THE MODERN GREYHOUND. 17 



that their supreme object of filling the bag is attained; for 

 with such a murderous crew the hare gets no law. 



Before discussing the points of the dog seriatim, 

 it will, I think, be necessary to briefly glance at what 

 a dog is required to do in a course, and that for two 

 reasons : First, because I hold that all dogs should be 

 judged in the show ring by their apparent suitability for 

 their special work; and secondly, because this book may 

 fall into the hands of many who are real lovers of the dog, 

 and genuine sportsmen at heart, but who, from various 

 circumstances, have never had an opportunity of seeing a 

 course, or that so rarely as to be practically unacquainted 

 with its merits. 



The remarks of the inexperienced on a course are often 

 amusing. The most common mistake made by the tyro 

 is that the dog which kills the hare always wins, irrespec- 

 tive of other considerations a most excusable error on 

 the part of the novice, as in most or all other descriptions 

 of racing the first at the post or object is the winner; 

 but in coursing it is not which is first there, but which 

 has done most towards accomplishing the death of the 

 hare, or put her to the greatest straits to escape. Be it 

 here understood, that the object of the courser and 

 that of the dogs differ materially. The dogs' object is 

 the death of the hare; the courser's object is to test the 

 relative speed, working abilities, and endurance of the 

 competitors, as shown in their endeavours to accomplish 

 their object : and the possession of the hare is of little 

 consequence, except to the pothunter or currant-jelly 

 devotee, who is quite out of the pale of genuine coursing 

 society. 



c 



