The bond between man and his dog is nearly as hold as time. From companionship and security to hunting and recreation the two have been largely inseparable. This relationship continues today.

When the first European settlers came to the "New World," they brought their trusted hunting dogs with them. They were predominantly hound breeds that are especially well adapted to pursuing game. their presence is documented in records from the late 1600s. The hounds were used to track and pursue a wide variety of game and were critical to the survival of the earliest colonists.

A society evolved and domesticated animals became a common food source, hunting with hounds began its transition from necessity to sport. It was particularly popular in Great Britain and the American colonies. Virginia reports the oldest written record of an organized fox hunt in 1747. George Washington owned a pack of hounds and often mentions hunting in his diaries.

The sport of hunting with hounds is essentially a mix of human and animal players where the humans follow a pack of hounds to chase the "quarry" until ti either "goes to ground" or the hounds loose the scent. Fox Hunting, the best known "Hound Sport," incorporates the equine element by placing the humans on horseback. In the case of Beagling, the humans are on foot and the "quarry" is either a rabbit or hare.

The organization that governs foot hound packs is the National Beagle Club (NBC). The NBC ensures that beagle packs adhere to strict standards regarding hounds, conditions of kennel facilities, and conduct during the hunt. Packs of hounds are either owned by a private individual or a "subscription pack," owned by a club.

In the United States today, the sport of hunting with hounds has evolved to where the actual chase is the object of the "hunt." In fact, the hunt ends when the "quarry" retreats to a hole and survives unharmed to be chased another day.