The Hound. 127 



as a fault, but with us it is proof of sagacity in 

 a hound and many a pack would be returned to 

 the kennel after a day's blank drawing were it 

 not for the skirters. 



I have also heard It asserted that if a hound 

 were ''too heely" (fast) for the pack, it would 

 be considered a fault, and he would be disposed 

 of, as would a hound with too much tongue. 



That they do not encourage these two quali- 

 ties, I am inclined to believe, for I never saw an 

 English hound with either surplus speed or 

 tongue. 



I have always been partial to the medium size 

 in hounds; the small hounds are usually very ac- 

 tive and possess great powers of endurance, but 

 are at a disadvantage when running through 

 heavy weeds, bushes, and briers, and are handi- 

 capped by tall fences. 



The large hounds can not stand the heat, and 

 the constant pounding on rough, rocky ground 

 soon puts them upon crutches. If hounds were 

 required to take up a handicap or impost of 15 

 or 20 pounds weight, then the English type of 

 hound would be strictly in it, but as nose, speed, 

 and endurance are the qualities necessary to suc- 

 cessfully cope with our red fox, I fail to appre- 

 ciate this extra weight carrying capacity or see 

 the necessity of having a hound whose weight of 

 bone in foreleg and shoulder will outweigh all 

 the bones in the frame of his quarry. 

 9 



