Hounds

Below are some of the trailhounds currently available for adoption (there may be more hounds that we have not yet listed). We work closely with the racing owners to help find suitable retirement homes, and are able to supply a full history of each hound, e.g whether they have lived with children, cats, etc. We take in up to 40 hounds a year; many we home ourselves while some go to reputable rehoming centres. Hounds are neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. We usually visit you in your home so that we can answer any questions. There is a £200 adoption donation. We offer 1 month free insurance with PETPLAN Insurance. If you are new to trailhounds, please carefully read our FAQ and training page to be sure that a trailhound is the right breed for you. Although we are based in Cumbria, we home hounds throughout the country.

Initial enquiries: 01697478383 (Sue) or 07773 252350 (Sue) or 07958 517366 (Barbara)

Email: sue@trailhoundwelfare.org.uk  OR barbara@trailhoundwelfare.org.uk

INTERESTED IN ADOPTING? –  Contact us and we will send you a pre adoption form. Once we know what you are looking for, we can see if we have a match. If you are interested in a hound listed below that is in another rehoming centre, contact the centre directly to register interest – their own homing criteria will apply.

Page updated on 03/06/2026

HOUND TRAILERS – Please ring Sue or Barbara if you have a hound you wish to rehome.
We can offer the following options:
* We can find a home privately for your hound (either with it staying with you until adopted OR for it to come into our care until adopted).
* We can send your hound to a trusted external rehoming centre, in which case they take over sole responsibility for it. We have been lucky to be supported by these centres for many years, and they find fantastic homes.
* If you decide to find a retirement home yourselves without our input, we are still happy to pay for neutering, and to assist with home checks, if you require it.
* If you have a hound that needs to come in urgently, we are always happy to try and help without a long wait.
* If you have a hound with a racing injury, please get in touch. We have previously found great homes for hounds, including amputees, once we have had their vet work done. We are happy to cover vet costs.
PLEASE RING US FOR A CHAT.

IF YOU CANNOT SEE ANY HOUNDS LISTED THEN CLICK ‘ADOPT A HOUND’ ON THE LINKS BAR ALONG THE TOP OF THE PAGE.

These 2 lovely hounds are looking for separate homes. Currently they are living with their racing owner on a farm in west Cumbria. 

Robbie is a red male trailhound who is looking for a retirement home. He has been around other dogs all his life and is a friendly boy. He is confident and friendly with people. Robbie has not lived with cats.  In the photos, his coat has been clipped shorter for racing. It will grow back over the next few months. Robbie would benefit from an active home, he may even enjoy running or canicross. He can be around dog-savvy children although he will need a home that will have the time to dedicate to training and exercising him. He will make a super pet.

13/06/2026 MADDIE HAS INTEREST  MADDIE aged 13 months, is friendly and playful around people and other dogs.  She does not have the drive to take part in trail racing so is looking for a pet home. She is sweet and friendly.

If you would like to find out more about either of these hounds, then please email or ring us for a chat. We home all over the country.

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.

CURRENTLY WITH SALISBURY DOGS TRUST

If you are after a big-hearted adventure buddy who brings joy (and a fair bit of laughter) everywhere he goes, Hartley might be just your lad. At three and a half years old, this Foxhound is a gorgeous blend of goofy charm, boundless curiosity and classic hound enthusiasm. If you are someone who enjoys a dog who makes friends everywhere he goes, Hartley will make your heart melt daily. He is wonderfully friendly with other dogs, leans in for fuss like the oversized teddy bear he is and treats every new person like a long-lost pal. He is endlessly curious, loves exploring new environments and is in his absolute element when he is using that incredible hound nose during tracking or scent games. Car journeys are a breeze with Hartley—he jumps straight into the boot without a second thought. You will just need a good-sized boot space to fit his impressive frame and keep him safely contained, especially as he can be a bit silly and animated with his happy tail while travelling. If you are looking for a cheerful, affectionate, slightly oversized clown who will brighten your days, keep you smiling and be a loyal companion to both you and your resident dog, Hartley might be exactly who you have been searching for.

For lots more rehoming  information about Hartley and some lovely video of the big lad, please check his rehoming page on the Dogs Trust website HERE

Meet our very sweet Chaz. She will be 7 years old in September. Chaz is in our care in north Cumbria. Chaz has settled in to living in a home and has been clean since being here. She loves people and other dogs. She will be looking for a relaxed home rather than going for big hikes. Please contact us for more details. CHAZ WILL BE NEYTURED ROUND THE END OF JUNE 2026. WE WOULD LOVE TO FIND A FOSTER HOME FOR HER IN THE MEANTIME WITHIN CUMBRIA. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE, PLEASE CONTACT SUE at sue@trailhoundwelfare.0rg.uk

Meet Polly. She is 3 years old. Polly is a petite 20kg hound and what she lacks in size, she makes up for in energy. She loves her walks so is looking for an active home. She is a very loveable girl, and loves to cuddle up on the sofa. She is with us in foster in north Cumbria.

Polly is the sweetest little hound you could meet, and we are loving having her stay with us. She is a fun and cheeky companion who loves to play with other dogs. She adores playing with toys, and carrying them around with her.

Polly will need a secure garden in a home in a rural and quiet location. Unexpected noises bother her. She is shy of new people but really comes out of her shell once she knows you. She gets on great with other dogs of all sizes and has lived among farm animals. She could live with older children who will understand the importance of keeping gates/doors closed. Polly would love to live with an outgoing dog to help her confidence. If you would like to know more about Polly, then call us or drop us an email. Polly met a cat in a house (under supervision) and, although she wasn’t trying to hurt it, she was very excited and not listening to the cat’s signals to leave her alone, so we are not going to home her with cats.

If you enjoy jogging or canicross, Polly may be a perfect running partner. A running friend has been taking Polly on runs on the fells, and she is loving it. Check out her videos on our Facebook  Facebook and  INSTAGRAM

09/10/2025 New running video on Instagram HERE

#adoptpollytrailhound      click photos to enlarge

POLLY’S HISTORY In case anyone wonders why Polly has been available for some time, it may help if we explain more of her history. When she was racing in 2024, she got lost on the fells. She was out for a number of days with no sightings, despite her family and friends searching daily for her. She was finally found on the 9th day. For this reason, we are being very careful of the home that we choose for her. It must meet her needs exactly.

March 2026 UPDATE Polly recently had a 2 week break in Devon to see if the home may suit her needs. Polly loved going for long country runs but was less keen on walking through the busy, and sometimes noisy, village. She loved cuddling up with the family on the sofa but was less happy in the garden which was surrounded by other cottages and their associated noises. Polly is very dog friendly but the young dog in the home was a bit too excited  by her presence, and was showing no signs of calming down. Ultimately , we all agreed that it was not quite right for her, but we learnt more about her needs. We absolutely know that a perfect home is out there for her.  Please contact us for a chat to find out more about Polly.

Bella and Mo are currently with their racing owner in west Cumbria. We are looking for separate homes for them.

Bella is just 8 years young. She is a gentle and friendly hound. She currently lives on a farm in west Cumbria with a variety of other animals. She will make a lovely pet for someone looking for a slightly older hound. We went for a walk with her family recently and she was very good on a lead. She is pictured with Dan who is one of her friends at the farm.

Mo is 7 years old. (tri colour in photo). She is a little bit shy and may be happier living with another dog. She is a very sweet hound who would love a sofa to cuddle up on.

If you are interested in finding out about either of these girls then please get in touch with us.

HARLOW IS NOT BEING HOMED BY TRAILHOUND WELFARE. INFO BELOW FROM HER CURRENT OWNERS:

Meet Harlow who is a 2 year old beagle mix (DOB 14/05/2024). She is a petite girl weighing just 12kg. Harlow was abandoned at a kill shelter in Northern Ireland when she was just five months old. Thankfully, she was taken in by a wonderful rescue and cared for by an amazing foster family. Sadly, with so many dogs needing homes, she waited quite a long time before finding a home.

When Harlow was 11 months old, we travelled to Northern Ireland to bring her home to Devon. Her puppy records say she’s a Beagle, but we think she’s definitely a Beagle x Hound mix, with her long hound legs, incredible sprint speed and impressive jumping ability!

Harlow is such a loving girl. She absolutely adores people and other dogs, loves snuggling up with her humans and makes friends everywhere she goes. She walks beautifully on her figure of eight lead and enjoys coffee shop trips for a pup cup and a good sniff around the city. Her recall isn’t fully there yet, but she’s doing brilliantly on a long line and responds especially well to the whistle, mainly because she knows Primula cheese is involved! She regularly enjoys playdates with her Beagle friends, especially in secure fields where she can really run and stretch her legs.

We have three children, and Harlow is wonderful with them. Nothing makes her happier than having all her humans home together and she gives the best welcomes when the kids come back from school. She absolutely loves toys, especially tough chew toys and will happily entertain herself for hours. Harlow loves to RUN  and could be a great partner for someone to do Canicross or park runs.

Harlow is:• Fully vaccinated• Neutered• Microchipped• Up to date with flea and worm treatment• Crate trained• Sleeps through the night

Making this decision has been heartbreaking, but we have to do what’s best for all of our dogs. We currently have three other Beagles (mum, dad, and puppy), and despite giving it over a year and trying everything we can, the dynamic simply isn’t working. Harlow hasn’t formed a bond with them, and it’s become clear that our busy household is likely too overstimulating for her.

We know she’s capable of beautiful bonds with other dogs, she has a Beagle best friend called Cookie, who she happily snuggles up with and plays alongside. We feel Harlow would thrive as an only dog.

A few important things to note:• She can jump very high, so a secure garden with high fencing is essential• She can be anxious in the car but settles much better when travelling in a crate• She may be vocal when first left alone, but settles quickly with a little classical music

Harlow deserves a loving home where she can truly thrive. This decision has not been made lightly, we just want the very best home for her.

CONTACT: Bec 07710479503 or beckywilson86@googlemail.com

Danny is on trial. Meet handsome Danny. He was born in January 2025 and is brother to lovely Teddy who we homed recently. Danny is with us in foster in north Cumbria. Danny is happy being in the house and gets on great with the hounds he is living with. He is used to cats and is fine around the other dogs on the farm. Danny is lively young boy who would love an active home so if you would like to know more then drop us an email or ring us. As we get to know Danny better we will add more information.

24/05/2026 MURPHY IS ON TRIAL Murphy is a handsome 4-year-old Trailhound bursting with love and personality. He is incredibly affectionate and adores people, he has grown up around a young child. Murphy would suit being an only dog in a rural, active or sporting home with someone who is dog savvy or has rehomed a Trailhound before and can give him the attention and structure he thrives on. A secure garden would be needed. He is very confident around new people and loves to love. He can be very enthusiastic around people and he is very food orientated.

Murphy will be staying with his racing owners in North Cumbria until his perfect home is found. Please email initial enquiries to us at trailhoundwelfare@hotmail.co.uk  If you would like to chat about Murphy then please ring 07824739710

Meet Norman who is 3 years old. He is such a sweet young dog. Lovely Norman has a slight neurological issue which we will discuss with interested people. It does not affect him as a pet. He has never raced but he stayed within his racing owners family as a house pet. Due to changes in circumstances, they feel Norman will be happier in a home that can give him more time.

• Norman is house trained
• Norman is neutered
• Norman is an active boy and needs an active home
• Norman loves to go running so would be a great candidate for Canicross, park runs or general keep fit runners
• Norman is used to living with dogs, children
• Norman does not jump over average sized fencing
• Norman lives in west Cumbria and would need prospective adopters to visit him there

Please email us for more details.

UPDATE November 2024 Lovely Norman went for a few days visit with a family in Cumbria who have another trailhound. The visit went really well and they completely fell in love with Norman, but sadly he did not take to living along with their cat, despite living with 3 cats all his life. So sadly he has gone back to his original home. The people he stayed with absolutely loved having him there and would recommend him to anyone so please get in touch if you would like to meet him. NO CATS though!