Bloodhounds have such an extraordinary nose, that they can distinguish – and track – the scent of individual human beings.
The Wessex Bloodhounds hunt “the clean boot” – which means that a pack of hounds hunt the scent of human runners, who set off with 20 minutes’ head start across the fields. The hounds hunt or track the runners, and the riders follow the hounds. It the hue and cry of a traditional hunt, but none of the controversy.
Throughout the summer season, you can often see the Wessex Bloodhounds at country shows. The first part of this interview was recorded at the Alresford Agricultural Show in September. Senior Master, Sam Heighes (daughter of the highly respected bloodhound expert, Jeremy Whaley) and Jack Jennings, Master and Huntsman discuss the pack with Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather, and introduce star bloodhound, Romance.
At a training meet in South Harting the next day, we witness the gentle start to the season. Known as “tub” hunts because everyone’s a little tubby from the summer holidays, these training meets feature short hunts and are very relaxed. The riders, horses, hounds and the human quarries start to get their fitness up in readiness for the proper season ahead.
You can find out more about the bloodhounds at wessexbloodhounds.com.
Connected episodes about sporting dogs:
- Ratting with the West Sussex Warreners rat pack (February 2026)
- Meet the Sealyham terrier rat pack , recorded at the Game Fair (August 2023)
- Who’s winning at the South of England Hound Show? (August 2023)
- Meet the South Down Bloodhounds (November 2022) – an interview with the retired senior master of the pack
- Meet the Beagles! (October 2022)
- Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound pups (November 2021)
- An insight into the breeding of hounds (November 2021)
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Kate is deeply obsessed and would love to hear from you – the more varied the better! Get in touch via team@shineradio.uk . If you search Dogs with Jobs on your podcast app, you can hear over 100 episodes – which cover assistance dogs, police dogs, gun dogs, conservation dogs and more.
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