Hounds and Terriers. 45 



It should be quite possible to get together a mixed 

 pack of ten couple of working hounds for £^o, and 

 for 100 guineas an even larger pack, containing 

 some really good hounds, ought to be obtainable. 

 For smooth hounds an average of £^ a couple ought 

 not to be exceeded in forming a new pack ; for the 

 true rough Otter-hound, from a ''crack" kennel 

 like the Dumfriesshire, this figure will be greatly 

 exceeded. It will be found almost impossible to 

 purchase singly a reliable marking hound, for the 

 simple reason that no one will sell any such ; they 

 are too rare and too valuable to be parted with by 

 their fortunate possessors. 



Terriers for Otter-hunting do not usually run into 

 money. A couple of guineas apiece is about the 

 average. It is usual to buy them young and cheap, 

 and ''make" them afterwards; but a really game 

 dog who never tells a lie is worth a fair price. 



The feeding of Otter-hounds is not so expensive 

 as that of packs which are required to do their 

 hardest work during the winter months, because less 

 flesh is necessary to keep them in condition. In the 

 summer, when they are at work, very little flesh meat 

 will keep them fit, and horseflesh is cheap since there 

 is but little demand for it in fox-hound and harrier 

 kennels at this time of year. During the winter, 

 when hounds are resting, even less flesh meat is 

 necessary ; but they should get their two hours' road 



