Hound (heraldry)

Lore & Background

The hound appears in heraldry as a charge with several recognized variants. In English heraldry, the talbot (also called sleuth-hound) is commonly used, as seen in the arms of Wolseley of Staffordshire, alongside the greyhound and bloodhound. Rarer variants include the ratch-hound, mastiff (alant or aland), foxhound, spaniel, and terrier. The 'sea-dog' is a curious charge resembling the talbot but with scales, webbed feet, and a broad tail, used in the arms of Stourton barony, presumably originally depicting a beaver (as used in the Coat of arms of Oxford). Similar charges include the wolf and the fox.

Reader's Guide

The hound is a versatile heraldic charge, with its significance rooted in its depiction of loyalty, hunting, and nobility. The variety of attitudes—sejant, rampant, salient, passant (trippant), skipping, courant (sometimes blazoned 'in full chase' or 'in full course'), or questing (pointing)—allows for nuanced representation. The ears, tongue, and claws may be in different tinctures, and the hound is often shown gorged or collared. An early example of a blazon involving a dog (levrier) is that of Sir Perez Burdeux in Walford's Roll (Harley MS. 6589, c. 1275): 'porte d'or ou ung lev'er de gules, ou le collere de sable ou le bordure de sable besante dor' (or a hound gules collared sable, a border sable besanty or). The hound's legacy in heraldry endures as a symbol of fidelity and the hunt, with its many variants reflecting regional and stylistic preferences.

Did You Know?

• The talbot is also blazoned as sleuth-hound, e.g., in the arms of Wolseley of Staffordshire.
• The 'sea-dog' charge resembles the talbot but has scales, webbed feet, and a broad tail.
• German heraldry distinguishes three variants: Windhund (greyhound), Bracke, and Rüde (also Dogge).
• An early blazon of a dog (levrier) appears in Walford's Roll (c. 1275) for Sir Perez Burdeux.