OF SPAYING BITCHES 31 



Young hounds ought to be fed twice a day, as they seldom take kindly 

 at first to the kennel meat, and the distemper is most apt to seize them at this 

 time. It is better not to round them till they are thoroughly settled ; nor 

 should it be put off till the hot weather, for then they would bleed too much. 1 

 If any of the dogs be thin over the back, or any more quarrelsome than the 

 rest, it will be of use to cut them : I also spay such bitches as I think I shall 

 not want to breed from ; they are more useful, are stouter, and are always in 

 better order ; besides, it is absolutely necessary, if you hunt late in the 

 spring, or your pack will be very short for want of it. It may be right to 

 tell you, that the latter operation does not always succeed ; it will be neces- 

 sary, therefore, to employ a skilful person, and one on whom you can depend ; 

 for, if it be ill done, though they cannot have puppies, they will go to heat 

 notwithstanding, of which I have known many instances ; and that, I 

 apprehend, would not answer your purpose, at any rate. They should be 

 kept low for several days before the operation is performed, and must be 

 fed on thin meat for some time after. 



You ask me, what number of young hounds you should breed, to keep 

 up your stock ? It is a question, I believe, that no man can answer. It 

 depends altogether on contingencies. The deficiencies of one year must be 

 supplied the next. I should apprehend, from thirty to thirty-five couple of 

 old hounds, and from eight to twelve couple of young ones, would, one year 

 with another, best suit an establishment which you do not intend should 

 much exceed forty couple. This rule you should at the same time 

 observe never to part with a useful old hound, or enter an unhandsome 

 young one. 



I would advise you, in breeding, to be as little prejudiced as possible in 

 favour of your own sort ; but send your best bitches to the best dogs, be 

 they where they may. Those who breed only a few hounds, may by chance 

 have a good pack ; while those who breed a great many (if, at the same time, 

 they understand the business) reduce it to a certainty. You say, you wish 

 to see your pack as complete as Mr. Meynell's : believe me, my good friend, 

 unless you were to breed as many hounds, it is totally impossible. Those 

 who breed the greatest number of hounds have a right to expect the best 

 pack ; at least, it must be their own fault if they have it not. 



1 It may be better, perhaps, to round them at their quarters, when about six months old ; 

 should it be done sooner, it would make their ears tuck up. The tailing of them is usually 

 done before they are put out ; it might be better, perhaps, to leave it till they are taken in. 

 Dogs must not be rounded at the time they have the distemper upon them ; the loss of blood 

 would weaken them too much. 



