4 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



selves ; and with regard to sires, it is far better to 

 put one of four or five years' experience to younger 

 bitches, than to use those of the same age. There 

 are faults in form also, as well as in faculties : we 

 rarely see an animal of faultless proportions. It 

 has been generally held amongst agriculturists, that 

 cattle, sheep, and pigs should be short on their legs 

 and light in bone ; but we remember hearing Mr. 

 Northeast, a celebrated breeder of Southdown sheep, 

 and steward of the late Assheton Smith, express 

 a contrary opinion. We were looking over the 

 entry at Tedworth during the master's absence, and 

 I pointed out a young hound of lengthy frame, 

 standing very low. 



" Yes, sir, that j^oung hound is very clever, and 

 what breeders of foxhounds so much admire — 

 very near the ground ; but we breeders of sheep 

 like them rather hio^h on the leoj." 



" Why ? " we asked. 



"For two reasons," was his reply, — "first, be- 

 cause they stand well up in the penning when at 

 the fair ; and secondly, because they come cleaner 

 into the fold at night. After walking over greasy 

 fallows, short-legged animals would have the dirt 

 sticking to their bellies in wet weather, and be 

 useless as a working flock.'' 



We were satisfied with this observation, which 

 has held a place in our memory ever since, con- 

 firming us in the opinion that horses and hounds 

 may be bred also too low on the leg. 



Upon the essential points in the framework of a 

 foxhound, which, combined or properly connected, 



