THE FELL HOUNDS 65 



him tailing behind his fellows. Quality of food, 

 and thickness — in fact, the thicker the better — has 

 everything to do with hounds keeping their con- 

 dition. It should never be forgotten that the 

 superior condition of the hounds over that of the 

 fox, is the chief factor in enabling them to bring 

 their quarry to hand- 



The fell hound, like his relations in the Shires, 

 is sent out to walk as a puppy. A great deal 

 depends upon his treatment during this period of 

 his existence. The majority of fell hounds are 

 walked at farmhouses, where they are assured of 

 suJB&cient liberty, and become accustomed to 

 knocking about amongst sheep, thus quickly 

 learning that mutton on the hoof is strictly taboo to 

 a hound. 



When out on the fell with the shepherds, the 

 puppy soon learns to chase hares, which teach him 

 to get his nose down and hunt. He may also get 

 to know the scent of a fox long before he becomes 

 a working member of the pack. The shepherds' 

 cur dogs often unkennel foxes on the fells, and 

 occasionally roll them over. 



A sharp cur dog is much handier and quicker 

 than the fastest hound in rough ground, and 

 generally possesses an excellent nose ; therefore, if 

 Reynard gets up close in front of such an one, it 

 means a close shave if nothing worse. 



After the dispersal of the Sedbergh Foxhounds, 



