FOXES FOXHOUNDS & FOX-HUNTING 



that a hound possesses both nose and tongue, two 

 very desirable qualities in any hound, but es- 

 pecially so in those of the moorland and fell type, 

 as well as in those which hunt extensive wood- 

 lands. A clean neck is nice enough to look at, 

 but it should be remembered that " handsome 

 is as handsome does," for mute hounds are all 

 too common nowadays, in fact some packs say 

 so little about it that they can barely be heard 

 two fields away. A mute hound should be 

 drafted at once ; because he cannot always be 

 watched, and will spoil many a run by getting 

 away " on his own." 



As to size, a hound of twenty -three inches or 

 under is, in nine cases out of ten, a much better 

 all round performer than one of twenty four or 

 five inches. It is easier to breed good little 'uns 

 than good big 'uns, and they last longer, as well 

 as being less expensive to keep. 



With regard to stamina and constitution, 

 hounds of the standard type appear to compare 

 unfavourably with those in the past, as well as 

 with other t5rpes, such as the fell and Welsh 

 hounds, in use to-day. Many hounds are drafted 

 at the end of their fourth season, presumably 

 because they can no longer run up, while abnormal 

 sized litters, containing a preponderance of female 

 puppies, are only too common nowadays. This 

 is a sure sign of weak constitution, brought on by 

 close in-breeding to fix and retain type. At 

 present a hound which wins championship honours 

 at Peterborough immediately becomes sought 

 after as a sire. His reputation in the field has 

 been gained in his first season, after which, owing 

 to stud duties, he seldom appears with the pack. 

 There is therefore no reliable information con- 

 cerning his staunchness, stamina, and other 



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