Soonipi Hounds

We have lived in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region of New Hampshire for thirty-six years. Residents in the area know and respect us best for our professional careers, mine as an educator and Parker as a Physician Assistant. Few would guess that our passion lies in our bloodhounds…all twenty paws of them!

Bloodhounds are one of the 23 recognized breeds by the American Kennel Club in the category of Hound. The Hound Group is divided into sight and scent hounds. Bloodhounds are the oldest breed of the scent hounds. The Bloodhound is a hound of great size and strength with a noble, dignified expression. They have a distinguished history. St. Hubert hounds, ancestors to today’s Bloodhounds, helped Europeans celebrate the Millennium in the year 1000. Today’s Bloodhounds are descended from those hounds, bred by St. Hubert, a 7^th century French monk who later became patron saint of hunters, and from hounds bred by other medieval noble men who kept scent hounds as hunting dogs. Many strains, including hounds brought back to Europe by the Crusaders from the Holy Land, have blended to produce today’s gentle giants. It was not until the 16^th century that the Bloodhound was used to track humans. Mantrailing has enjoyed a steady increase today in law enforcement and search and rescue. Successful criminal searches by a bloodhound are accepted as testimony in court. “Blood” in the breed name probably comes from “blooded” – meaning a hound of pure breeding.

We purchased our first bloodhound when our son went off to college and the family dog died. It was an opportunity to realize a dream of owning a bloodhound. I had no idea who would own who! We soon found out that you cannot have just one. Over the years we have been blessed to own and loved twelve different bloodhounds. This include the current crew, Rumor age ten, Tucker, Kate, and Phoebe age six and Garth age three. Our kennel name is Soonipi Hounds because we live in the Soonipi Region. Soonipi is Abeknaki Indian for “Lake of the Flying Goose” which is Lake Sunapee.

Activities with our hounds range from conformation to trailing to obedience. Karen’s interest is primarily in conformation events. She has “finished” to their Championship nine bloodhounds. Currently, she is campaigning Garth as a “Special.” In 2011, Garth received his Grand Championship, Best of Opposite Sex at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club, completed his Canadian Championship in two shows, and finished the year ranked as #4 Bloodhound All Breed and #5 Breed all breeder/owner/handled. Quite an accomplishment! There have been many wonderful conformation accomplishments over the years.

Abbey, our first Champion, was also Best of Opposite at Westminster, owner/handled. Phoebe received Winners Bitch at the 2006 American Bloodhound Club National, two Awards of Merit at Westminster, was a Multiple Best in Show dog, and received 81 Group placements over her show career. Including pups born at their home, nineteen have received conformation Championships, eleven were Group placing dogs.

Parker’s area of interest includes obedience, rally, and mantrailing…oh and spoiling the hounds! Parker has completed obedience titles on three of the bloodhounds, rally on two, and mantrailing titles on two. Of the dogs we have bred, there are six mantrailing titles, two obedience titles, and three rally titles. Parker and Molly were awarded High in Trial for obedience at the 2006 American Bloodhound Club National in Providence Rhode Island which Parker is particularly proud.

Our hounds live in our home and are well trained members of our family. We only breed when we are ready for our next competition dogs. We are members of the American Bloodhound Club and the Colonial Bloodhound Club. Visit each page to see who is with us now and their accomplishments, who is still in our hearts, fun pictures, resources we like, and thoughts on owning bloodhounds. Enjoy!

Karen & Parker Dewey
Newport, NH 03773

The American Bloodhound Club, Inc. is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily agree with, this article, advertisement, publication, or communication or any opinions expressed within.