Our Hounds

They are happy hounds in the kennel, but the real fun is out hunting! Hounds hunt as a pack; each hound lending their best traits makes for great sport. For riders of the field, learning the hounds can add to your enjoyment. You may hear me giving praise to certain hound for finding the line or working particularly hard. When out in the open, you might be able to pick out which hound is in front or singing a particularly beautiful song. And on the way home, you may recognize who is not ready to go in, daydreaming we could stay out hunting into the night!
Jennifer Hansen, Huntsman

Meet Some of the Woodbrook Hounds

Homer

2010 Santa Ynez
Sire: Los Altos Smashing
Dam: Farmington Hopeful

Hobbit

2010 Santa Ynez
Sire: Los Altos Smashing
Dam: Farmington Hopeful

Jupiter

2011 Santa Ynez
Sire: Grand Canyon Jasper
Dam: Santa Ynez Valley Twilight

Godiva

2011 Woodbrook
Sire: Woodbrook D'Artagnan
Dam: Woodbrook Daphne

Domengine

2012 Los Altos Domengine
Sire: Los Altos Farmer
Dam: Los Altos Donatella

Los Altos Domengine ‘12 is a charismatic English bitch who was drafted in 2017 when the Los Altos Hunt disbanded. She joined her litter mate Dorchester at WHC, who had been drafted to our pack two seasons prior. Domengine is a keen hunter with an excellent nose. Her talents could earn her a place in nearly any kennel and I’m sure she would happily and steadily hunt just about any quarry. She has been a pleasure to watch and follow as she hunts our drag-laid lines. She is the mother of our “J” litter (who you’ll meet soon). She was a good mother but eager to get back to hunting just as soon as she possibly could! In the kennel Domengine is very easy to get along with. She LOVES treats and is often seen tipping her head and politely begging. One odd thing about Domengine is that she really does not like wearing a collar. When we collar the hounds to go hunting she comes right up when her name is called and then as the collar is put on she squirms and wiggles like she’s never worn a collar before. She’d hate that I’m sharing this secret, as she is the classiest hound in every other way.

Dorchester

2012 Los Altos Dorchester
Sire: Los Altos Farmer
Dam: Los Altos Donatella

Los Altos Dorchester ‘12 is a keen (much like litter mate Domengine), tri-color hound of English breeding with beautiful black around his eyes almost like eyeliner! Dorchester came to the WHC as a draft in 2015. He took well enough to the drag hunt, giving good voice and bringing a confident strength to the pack. But his fox sense, (or rather coyote sense), was not to be undercut. While he remains a good boy hunting the drag, he often has to alert Huntsman Hansen that there is something 4 legged afoot, not just our known “papa fox.” He just wants her to know, that he knows. Hounds are very intelligent and clever hunters, and it shows up in Dorchester; it’s the importance of respect between huntsman and hound. The huntsman does not insult his intelligence, so he will hunt the drag for her even though there are definitely exciting alternatives nearby. Dorchester is a great character around the kennel. He can be a bit shy of people, but he enjoyed assisting with the raising of our last litter of pups, who are in fact his biological nieces and nephews! He is even keeled, and a good example for the young pups on how to grow up with proper kennel manners. Uncle Dorchester may not be the most well known amongst the field, but he is quite a favorite in the kennel with his fellow cohorts.

Ketchup

2012 Mill Creek Ketchup
Sire: Mill Creek Lexington
Dam: Mill Creek Tetris

Mill Creek Ketchup ’12 is a black and tan bitch who was drafted to Woodbrook in 2014 from the Mill Creek Hunt near Chicago. She is a very intense hunter and has a distinct voice that can be heard for quite a distance. She was entered to hunt Coyote at Mill Creek and reluctantly made the switch to following our drag scent. She is particularly fond of hunting Simon, the man who lays our drag, and finds great joy in marking him by baying to him at the end of a well hunted line (what she does once she has found the quarry). In the kennel, Ketchup is easy to get along with and quite content the majority of the time. Due to a GI condition she eats a special diet and gets a few minutes of alone time each morning to enjoy her special kibble. She is a very polite hound and always one I pull out to say hello when we have visitors. She’s had two litters of puppies, one for Mill Creek and the second here at Woodbrook in 2016. •• Sarah adds, “Ketchup’s voice is so sophisticated in the kennel, she is the one who tells me when someone is approaching, and who it is. I can tell the difference between Jenn walking over or if it’s Katrina (kennel helper). She has a very special sound for Jenn, and also a happy voice for Katrina. I can tell if someone comes by on foot, has a dog, if they are on a horse with a dog, or an unknown person on a horse. And I know what it will be before I see who it is! She’s amazing!”

Gearhead

2013 Mill Creek Gearhead
Sire: Mill Creek Diesel
Dam: Mill Creek Gorgeous

Mill Creek Gearhead ’13 is a black and tan dog who was drafted to Woodbrook in 2014 from the Mill Creek Hunt near Chicago. He is the pack clown! As a young hound Grearhead was so enthusiastic, I swear he understood what was being said by staff on the radios! He has a unique gate due to injuring his left hock and that has alway made it easy for our members to recognize him. In his 7th season he has begun to slow down. Some days he is feeling great and eager to go hunting, and other days he lets me know he will opt to stay at the kennels. I think he knows the days we haul out are often longer days hunting. He has a wonderful booming voice and is always ready to teach puppies about hunting!
In the kennel Gearhead thinks he’s in charge of all things social and order. He is the first to voice alarm and let us know when something is near the kennel that shouldn’t be (he and Ketchup work together)! And he is the most enthusiastic when we have visitor! ENTHUSIAST is the one word that truly describes Gearhead.

Kent

2014 Woodbrook Kent
Sire: Mooreland Eclipse
Dam: Cornwall Kiera

Woodbrook Kent ’14 is a white wooly dog hound. He was drafted from Fox River Valley (just outside of Chicago) as a puppy and began hunting here at Woodbrook. Kent’s light color and rough coat definitely stand out in our pack and is an easy hound for the field to recognize. As a pup Kent was on the reserved side. He was slow to warm up to strangers and our veterinarians. While unsure of horses at the beginning, he made a good friend in our huntsman’s horse Willow and became a confident and outgoing hound. In 2017 Kent won Best In Show at the Western States Hound Show in Tejon, CA. His excellent conformation helps him to move effortlessly through our country. He is always a pleasure to watch in the field.
In the kennel Kent will forever act like a puppy. He is always looking for dog toys and if he manages to find one, he’s not very good at sharing! He prefers to strut around, toy in mouth, growling. Some of the other hounds become interested in what he’s holding and others just ignore him as if to say “there goes Kent again with something ridiculous in his mouth.”

Ernie

2015 Woodbrook Ernie
Sire: Red Rock Schneider
Dam: Red Rock Ying

Woodbrook Ernie ‘15 is a tricolor neutered male who was drafted from the Red Rock Hounds before he began hunting. Red Rock’s hounds are of Walker blood, they are more refined in stature than the crossbred hounds, and they are very gentle and sensitive. Ernie reminds me of a thoroughbred horse in his stature, athleticism, and temperament. He has a great nose and is a very capable hunter. He really shines each year when we hunt fixtures in Zillah, WA where the scenting conditions are dry and scent evaporates quickly in the direct sun.
In the kennel Ernie is incredibly easy going. I don’t think he’s ever done anything to even have a cross word said to him. He’s great help with the young entry and always happy to take a puppy on a couple when walking out.

Delaware

2015 Mill Creek Delaware
Sire: Mill Creek Keystone
Dam: Moingona Dierde

Mill Creek Delaware ’15 is a lemon colored dog hound. He was drafted from the Mill Creek Hunt near Chicago in 2016 after just one very short season hunting with Mill Creek. Delaware took to hunting our drag like a fish takes to swimming. His distinct and natural voice was a very welcome addition to our pack at a time when increasing voice was a top priority; he opens on a line and sails along! Hunting is such a natural and unconscious feeling for him that, in the beginning, on the odd day when conditions were challenging or the line disappeared, he didn’t know what to do. It took him a few seasons, but he really has become an important part of our pack and pulls his weight even on the more difficult days now.
In the kennel, Delaware is very mouthy and has something to say about everything! He is always concerned there may not be enough breakfast for him. When it’s his turn to get on the food he makes sure all the other hounds know he’s there. He’s very good on a couple and is quite helpful teaching puppies to walk out with the pack.

Iris

2017 Woodbrook Iris
Sire: Los Altos Homer
Dam: Mill Creek Ketchup

Woodbrook Iris ‘17 is a tri-color bitch, out of Mill Creek Ketchup, sired by Los Altos Homer. The name Iris was sure to encourage her strong will and independent nature; she was named in honor of Iris Bryant whose father founded WHC. Later, she herself was huntsman. Iris, the hound, has an interesting mind. She seems to not always be paying attention but at other times has the intent focus to work out a cold line. Some days she is right in the action, eagerly part of the team. And other days you hear her name more than any other hound, and she’ll be the last to come in!
In the kennel Iris is an honorary dog hound because she had trouble living with the bitches from the time she was young. We had her spayed and she very happily lives with the boys! She has a very distinct voice and she uses it to alarm us when wildlife is roaming near the kennel.

Iggy

2017 Woodbrook Iggy
Sire: Los Altos Homer
Dam: Mill Creek Ketchup

Woodbrook Iggy ‘17 is a very masculine and stout red and white dog hound, the litter mate to Iris and Isaid. He was a challenging youngster, always feeling his oats and overqualified for the job of following our drag. During his first two seasons he made his share of mistakes and really thought he belonged in a pack that hunts coyote! Each season he has become more steady and by the end of his second season he was really a hound to give notice to. In his third season he has been quite brilliant; our huntsman really can trust him. He is consistent and has such a beautiful voice. Whips did not always appreciate his tenacity. However, it’s quite appreciated now that he’s so steady. In the kennel Iggy can be a bit big for his britches. He feels the need to teach the youngsters, which is helpful out hunting, but not so much in the yard. He was all white as a puppy and affectionately nicknamed Polar Bear. He sired the newest “J” litter you’ll meet next, and definitely carries his sire’s coloring (Homer, who you’ll meet in our Retirees segment).

Isaid

2017 Woodbrook Isaid
Sire: Los Altos Homer
Dam: Mill Creek Ketchup

Woodbrook Isaid ‘17 is a handsome black and tan dog out of the same litter as Iris and Iggy. He has the same keen and intelligent expression as his mother Ketchup. He has a solid work ethic, good nose, and never gets tired. He’s a very consistent hound and is well built. He’s quite handsome, with a booming voice, and he is very devoted to his huntsman and pack. In the kennel Isaid is needy, always looking for acknowledgment, approval, and attention from Sarah (kennel huntsman) and Jennifer (Hon. Huntsman). He really looks up to Gearhead and we think Grearhead appreciates it!

Rocket

2018 Woodbrook Rocket
Sire: Old Dominion Rodger
Dam: Los Altos Dazzle

Rover

2018 Woodbrook Rover
Sire: Old Dominion Rodger
Dam: Los Altos Dazzle

Woodbrook Rocket ‘18 was a yearling draft pup from Los Altos in 2018 and is a full brother to Rover! Rocket was a quiet and reserved pup, where Rover was the boisterous, friendly one. He is tall and gangly, with a deep red and white coat. He really took to the hunting quite quickly, and fast became a first arrival at the end of the lines. Where his brother is the class clown and the outgoing type everyone recognizes, Rocket is the serious brother, who gets to work and gets the job done. He gets along with everyone in the kennel, and blending in with the crowd is just fine with him. He has a handsome dog hound head, and luckily, a fine nose to go with his prettiness.

Woodbrook Rover ‘18 is a red and white neutered male who was drafted from Los Altos Hunt with his littermate, Rocket, spring of 2018 and began hunting here. Rover is small in size and has a very cute expression. Members and kids instantly fall in love with him (staff horse, Tango, too)! He is mischievous and has quite a sense of humor. He didn’t get much notice, good or otherwise, during his first season. However, he really figured things out and showed his ability and enthusiasm to hunt in his second season. He is particularly fond of finding Aubrey @jumpstart_training when she is foxing for us on her pony! He has fans from all over, as his friends from Los Altos still remember walking him out as a puppy and love seeing him hunt on our travel fixtures!

Joules

Woodbrook Joules
Sire: Woodbrook Iggy
Dam: Los Altos Domengine

Jazz

Woodbrook Jazz
Sire: Woodbrook Iggy
Dam: Los Altos Domengine

Woodbrook Joules (unentered) is a lemon and white bitch out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. She is quite a character and the tomboy of her litter. She is very biddable and took right to all our pack activities. I look forward to her hunting this coming season, I think her enthusiasm will be contagious. Joules has a sense of humor and is always dirty. She loves to lay in the thickest mud and she pretty much does whatever feels good! In the kennel she’s a very happy hound and loves people and all other hounds. We jokingly say that she is part Labrador retriever because she’s built a bit like one and she’s always finding things and bringing them to me.

Woodbrook Jazz (unentered) is a tri colored bitch out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. She is a lovely hound and we are very eager to see her out hunting this coming season. She is small but mighty, and incredibly energetic and inquisitive. Jazz is very easy to get along with in the kennels. Jenn thinks, due to her small stature, that she loves to get on things in the the pasture to be taller, but thankfully she does not jump out of the kennels like her sister Jolene!

Jasper

2019 Woodbrook Jasper
Sire: Woodbrook Iggy
Dam: Los Altos Domengine

Jodhpur

2019 Woodbrook Jodhpur
Sire: Woodbrook Iggy
Dam: Los Altos Domengine

Woodbrook Jasper ’19 is a tri-color dog out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. He was a very easy hound to enter and we think he will really show brilliance in future seasons. Jasper has a very masculine look about him and takes after his sires line in size and nature. In the kennel Jasper is buddies with Ernie and Rover, all three are comical characters and fun loving. Jasper is quite friendly, and did I mention handsome.

Woodbrook Jodhpur ’19 is a lemon and white dog out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. Stout and masculine with very distinct eyes, Jodhpur was really hoping for a hound show this spring so he could show off his good looks and movement. He hunted at least 35 days this season and really put in a solid steady effort for a young entry. In the kennel Jodhpur takes after his mother Domengine and will do absolutely anything for a biscuit!

Jetty

2019 Woodbrook Jetty
Sire: Woodbrook Iggy
Dam: Los Altos Domengine

JBLM

2019 Woodbrook JBLM
Sire: Woodbrook Iggy
Dam: Los Altos Domengine

Woodbrook Jetty ‘19 is a lemon and white dog hound out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. Jetty is solid built with masculine features, he has a very strong resemblance to his father. Jetty loves to hunt; in just his first season he showed tremendous interest and focus following our drag lines. He has a strong voice and nothing seems to distract him. I am so eager to see how he matures in the coming season. In the kennel Jetty is a quiet hound and always seems to just be biding time till we walk or hunt. He sticks very close to me in the kennel and I think it’s often because he doesn’t want to miss out on the next adventure.

Woodbrook JBLM ’19 (pronounced J-Blam) is a lemon and white dog hound out of Los Altos Domengine and by Woodbrook Iggy. J-Blam is light in stature compared to his litter-mates and has soft kind eyes. He’s a hard worker and definitely contributed to the pack’s good effort this season. We are excited to watch this hound mature and follow his nose. In the kennel J-Blam is very easy and agreeable. He’s been quite biddable in every way, and has the same speckled markings as his Grandfather, Homer, Dad, Iggy, and sister Jolene (you’ll meet her soon)!

Joshua

2019 Woodbrook Joshua
Sire: Woodbrook Iggy
Dam: Los Altos Domengine

Woodbrook Joshua ’19 is a lemon and white dog out of Los Altos Domengine and sired by Woodbrook Iggy. He’s very substantially built and moves well. He’s easy to tell apart from his litter mates because he’s quite tall and he only has one eye! One was removed due to an infection when he was about 9 months old. Turns out he does just fine with only one eye and has a wonderful nose. He was a real contributor to the pack in his first season and his distinct, but unfortunately high pitched, voice means we always know where he is when hunting in thick cover. In the kennel Joshua is full of shenanigans with an active mind. He loves food and quickly learned how to open the gate to be the first to breakfast; he always has a plan to rile the other hounds up and get them to play a game of chase around the grass yard.

Jolene

2019 Woodbrook Jolene
Sire: Woodbrook Iggy
Dam: Los Altos Domengine

Woodbrook Jolene ’19 is a tri colored bitch out of Los Altos Domengine and sired by Woodbrook Iggy. Jolene is an amazing athlete, tenacious hunter, and has as incredibly calm demeanor. Quite early on when we had settled the “J” litter into the kennel, Sarah or I (Jennifer) would walk in and find Jolene in a different kennel than we expected! Soon she showed us how she was climbing 7’-8’ fences within the entire kennel! She would freely jump in and out of the feeding room; we were never sure where we would find Jolene or what mischief she would have gotten into! •••
No hose, bucket or cleaning implement was safe from her or out of her grasp as the “Flying Hound.”
Then the season began and it was our first hunt from the kennels. It’s a tight area and with a big field I had not planned to take young entry. We hacked about a quarter of a mile when I was alerted by radio that Jolene had jumped out of the kennel! Moments later she caught up with us and settled into the pack right below my stirrup. That was the last time I tried to leave Jolene in the kennels. She hunted the whole season with many beautiful runs. She can hold the line out front and she can diligently work to find scent when the line is lost. Upon finding our quarry she is quick to find a drink of water and then lay down and take a nap until we are ready to move off. ••• Jolene was always content to play inside the kennel confines until COVID caused our season to end abruptly. I’m not sure what she thought she was missing out on, but she began jumping out and following me home after morning hound walk and breakfast! Then our kennel huntsman (Sarah) found her on her bed and that’s where she’s decided she’s supposed to sleep. I’m hoping she is like the animals many of us had in our classrooms growing up; she just wants to go home with someone for the summer.

What is the Woodbrook Hound Challenge? Born out of our Huntsman’s love of hunting and hounds, and inspired by a conversation with the famous Sarah Milne of New Zealand, the challenge is modeled after the judging and scoring method Jenn learned when she was invited to judge the Drag Hound Trial at Belle Mead, GA. The auction portion is pure fun and meant to raise much needed funds for our hounds. It’s Jenn’s sincere hope that our field and followers will enjoy learning about our hunt and hounds throughout the challenge. The Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion and the “Worst of the Worst” hound will be announced at our Closing Dinner.

How does the Woodbrook Hound Challenge work? The Challenge will be awarded by accumulated points from our weekend hunts from January 31st to the end of our season in late March or early April. We will have three judges for each Challenge hunt. We’ll call on Huntsman, staff, foxes and distinguished guests to judge, and they will be identified in advance of each hunt. Each judge will fill out a score card giving 5 points to their top hound, 3 points to second, 2 points to third, and 1 point to forth. Hounds will be judged on hunting, voice and marking.

Where does the money raised go? All proceeds go directly to the Hound Fund for our hardworking pack!