CHAPTER IV 



HOUNDS AND TERRIERS 



THE average otterhound pack to-day is usually 

 composed of foxhounds, cross-bred hounds, and a 

 few couples of pure, rough-coated otterhounds. 

 In the old days the latter predominated in most 

 packs, and it is only of late years that the foxhound 

 has come to the fore in the pursuit of Lutra. 



The origin of the rough-coated hound is more 

 or less shrouded in mystery, but it is pretty safe to 

 say that he is closely related to the bloodhound. 

 If true to type he possesses many of the blood- 

 hound's characteristics, including the long pen- 

 dulous ears, the deep-set eye showing the haw, and 

 the black and tan colour which so often predomin- 

 ates. The rough coat was gained by a cross of 

 some sort, but it is impossible to say with certainty 



112 



