THE OTTERHOUND. 71 



Welsh harrier. It is a moot point, whether this roughness is 

 obtained by crossing, or whether it is attributable to careful selec- 

 tion ouh' ; but I am inclined to think that as the full melodious 

 note of the hound is retained, there is no cross of the terrier or of 

 the deerhound, which two breeds divide between them the credit 

 of bestowing their coats upon the otterhound. Anyhow it is a 

 distinct breed in the present day ; and, Avith the shape I have 

 described, it unites all the characteristics of the old southern hound, 

 in dwelling on the scent, in delicacy of nose, and in want of dash. 

 Whether the power of swimming has been obtained by any cross 

 Avith the water-spaniel is also a disputed point, but as I do not 

 believe in any peculiar swimming power inherent in that breed, I 

 am not inclined to attribute that of the otterhound to a cross with 

 it, especially as the foxhound swims equally well. 



As these hounds have to compete with a very savage and hard- 

 biting animal, they must of necessity be fearless and hardy ; and 

 as for their specific purposes those which are not so have been re- 

 jected, it happens that the breed has become unusually savage, and 

 that they are constantly fighting in kennel. Indeed, instances are 

 common enough of more than half being destroyed in a single 

 night, in the bloody fight which has been commenced by perhaps 

 a single couple, but soon ending in a general scrimmage. No dog 

 bites more savagely, and, unlike the bulldog, the hold is not firmly 

 retained, but the teeth are torn out with great force the instant the 

 hold is taken. The usual height of the otterhound is from 22 to 

 25 inches in the dogs, the bitches being somewhat lower. 



