COURSING. 447 



larger than they really are. A variety is coining into 

 favor in this country having a longer and softer coat than 

 the older dogs. The coat, though quite like that of the 

 collie or Newfoundland, lacks that close under-coat which 

 is the real protection against inclement weather, and, 

 when wet, they have a drabbled appearance, which will 

 detract from their usefulness as a rough country worker. 



They are, as a rule, intelligent and affectionate to 

 their owner; but when in the field show undoubted cour- 

 age, and are emphatically killers. 



They are gradually becoming more numerous in this 

 country, and will in time be found a necessity, with the 

 other types of greyhounds, in destroying the wolf and 

 coyote, which are gaining in numbers in the Western 

 country to a dangerous extent. 



They have been employed successfully in the Rocky 

 Mountains in hunting elk, deer, and other large game, 

 and in coursing antelope on the plains. In the lowlands 

 of Scotland, they are used for coursing hares, but are a 

 smaller variety. 



THE ENGLISH GREYHOUND 



Is pre-eminently the most popular form of the greyhound 

 family, and has been brought nearer to a state of 

 perfection. 



As the larger game became nearly or quite extinct in 

 England, and the hare only remained for the greyhound 

 to pursue, he was gradually reduced in size, the coat 

 became closer, and speed and ability to turn more clev- 

 erly was cultivated, and for over 100 years they have 

 been employed in scientific contests; and to-day they are 

 nearly a match for the swiftest hare in this country or 

 in England, but, like the thoroughbred horse, have 

 undoubtedly reached the height of speed possible to 

 attain, and only now arid then one appears having 



