Unentered Aiken Trailer was Grand Champion of the Carolinas Hound Show to the delight of (l-r) huntsman Katherine Gunter and Linda McLean, MFH. / Louisa Davidson photoWith stunning examples of the modern English foxhound setting the beauty standard of our time, the Penn-Marydels have long been considered the ugly ducklings of the show ring. So outclassed were they that when shown in the same ring with the modern English or well-bred Crossbred, they never even earned a second glance from the judges.
That view is changing, and we are seeing some spectacular examples of foxhound conformation in the Penn-Marydel ring. So good in fact, that in two cases at least the Penn-Marydel entry has eclipsed all others.
It takes a self-confident judge to buck the common view, but Marty Wood did it at the 2004 Virginia Foxhound Show when he picked Rose Tree Needy 2002 as Grand Champion of that show. And Mason Lampton did it this year when he picked unentered Aiken Trailer as Grand Champion of the Carolinas Hound Show over Keswick Wallace (American Champion), Why Worry Garters (English Champion), and Whiskey Road Lila (Crossbred Champion).
Aiken Master Linda McLean and huntsman Katherine Gunter were elated.
“Trailer is a really neat pup,” said Gunter. “He has loads of personality in the kennels.
After just a few practices, he loved to show off, running the boards with enthusiasm and always stopping square. He has an effortless stride and an awesome head. Both he and his brother Truck will make you laugh out loud with the faces they make in the kennels. They love to stick their tongues out!
“Trailer is by Red Mountain Truckstop 2008 [now a resident of Moore County, having accompanied huntsman David Raley there from Red Mountain] out of Red Mountain Emmy 2009. Those Truckstop pups were smart and easy with everything. They were out exercising with the pack and the horses from sixteen weeks with never a worry. I have been super impressed with their biddability, and I look forward to hunting them.”
The prejudice on the part of many toward the Penn-Marydel in the show ring notwithstanding, the “Penn-Marydel look” is dearly cherished by those smitten with the breed. And their desirable traits—biddability, sweet temper, low scenting capability, and booming voices in the field—are making the breed increasingly popular in hunt kennels across North America.
For complete results from the Carolinas Hound Show, click here.
Posted May 21, 2012
“Trailer has an effortless stride and an awesome head,” says Aiken huntsman Katherine Gunter. / Louisa Davidson photo