Welsh Hound Association Papers

Scope and Content

The fonds comprises records of the Welsh Hound Association, namely minute books, 1922-1983, financial and administrative papers, 1925-1984, hound show administrative papers, 1922-1947, stud book and registration papers, 1922-1987, and letters, [1925]-1982.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Welsh Hound Association was founded in 1922, under the presidency of Sir Edward Curre, for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Welsh Fox Hound as a specific British breed. Since its earliest days the Association has sought to define and maintain the breed by the registration of hounds in an official, published stud book. At first the Welsh Fox Hound was selected by type, rather than strictly by pedigree. However, by 1928, there was some controversy over the constitution and characteristics, particularly of cross-bred hounds, so proposals were made to amend the criteria for entry in the stud book. Since that time, greater consideration has been given to the ancestry of individual animals, in addition to the definitive qualities of a rough coat, stocky shape and persistence in the hunting field over rough terrain. A specially appointed inspection committee visits kennels in order to assess the suitability of hounds for registration in the stud book. The 1997 issue of the stud book contained over 900 entries for Welsh Hounds, all in hunting packs, and none as privately owned pets.
The breed is further promoted through the Association's annual show, which was originally integral to the main Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Show. However, since 1970 it has been a separate event, as part of the Wales and Border Counties Hound Show, held permanently at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society show ground at Builth Wells. Individual hunts arrange village shows where neighbouring packs compete against each other at a local level. Additional publicity for the Welsh Hound is sought by means of advertisements and by the publication of articles in relevant journals.
The officials of the Association comprise a president, vice-president, secretary, honorary secretary and treasurer, and executive committee. Previous committee members have included such influential figures as Lord David Davies of Llandinam. Annual general meetings are usually held during the Hound Show at Builth Wells.

Arrangement

Arranged into five series: minute books; financial and administrative papers; hound show administrative papers; stud book and registration papers; and letters. The Association's own files have been retained in each series, with contents in original order.

Access Information

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions set out in information provided when applying for their Readers' Tickets, whereby the reader shall become responsible for compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 in relation to any processing by them of personal data obtained from modern records held at the Library. = Disgwylir i ddarllenwyr sydd am ddefnyddio papurau modern yn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru gydymffurfio â Deddf Warchod Data 2018 a Rheoliadau Diogelu Data Cyffredinol 2018 yng nghyd-destun unrhyw brosesu ganddynt o ddata personol a gasglwyd o gofnodion modern sydd ar gadw yn y Llyfrgell. Nodir y manylion yn yr wybodaeth a roddir wrth wneud cais am Docyn Darllen

Acquisition Information

Donated by Miss Catherine Richards, Archivist, Powys County Archives Office, Llandrindod Wells, August 2002.; 0200300365

Note

The Welsh Hound Association was founded in 1922, under the presidency of Sir Edward Curre, for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Welsh Fox Hound as a specific British breed. Since its earliest days the Association has sought to define and maintain the breed by the registration of hounds in an official, published stud book. At first the Welsh Fox Hound was selected by type, rather than strictly by pedigree. However, by 1928, there was some controversy over the constitution and characteristics, particularly of cross-bred hounds, so proposals were made to amend the criteria for entry in the stud book. Since that time, greater consideration has been given to the ancestry of individual animals, in addition to the definitive qualities of a rough coat, stocky shape and persistence in the hunting field over rough terrain. A specially appointed inspection committee visits kennels in order to assess the suitability of hounds for registration in the stud book. The 1997 issue of the stud book contained over 900 entries for Welsh Hounds, all in hunting packs, and none as privately owned pets.
The breed is further promoted through the Association's annual show, which was originally integral to the main Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Show. However, since 1970 it has been a separate event, as part of the Wales and Border Counties Hound Show, held permanently at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society show ground at Builth Wells. Individual hunts arrange village shows where neighbouring packs compete against each other at a local level. Additional publicity for the Welsh Hound is sought by means of advertisements and by the publication of articles in relevant journals.
The officials of the Association comprise a president, vice-president, secretary, honorary secretary and treasurer, and executive committee. Previous committee members have included such influential figures as Lord David Davies of Llandinam. Annual general meetings are usually held during the Hound Show at Builth Wells.

Title supplied from contents. Original titles, where present at other levels of description, are shown by inverted commas.

Other Finding Aids

A hard copy of the catalogue is available at NLW and at Powys County Archives Office.

Alternative Form Available

Text

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

The whole fonds was affected by an infestation of dog fleas and by damp. Conservation treatment was carried out from August 2002 until January 2003, but rust marks from paper clips and staples remain visible throughout. More extensive damage is noted at the appropriate level.

Archivist's Note

June 2003

Compiled by Hilary A. Peters.

The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Welsh Hound Association Papers; Welsh Hound Association Kennel Stud Book, Vol. 1, 1922-1925 (Welsh Hound Association: 1925); and a Submission to the Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs from the Welsh Hound Association, website: www.huntinginquiry.gov.uk/evidence/ welshhoundsubmission.htm, 28/4/2003.

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright laws apply

Appraisal Information

Action: In accordance with the terms contained in a letter from Catherine Richards, Powys County Archives Office, 28 August 2002, duplicate documents and surplus blank forms have been destroyed. Details are given at the appropriate level of description..

Custodial History

The Welsh Hound Association Papers were originally donated to the Powys County Archives Office by Lord Davies of Plas Dinam and subsequently transferred to NLW in August 2002.

Accruals

Accruals are possible.

Bibliography

Welsh Hound Association Kennel Stud Book, Vols 1-11 (Welsh Hound Association: 1922-1983)

Additional Information

Published