Hound Breeding 173 



joints. In order to stamp out that serious defect, Sampson, 

 quite a faulty hound in some respects, is selected because in 

 bone and straightness of legs he is nearly perfection. 

 Brightlight cannot be coupled with Overton, who would 

 suit her in every respect except that they both have rather 

 large feet. Thus we might go on enumerating combina- 

 tions without end. 



Then, aside from producing hounds with the straightest 

 legs, the roundest cat-like feet, the deepest chests, the 

 stoutest shoulders and loins, the best of tongues, and the 

 greatest fling and drive, there must also of course be the most 

 delicate noses. The most difficult problem of all is to breed 

 hounds with size and at the same time with quality. The 

 suggestions made in the chapter on breeding horses may 

 be applied here with equal benefit. 



Enough has been said to show what it means to produce 

 a perfect hound and to give an idea of the value and inter- 

 est the Master and huntsman must have in every puppy 

 considered good enough to come out in the yearly entry. 

 I have lingered a bit on this subject in my anxiety to 

 acquaint those unfamiliar with the life of a foxhound with 

 something more concerning his history. I desire that 

 when my supposititious novice finally comes out to hunt he 

 may appreciate the animals he is riding after as well as the 

 one that carries him, and somewhat share the Master's and 

 huntsman's feelings in regard to what they call their *' price- 

 less beauties." Besides, it will add much to his interest in 

 the game. 



Now let us hark back to the kennels. The whelping 

 season is approaching. The bitches at this time require 



