Colne Valley Beagles and other things of interest.: PUPPY CHRISTENING

A puppy being told before being christened by the ‘vicar’, how it is expected to lead its life as a beagle.

David Swanbury

Traditionally, in this area of the Colne Valley Beagles, the Holme Valley Beagles and the Pennine Foxhounds, young puppies have to be christened in a formal manner. The ceremony takes place using a bowl of Punch, or maybe it is just red wine, and is carried out by an established local figure well versed in the procedure, who recites in dialect the guiding principles for the puppy to observe in life.

For those who wish to know the words, a poor quality video of a Pennine Foxhounds christening was posted here.

Puppy Christening YouTube

The ‘Vicar’ from the Pennine kindly performed the CVB ceremony shown below.

The ‘Vicar’s’ introduction.

Waiting to start.

The first of five puppies.

First, the Christening starts with the instruction to the puppy on how to live a good life as a hound .

Then anoint the forehead with Punch.

Finally dip the front paws in the Punch .

The last puppy gets anointed .

Custom decrees that the remaining Punch should be drunk!

In conclusion, a Master singing the traditional song of 'Drink Puppy Drink'. It seems to make everyone look pretty serious!

The 'Vicar' and others being thanked by another Joint Master and announcing a Singing Competition will follow.

The puppies will now go to be fostered, called 'puppy walking' until next year, in private homes where they can be brought up with care and attention. They become used to the wide variety of experiences it brings and to where they may return when their hunting days are over. Next year these puppies, fully grown and mature, will be returned to the kennels to be entered into the pack to fulfill their natural instinct.

The Billy Busfield Memorial sing continues after this here

Tuesday 19 May 2015

PUPPY CHRISTENING - COLNE VALLEY BEAGLES

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