HOUNDS 110 



drafted ; and " John Warde's neckcloth " was 

 then to be seen in every pack, however smart. 

 Whether our hounds of to-day have as good 

 noses as their predecessors is an oft-discussed 

 question, but though good looks are possibly 

 made more a point of than formerly, it is probably 

 the case that the nose in most cases is there, 

 if only the hound has the opportunity frequently 

 accorded him of perfecting himself in using it. 

 The life of a foxhound is now most artificial 

 from the time he enters the kennel, and except 

 when he is actually out hunting all chance of 

 employing his nose is denied in an ordinary way. 

 How few opportunities he gets a moment's 

 reflection will show. Taking one season with 

 another let us suppose a pack, hunting two days 

 in the week, including cub-hunting, is out 

 fifty times ; then, if the hound is lucky enough 

 to be out every time, steering clear of all 

 accidents and ailments, he gets only fifty oppor- 

 timities in the year of educating his nose, while 

 we all know what a long time it usually takes 

 our own pets, whether pointer, setter, spaniel, 

 retriever, or terrier, before the young dog can 

 find, and hold, a scent of game like the cunning 

 old hero of many seasons. And yet our young 

 dog probably is taken out for a run amongst 

 game every day of the year — if, indeed, he is not 

 constantly running about loose — and consequently 

 gets as many opportunities of snuffing about, 

 and learning to use his nose, as there are days 

 in the year. In all probability the ancient 

 hounds had much more freedom than the present 

 ones have, and were treated more like trencher- 

 fed hounds, and if so their noses would be bound 

 to serve the puppies better than would those 



