274 OTTER-HUNTING 



water. He has a deep voice with a bell-like tone, 

 which makes one think it probable that he and 

 the bloodhound had a common ancestor. 



The otter-hound was formerly about sixteen 

 inches and not very straight on the leg, but of 

 great strength and endurance. In the last fifty 

 years the standard has been raised gradually, and 

 now there are few under twenty inches. The tall 

 hound has this advantage, that except in deep 

 pools he can wade whilst the smaller sort are 

 swimming, and it is the swimming which tires 

 them out. Were it not for this reason I think 

 I should prefer a pack of strong sixteen-inch 

 hounds, as you would then be able to keep up 

 easily on foot. 



I hope the pure otter-hound will not be allowed 

 to disappear and become merged in a cross : it 

 is doubtful what such a cross, however successful 

 it might be at first, would eventually produce. 

 There are many good qualities in the old otter- 

 hound mixed up with not a few vices ; but if 

 breeders would give their attention to this material, 

 with care and judicious selection they might in a 

 few generations raise up a hound that would be 

 far more satisfactory than any cross. 



