THE MODERN FOXHOUND 



the type is suited for work in such countries, 

 countries which consist for the most part of level 

 grass land or undulating ground. That sym- 

 metry and balance have been attained in the past 

 we cannot deny, for the foxhound of standard 

 type is symmetrical and well balanced, qualities 

 which are due to a great extent to the shows. 

 Ivooks are not everything however in a hound, 

 and working qualities should never be subor- 

 dinated to appearance. We have already men- 

 tioned the opinion of Mr. Parrington that the 

 present day standard type of hound is inferior 

 to his ancestors in nose, tongue, courage, and 

 stamina ; and in addition we may also add, he has 

 changed for the worst as regards height, bone, and 

 feet. We have already seen that most of the 

 famous hounds of the past were not more than 

 23 inches in height, as compared with the 24 or 

 25 inch hounds of to-day, and with regard to bone 

 and feet, these points are fully dealt with in sub- 

 sequent chapters. 



The three great hound shows, Peterborough, 

 Reigate, and Exeter, have served auseful purpose 

 inasmuch as they for a time raised the standard 

 of foxhound excellence. In addition they have 

 tended to popularise hunting and encourage 

 breeders. These are all very laudable attain- 

 ments, but to-day the shows have gone beyond 

 the strictly utility point of view, and have given 

 undue encouragement towards breeding for certain 

 show points. The same thing has happened, 

 only to a much greater degree, in the case of gun- 

 dogs and other breeds. Take smooth and wire- 

 haired fox terriers for example. At one time they 

 were a valuable working strain, but to-day the 

 majority are useless for underground work. 

 Most dogs of the show type are too big to go up 



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