Masters of Draghounds & Bloodhounds Association

16/08/2026

14/08/2026

Following our summer hound show at Great Yorkshire Show , you can now see all of the results via our website - https://mdbassociation.com/

👀

Thank you to all our member packs that attended and well done to all on making the show a great success!

Congratulations to the New Forest Bloodhounds for taking Supreme Bloodhound Champion

Congratulations to the Staff College Draghounds for taking Supreme Draghound Champion

🏆🥇🥈🥉🏵️🏆🎖️

26/06/2026

What is Draghunting? (Masters of Draghounds & Bloodhounds Association answer)

‘’Draghunting is a legal and transparent sport: nothing is chased and nothing is caught, dating back nearly 200 years. The aim of draghunting is to test the speed and ability of hounds to follow a scent laid on a pre-determined route, as well as the courage and skill of riders and horses to follow them across country.

Draghunting Protocols

Draghunting deliberately does not seek to closely replicate pursuit of live quarry. Draghunts use an artificial, non-animal-based scent. The day may consist of three or more ‘lines’. Crucially, each of these routes do not start with draghounds drawing coverts, hedgerows or crop, whilst the predetermined lines avoid areas of vegetation or undergrowth in which live quarry may be found. The scent is quite distinguishable for the hounds, so they are unlikely to ‘switch’ onto anything else.

A draghunting day is always carefully planned and fully mapped from start to finish, normally using the Ordinance Survey app. Both the Huntsman and the Field Master know every detail of the day’s route, and of each line. Routes are planned in consultation with the relevant landowners and farm managers. The aim is to provide good sport while avoiding disruption to wildlife, livestock, or crops. There is a rest period for hounds, horses, and riders between each line.

The scent is normally laid by a runner, or occasionally from horseback or quadbike. The scent-layer is sent the Ordinance Survey routes and can follow them using either a printed map or the mobile app (with GPS), to ensure the scent is laid accurately. If there is any deviation from the planned line by hounds, the huntsman will be immediately aware, enabling hounds to be stopped and returned to the predetermined route.

The date, time and location of draghound meets are published well in advance on a draghound pack’s website. In addition, what3words locations are usually provided to show where foot or car followers can get the best views of both hounds working and horses following.’’

20/06/2026

John Glen MP came to our Westminster Drop-in in person to find out about Historic Draghunting and Clean Boot Hunting with Bloodhounds. Great to see him engaging and asking lots of questions.

18/06/2026

The MDBA was formed in 1996 and governs its member packs that practice Historic Drag-hunting and Clean Boot Hunting with Bloodhounds. It is important to be clear that these sports have been in existence, in their current form, since long before the 2004 Hunting Act. These sports are fully compliant with the Hunting Act. Moreover, they have been regulated separately to other hound sports for many decades.

The MDBA governs its own member packs in strict accordance with our Constitution and Hunting Compliance Scheme (HCS).

It is worth drawing readers’ attention to several parts of the HCS (available to all on the MDBA website).

1. All activities must be conducted within the law, specifically, the 2004 Hunting Act.
2. ⁠All packs are subject to unannounced kennels and hunting day inspections from MDBA Officials to assure compliance with the scheme.
3. ⁠Routes for a hunting day are to be submitted ahead of time to the Scheme’s Compliance Officer and Meet locations are to be publicly available.
4. ⁠The current Officers and Employees of any Member Pack, or any pack wishing to apply for membership, may not hold any conviction under the 2004 Hunting Act.
5. ⁠Any alleged breach of the MDBA Compliance Scheme by a member pack will be investigated by an MDBA Disciplinary Committee. If proven, appropriate action will be taken, up to and including dismissal. The relevant authorities will be involved as required.

27/05/2026