Training Hounds. 163 



makes it much easier to train him to hunt alone 

 than is possible with the English hound, whose 

 training is generally collectively in a pack rather 

 than individually. The English hounds seem 

 more susceptible to training or handling, as is 

 evidenced by their behavior and good manners in 

 the kennels and en route to and from covert. I 

 recall having seen a large pack of hounds handled 

 in a theater in London, taking a trail through the 

 lobby, down the aisle — lined on either side with 

 a screaming, yelling audience — through a pool of 

 water and out the exit. I ascertained these to be 

 a regularly hunted pack of hounds. While much 

 credit for this was undoubtedly due the handler, 

 I am sure no handler could so train a pack of 

 American hounds. 



It is a good idea to hunt young hounds with 

 light leather collars with your name plate on 

 them ; older hounds can be branded with any letter 

 you may select, which will generally identify them 

 should any dispute arise as to their ownership. 



Some hounds have a predilection for running 

 a dog's track. This is almost as bad a habit as 

 the mutton habit, and calls for equally prompt, 

 heroic, and energetic treatment. 



Some hounds are extremely fond of the di- 

 version to be found in rabbit-hunting, and are in- 

 defatigable in pursuit of it. If they are so in- 

 corrigible that you can not break them of the 



