: Harper Design. ISBN 978-0-06-123887-1.
  3. Trigg, Haiden C. (1890). The American Fox-hound. Glasgow, Kentucky. p. 25. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  4. "The Trigg Foxhound". Barren County Progress. April 27, 2000. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  5. Collins, J. W. (April 1930). "The National & Trigg Hounds". The Chase. p. 2. Archived from the original on December 15, 2010. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  6. Pugnetti, Gino (1980). Meriwether Schuler, Elizabeth (ed.). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Dogs. New York: Simon & Schuster. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-671-25527-5.
  7. "Trigg Hound". Continental Kennel Club. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
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