lyo ROYAL ROCK BEAGLE HUNT. 



Since the institution of the show at Peterborough these points have 

 somewhat varied. At that show the judges are prone to give more marks for 

 legs and feet than for any of the other points. On this subject J. W. Macfie 

 Avrites : — 



The danger I see is, that the foxhound being the hound of the country, and 

 the eyes of most judges being educated to the foxhound tj'pe, that tj-pe will be 

 fixed on to harriers and beagles. Foxhounds are judged mainly by shape, and 

 legs and feet. Musical points are of no weight ; ears are alwaj's rounded, so 

 they don't count. Now with foot-hounds music is one of the greatest charms ; 

 but music and large heads, with long ears and big throats, mostly go together, 

 and the serious difficulty is, that good heads and long ears have a strong ten- 

 dency to be carried by crooked legs and hare-feet. The Peterborough judging 

 has, in my opinion, followed the foxhoimd, in preferring straight legs to good 

 heads. The R.R.B. type of sixteen-inch beagle hound is the oldest, and best for 

 foot work ; and although I believe the crooked, hare-footed legs, to which they 

 have a tendenc}^ will wear just as well as the foxhound type of legs, still by 

 judicious breeding and selection, the music, heads, and ears can be combined 

 with good straight legs. 



Tradition has limited the names of hounds to suitable words of either 

 two or three syllables. In the latter case they must be dactyls; tliat is, with 

 the accent on the first syllable. It would be a solecism to call a hound Dash, 

 Jack, Spot, or Prince, or any name of one syllable. Also, any name of three 

 syllables with the accent not on the first : such as Aurora, Dissenter, Crusader, 

 would be considered irregular. Most books of sport give a list of names 

 from which it is usual for Masters to make a selection, and it is customary to 

 choose a name with the same initial as that of the dam. 



1l3oun^3 in Ifccnncl. 



" Here kennel'd in a brake she liiids a liouiid, 

 And asks the weary caitiff for his master ; 

 And there another Hcking of his wound, 



'Gainst venom'd sores the only sovereign plaster." 



Veu2ts and AJo'iis. 



The health of hounds, their condition and fitness for work, depend 

 almost entirely on kennel management. With a good kennel huntsman, it is 

 equally essential to have suitable and convenient buildings in which to house, 

 tend, and feed the hounds. Full and elaborate descriptions of kennels, and 

 instructions for management, may be found in all books of sport. Masters 

 of foxhounds spend large sums in fitting-up and maintaining their kennels to 

 the best and most approved standards. 



First let the kennel be the huntsman's care, 



Upon some little eminence erect. 



And fronting to the ruddy dawn; its courts 



On cither hand wide op'ning to receive 



The sun's all-cheering beams, when mild he shines. 



And gilds the mountain tops : for much the pack 



