and.. sorry to follow myself up... here's what originally swung it for me - there are literally thousands of hounds bread for hunting. they don't make good pets, they aren't hous trained or lead trained or anything like that. they need lots of space, lots of time, they'll disappear into the countryiside given half a chance.
the RSPCA won't want them all - what will happen to them????
they'll get shot thats what. :-(