At its May 2026 meeting, the MFHA Board of Directors reviewed the organization’s policies regarding Leishmania in foxhounds. Following a review of the latest scientific research, and on the recommendation of the Veterinary Committee and the Hunting Committee, the Board determined that the existing hound show and performance trial rules no longer reflected our current understanding of how the disease is transmitted.
Please read the following letter for important updates to the MFHA rules regarding Leishmaniasis testing for Hound Shows and Performance Trials, and for an update to requirements for the Stud Book. This information is critical, and we urge you to carefully review the letter:
Dear Members,
At its May meeting, the MFHA Board of Directors reviewed the organization’s policies regarding Leishmania in foxhounds. Following a review of the latest scientific research, the Board determined that the existing hound show and performance trial rules no longer reflected our current understanding of how the disease is transmitted.
After more than 20 years of MFHA-funded research, it is now well established that the risk of Leishmania transmission at hound shows and performance trials is extremely low.
Current scientific evidence shows that Leishmania is transmitted primarily through breeding and direct blood-to-blood contact, specifically:
- From an infected dam to her puppies.
- From an infected sire to a bitch during breeding.
- Through direct blood-to-blood contact, such as serious fighting.
Research has shown that breeding infected hounds has been the primary reason the disease has persisted in the North American foxhound population since it was first identified in the 1980s. Based on these findings, the Board voted to update the MFHA Hound Show Rules, Performance Trial Rules, and Stud Book breeding requirements to reflect the best available science.
Hound Show and Performance Trial Rules
Prior to this action, the Hound Show Rules required:
“Any hunt with confirmed Leishmaniasis in their kennel must provide negative test results for each competing hound, from a licensed veterinarian, within six months of the show date.”
The MFHA Performance Trial Rules also required participating hounds to comply with all health and safety rules applicable to MFHA-sanctioned hound shows.
Effective January 1, 2028, these testing requirements for participation in hound shows and performance trials will be removed.
This decision was made because:
- Hounds at hound shows are housed separately and remain under the control of their handlers.
- At performance trials, the risk of transmission is considered very low when common-sense measures are taken to prevent fighting.
The Board recognizes that a small risk of blood-to-blood transmission could exist if serious fighting occurs during a performance trial. Therefore, each individual hunt should determine whether it is comfortable assuming that risk when choosing to participate.
Stud Book Breeding Requirements
The MFHA Stud Book previously contained no Leishmania testing requirements for breeding.
The Board approved the following addition to the Stud Book Rules:
(d) BREEDING. Hounds bred by a person or organization not primarily devoted to hunting acceptable quarry (fox, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, or drag) will not be considered to have hunted for the purpose of qualifying under this rule. Further, to register a hound in the MFHA Stud Book, both its sire and dam must demonstrate a negative serology test for Leishmania from an MFHA-sanctioned laboratory within three to six months prior to breeding.
Effective Date
These changes become effective January 1, 2028.
To register puppies in 2028 and thereafter:
- Breeding stock should be tested prior to breeding in 2027 for registration of litters in 2028.
- Puppies born before 2028 to be registered in 2028 or thereafter must have a negative test completed after one year of age.
- Any unentered or drafted hound born prior to 2028 must test negative after one year of age before being registered in the MFHA Stud Book.
These policy changes align MFHA rules with the current scientific understanding of Leishmania transmission while continuing to protect the long-term health of the North American foxhound population.
Thank you for your continued support of MFHA and its commitment to science-based decision making.