286 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



As I stated above, the question of size is one on which, 

 there is a diversity of opinion. I shall not argue the question 

 here, or give my views either for or against the large or small 

 Beagle, but will say, for the benefit of the novice, or inex- 

 perienced who may contemplate purchasing Beagles, that it 

 is usually a safe method, when lacking practical knowledge 

 or experience, to be governed by the choice of what the 

 majority would prefer or select. The great majority of our 

 practical Beagle men, who use their Beagles for field pur- 

 poses, such as the late General Rowett, Pottinger Dorsey, 

 F. C. Phoebus, of the Somerset Kennels, A. H. Wakefield, 

 Louis Smith, Dr. C. E. Nichols, W. F. Rutter, W. S. 

 Clark, George Laick, and others, prefer what is com- 

 paratively speaking the large Beagle; by that is com- 

 monly meant a Beagle close in height to the limit allowed 

 by the American Beagle Club's standard fifteen inches. 

 The writer himself prefers this last-mentioned type of 

 Hound, and contends that where a Hound of a certain speed 

 is desired it is preferable to obtain it in a comparatively 

 large Hound than in a smaller one, as the former, necessa- 

 rily, will be built more on the lines of endurance than those 

 of speed, while the latter will be built more on the lines of 

 speed than endurance, and while the desired speed is ob- 

 tained in either, the former will combine it with the greater 

 endurance and staying powers a most important requisite 

 in a Hound. Thus, if a twelve-inch and fifteen-inch Hound 

 are bred to hunt at about a certain pace, the latter must be 

 a Hound of more substance and bottom than the former or 

 it will be the speedier; and, as a result, while it has the 

 desired speed, it also combines the power to hunt longer 

 than the former. 



STANDARD AND POINTS OF JUDGING THE BEAGLE. 



Value. Value. 



Skull 5 Ribs 5 



Ears 15 Fore legs and feet 10 



Eyes 10 Hips, thighs, and hind legs 10 



Muzzle, jaws, and lips 5 Tail 5 



Neck : 5 Coat 5 



Shoulders and chest 10 



Back and loins .15 Total . . . 100 



