Frequently Asked Questions

How can I buy a Foxhound from a Hunt?

Foxhounds from MFHA packs do not make good pets. They have been bred, for generations, to hunt and are pack animals. Hounds can be drafted from one pack to another but no money changes hands.

How many hounds are in a pack?

Hounds are counted in couples. The number of hounds in a pack varies from about 20 - 30 couple. Not all hounds from a pack will hunt on any one day.

What is puppy walking?

Once hound puppies are weaned they ‘go out to walk’ either on their own, or with another puppy, to a local farm within the Hunt country. Whilst at walk hounds will learn their name, learn about life, people, chickens, the postman and everything an ordinary puppy learns in the first months of life. The huntsman will visit regularly. When the hound is about six months old it returns to kennels and is introduced back into the pack.

Tell me more about packs of Foxhounds?

There are 186 recognised packs of Foxhounds hunting legally in Britain today. Foxhounds are about the size of a large Labrador, and are normally followed on horseback, except in the Fells where they are followed on foot.

While we have a lot of information on our site, the best way of learning more about the activities of our packs of Foxhounds is to spend a day out with hounds. There is a pack of Foxhounds within easy reach of most parts of England and Wales. To find your nearest pack follow the link to the 'Find a pack' section of the website.

How can I attend a Meet of a Hunt, including the Boxing Day Meet?

Hunts meet regularly from November until April and you need to contact your local Hunt to find out details of where they are meeting. A list of the Boxing Day meets we have been notified of is published on the MFHA website annually from about mid December. To find your nearest pack follow the link to the 'Find a pack' section of the website.

How can I become a member of the MFHA?

Membership of the MFHA is only open to serving Masters of Foxhounds who may remain members on retiring from their Mastership.

How do I get a job with a Hunt?

The Hunting Office keeps a list of positions available with Hunts and also a list of persons looking for positions in hunting. This “Registry” runs from October for positions commencing the following 1st May (the usual date for Hunt Staff to change positions). There is also a Bursary Scheme which provides on-the-job training for young people wishing to enter Hunt Service. Further details are available by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How can my Hunt become recognised by the MFHA?

Contact the MFHA Office for further details. Certain criteria must be met:

· A map must be supplied of your Hunt country with the boundaries agreed and signed by your neighbouring Hunts.

· The Masters would have to become Members of the MFHA.

· The Hunt would have to pay an annual Registration Fee.

What does the MFHA do?

The MFHA exists to help and advise its members and this help/advice is always available by email or telephone. We

Pay for specialist legal advice on all matters concerning Hunting, which we pass on to members. This includes everything from employment to property law and animal-by products regulations.
Provide a 24-hour legal helpline.
Liaise with the Police on a regular basis.
Negotiate licences to hunt with the Forestry Commission, Ministry of Defence, National Trust, Woodland Trust, etc.
Liaise with DEFRA and provide advice about collection and disposal of fallen stock.
Administer the Block Public and Employers Liability Insurance Scheme.
Administer the Block Legal Fees Insurance Scheme.
Administer the Personal Accident Scheme for Hunt Staff.
Administer Point-to-Point Racing with the Point-to-Point Board and Horse Racing Authority.
Run annual courses for new Masters, young Hunt Staff and training days on breeding and judging hounds.
Administer three-yearly Kennel Inspections.
Produceinformation for Masters including the "Competencies required within a Mastership" booklet and “The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Hounds in Hunt Kennels".
Co-ordinates media and PR activities with the Countryside Alliance.
Advise the Hound Shows on judges and classes.
Managesthe Rules of the Association, oversee the Codes of Conduct and administer disciplinary proceedings.
Produce the annual MFHA Hand Book.
Edit and produce the annual Foxhound Kennel Stud Book.
Administer the Hunt Staff Registry for Hunts looking for staff and for staff looking for jobs.
Administer MFHA Hunt boundaries and boundary disputes.
Administer the sport of Team Chasing.
Commissions and reviews research in order to promote and defend the case for Hunting.
Administer the MFHA website.