FOXES FOXHOUNDS & FOX-HUNTlNCx 



past stood no more than 23 inches in height, and 

 they were remarkable for their working abiHty 

 and stamina. To them the majority of present 

 day hounds trace their origin. Of the large 

 hounds bred in the past no trace of their descend- 

 ants can be found to-day, except in a very few 

 cases. This points to the fact that hound-breeders 

 of that time set greater store by small hounds, 

 whereas to-day many Peterborough champions 

 are nearer 25 than 24 inches in height. 



Prior to the institution of Peterborough show 

 in 1896, less important shows had been held at 

 Malton, York, and Beverley, the first meeting 

 of the kind having been inaugurated by Mr. 

 Thomas Parrington, at Redcar. This gentleman 

 was also to a great extent responsible for the 

 institution of the now famous annual show at 

 Peterborough. Mr. Parrington had had a very 

 long experience of hounds, and it was his opinion 

 that the hounds of standard t3rpe to-day, while 

 superior to their ancestors in conformation, 

 are inferior in the matter of nose, courage, 

 tongue, and stamina. Although there are 

 doubtless many who will disagree with this state- 

 ment, we are convinced that as regards hounds 

 of the standard t3rpe in general, it is perfectly 

 correct. When Peterborough show was first 

 instituted, the promoters no doubt had in mind 

 the attainment of symmetry and balance that 

 would produce not only a good looking pack of 

 hounds, but one suited — owing to the perfect 

 balance of individual hounds^to do the greatest 

 amount of work in the field with the least possible 

 amount of wear and tear. Keeping in mind the 

 fact that the standard type of hound was evolved 

 and perfected by breeders who hunted in the 

 Shires and countries adjoining, we must agree that 



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