64 THE FOXHOUND 



he wrote (1781), has nothing to say upon the 

 question. That eminent French authority, Count Le 

 Couteulx de Canteleu, believes that the Foxhound 

 came from a cross betwen the Sleuthhound and the 

 Greyhound, but the late Mr. J. Neville Fitt rejected 

 this conjecture. According to Mr. Edwin B rough, 

 that gentleman looked upon the Foxhound as a 

 hound of pure race> well developed, and known long 

 before fox-hunting had become an acknowledged 

 national sport. In the reign of James I. he was 

 known as the fleet Northern Hound, which was used 

 on a drag for the purpose of training horses for 

 racing. Mr. Brough, not finding any mention of 

 the Northern Hound previous to the reign of the 

 first Stuart, whereas the Bloodhound is mentioned 

 in the time of Henry III., thinks it not difficult to 

 believe that nearly four centuries would be ample 

 time in which to develop the Northern Hound from 

 the Talbot or Bloodhound. 



As we know him to-day, it is almost impossible 

 to conceive any hound more peculiarly fitted for 

 his work than the Foxhound. He has strength, 

 endurance, and courage sufficient to sustain him 

 through the most arduous day. Careful selection 

 has equipped him with perfect legs and feet, 

 quarters, and muscular development. Beckford's 

 description still remains good : " There are neces- 

 sary points in the shape of a hound which ought 

 always to be attended to by a sportsman ; for if 

 he be not of a perfect symmetry, he will neither 

 run fast nor bear much work ; he has much to 

 undergo, and should have strength proportioned to 

 it. Let his legs be straight as arrows, his feet 

 round and not too large, his shoulders big, his 



