60 FOXHUNTING ON LAKELAND FELLS 



a hound which takes a Hking to mutton on the hoof, 

 for he can never be thoroughly trusted afterwards. 

 In judging the appearance of a Lv...xid from a 

 utihty view-point, many people are apt to pay 

 much more attention to the fore hmbs than the 

 hind. This is a great mistake, for pace, freedom of 

 action, and power to overcome obstacles, such as 

 high stone waUs, are much more dependent on 

 the hind hmbs than the fore. The power which 

 enables a hound to spring up a high bank, or heave 

 himself on to the top of a waU, is entirely developed 

 from the hind quarters, and, as I have already 

 mentioned, the small, compact hound that can get 

 his hocks well under him is much better fitted for 

 jumping than the big hound. In judging the 

 hind quarters, particular attention should be given 

 to the muscular development of the second thigh 

 as well as to the same development of the inside of 

 the leg. A tendency towards " cow hocks," i.e. 

 a deviation from the straight hne between the 

 hock and ground, should be condemned. A " cow- 

 hocked " hound hfts his hind quarters higher than 

 he should at each stride when traveUing fast, the 

 reason being a want of flexion due to shortened 

 tendons inside. In other words, the more acute 

 the angle between the foot and the stifle joint the 

 shorter are the tendons that work the feet. This 

 means reduced spring in the latter, and a conse- 

 quent loss of propulsive power. 



