68 THE GREYHOUND. 



in the forms it assumes, and requires such different treat- 

 ment according to its several phases, that I cannot properly 

 discuss the subject here, and must refer the reader to my 

 small book, written for amateurs, " The Diseases of 

 Dogs."* 



When the Greyhound is old enough to be slipped at 

 a hare that is, about ten to twelve months old he is called 

 a sapling. He does not then properly enter upon his 

 career of coursing; that begins the season following, when 

 he runs through the whole of it as a puppy. There are 

 a few sapling stakes instituted at some coursing meetings, 

 their object being to see and compare the style of running 

 of the youngsters from the different kennels. These are 

 merely trial stakes, and, that the dogs may not be dis- 

 tressed, are limited to four entries; so that at the most 

 a dog can have but two courses, as two of those entered 

 fall in the first round, and the two victors run against 

 each other in the deciding course. Trials of saplings, 

 for the most part, however, take place privately, and it is 

 one of the weeding-out processes of the courser's kennel. 

 The object for which the Greyhound is bred and reared 

 with so much care, and at so much expense, must never 

 be lost sight of. He has not merely to kill his hare that, 

 indeed, may be said to be but a small part of what is 

 expected from him, and often a Lurcher would do it with 

 more certainty but he must kill it under strictly-defined 

 conditions, already given; or, if he does not kill, he 

 must have contributed more towards the killing of her 

 than his opponent, to be awarded the victory. 



* " The Diseases of Dogs : their Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment " 

 (I.. Upcott Gill, 170, Strand, London). 



