Now that I can admire.

i couldn't agree more. I don't understand either the opinion that "life at all costs" is what's important. It's not ... QUALITY of life is what is important.

Having said that though, better that they were put down than made to suffer.

Hal was 10, so not quite as bad, but he still was cut down virtually in his prime, very sad. I am sorry for your loss too

I eat meat, does that mean I am not a genuine animal lover,

Because I know when farm animals outlive their usefulness, they go for slaughter, should I not eat meat due to the farmer disregarding the sheep /cow that has served him well , then sends to market when its no longer earns its keep

I accept that animals mean different things to different people, some of us keep them as pets, and find the way others see their as abhorrent, how can some one disregard their beloved dog, because I could never do that !

Whether you like it or not, hounds are not pets, they are not seem as pets, they are part of a lifestyle , and do a job, when they can no longer do the job, they are recycled into the way of life.

Do I like the thought of them being disposed of , no ofcouse I don`t, so don`t go throwing the emotive "you can be a dog lover " around, because its just words, as far as I am concerned, and rather pathetic

I am not arrogant enough to think that everyone should see their animals as I do, for many its a living , a way of life, they do a job, they are treated well, and live full lives whilst they can.

Do I think better they should not be born...absolutely not

You only have to watch them working to see the fulfilled life they have, a better life than many many pet dogs to be honest.

I "work" my dogs ... not in any formal capacity, but certainly do not discourage them from bringing down rabbits and squirrels. As you say, the dogs enjoy it, it fulfills them mentally and physically and as predominantly carniverous animals, I would even suggest that it essential that they are allowed to chase prey, irrespective of whether they bring it down or not. I would prefer that they do in the case of rabbits, because as raw fed boys, it is a very important source of fur for them that they otherwise don't get.

I am glad that no birds are wasted at your shoot. They are not at our local shoot either - the beaters have their pick, and any that are left are handed out to any of the domestic staff or farm hands. The shots of course can have what they have bagged - but many choose not to. All they are interested in is bagging as many as they can - I would have far more respect for them if they took their bag home for themselves and their gundogs to enjoy.

I eat meat too Jackbox - I am more carniverous than I am anything else, and I firmly believe that a diet consisting of meat and fish is essential for us omnivores - we have the teeth to prove it!

But I don't need to say that I am an animal lover too. I eat meat because I consider I should to be healthy. I eat vegetables too, but I consider that as omnivores we also need a little meat as well.

But I hold a very strong opinion about animals in general that are used to help mankind in their work and their play. Shooting not for food but for enjoyment is very definitely under the category of "play", and my personal opinion is that a true animal lover would not want to shoot for pleasure. Shooting for food is great, don't have a problem with that - take your bag home, and share it with your gundog, fabulous, great news.

Foxhounds being destroyed when they are still healthy to my mind is not the action of an animal lover. It is disrespectful to the hound that has given the hunt several years of service. He at least deserves the chance of a suitable home - a home where he will be exercised daily, where he will live with canine company. Foxhounds do make good and suitable pets in the right home.

Oh how i wish it was that easy to find a home for a dog thats never seen the inside of a house, is used to peeing and pooing where it wants to and then running through it, the fact is its not, rescues are struggling to find homes for young dogs that come ready made let alone dogs that will need the work a retired fox hound will.

ETA we often say on this forum that there are worse things for a dog than being PTS

I amaware of the trials and tribulations of rehoming a foxhound. Whoever said anything about the dog sleeping inside? I for one would leap at the opportunity to have a dog who could do just this, would not have an issue with it at all, wish I could get my 2 hairy monsters to sleep in a kennel outside.

You see, I am just one person and already I am showing myself to be a suitable rehoming for a foxhound.

There are indeed worse things than euthanasia, i am the first one to agree with that. But attempts should at least be made to rehome any unsuitable hound who does not make the grade.

Wasnt going to bother with this thread, you all know my thoughts on this so called sport.

But I will 'spout' as you so politely put it on that point many many people rehome dogs that have spent their lives in kennels.

yep they do me included, so i am coming from a little experience, but its not everyone has that sort of patience, not everyone likes Sxxt all over there house or a dog that needs valium to go in a car, or one that wets itself when it sees an ironing board, i could go on but won't because lets face it we're are talking about older dogs that have spent their lives in the country living in a pack of probably 30 or 40, a lot of the outside world is going to be terrifying