CHAPTER VII 



HOUNDS 



The origin of the hound is so ancient that it 

 is quite lost in the mists of antiquity, but the 

 foxhound as we know him to-day is undoubtedly 

 a modern product. The hounds that the Nor- 

 mans hunted with were probably of the type of 

 the St. Hubert breed, and these were gradually 

 improved by selection until the elegant muscular 

 hound of to-day was evolved, a marvel of strength, 

 symmetry, and endurance. What the hounds 

 were like in the Tudor and Stuart periods can 

 scarcely be determined, for, judging from the 

 pictures of their horses, if any likenesses are 

 extant of their hounds they must be very far 

 from being true to nature. During George III.'s 

 reign, however, many portraits were limned of 

 famous hounds which would compare favourably 

 with the winners at a modern Peterborough 

 Show, though no doubt the rank and file of 

 that day were far behind our present packs as 

 far as symmetry and good looks are concerned. 

 Even forty years ago, hounds could be found 

 in most of the fashionable kennels that would 

 not be put forward by many an unpretentious 

 kennel to-day when the puppies are being 



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