8o British Dogs. 



These small hounds are spoken of by Oppian as one of the kind of dogs 

 peculiar to the ancient Britons : 



There is a kind of dog of mighty fame 



For hunting ; woithy of a fairer frame ; 



By painted Britons brave in war they're bred, 



Are beagles called, and to the chase are led, 



Their bodies small, and of so mean a shape, 



You'd think them curs that under tables gape. 



Not only in the time of Elizabeth, but in our own, there has been an 

 occasional rage for very diminutive Beagles, and much emulation in pro- 

 ducing the most perfect liliputian hound. The writer of the article on 

 this breed in " The Dogs of the British Islands" describes Mr. Crane's 

 Southover Beagles as perfect in symmetry and excellent in nose and in- 

 telligence, and not exceeding 9in. in height, and all of them model 

 miniature hounds. It is to be regretted that the Beagle is not more en- 

 couraged by committees . of shows, and that, when a class is made for 

 them, all sizes are lumped together. 



I have spoken of the Beagle as a dwarf hound, which he is, but there 

 is a considerable difference in outline between him and the modern fox- 

 hound ; the former is not so clean in the shoulder, his head is different in 

 shape, the skull being in proportion broader and flatter, and the jaw 

 shorter, the ear longer, and there is always more or less dewlap or 

 throatiness. 



Beagles may be fairly classified as hare Beagles and rabbit Beagles, 

 other distinction than size being minor. Their power of scent is ex- 

 quisitely keen and their intelligence great, and when well sorted in 

 these respects and in size, work wonderfully together, puzzling out even 

 the coldest scent, whilst their music is most charming. 



Although occasionally, they are not much used with the gun, except in 

 driving woods and spinnies for rabbits, &c. 



Of whatever size, the Beagle should be shapely, as free from lumpy 

 shoulders as possible, legs straight, and more bone and stronger pasterns 

 than is generally seen would be an improvement ; the ears are very long, 

 hang close, and are very fine in the leather ; ribs rather more rounded 

 than in the foxhound, with the back ribs well let down ; back and loins 

 strong, and hind quarters very cobby and muscular ; the tail roughish and 

 gaily carried. The colours are various, as in the harrier, and chosen to 

 suit individual tastes. 



