56 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



their ears, if not cut short, would be sadly torn 

 by briars and tliorns, causing continual sores and 

 ulcerations, and thereby daily pain. Rounding, 

 although a painful operation, saves foxhounds from 

 a great deal of suffering in after life, and without 

 it they would not work as they ought to do, 

 through gorse-brakes and blackthorns, with any 

 degree of comfort. We have heard the old saying, 

 " as sulky as a bear with a sore ear," and conclude 

 that hounds similarly afflicted would not feel parti- 

 cularly anxious to increase their sores by extra 

 scratchings through coverts — although no animal of 

 the canine species possesses more resolution and 

 courao^e than a well-bred foxhound. 



Harriers, on the contrary, having as a general 

 rule to find and pursue their game in the open 

 fields, do not necessarily require any abridgment 

 to the natural length of their ears ; and in bygone 

 time pendulous appendages of this kind were con- 

 sidered great recommendations to hare-hunters. 

 For the purpose of rounding, a block of hard-grained 

 wood, about the length of tlie hound's head, with a 

 smooth even surface, is required, upon which the 

 ear is laid out, and with one blow of a 

 wooden mallet on the handle of the half-circular 

 iron, the operation is over, and the other side of 

 the head turned round to complete the business. 

 The assistance of two other men is required, one 

 to hold the hound to the block, and the other 

 behind to prevent his pulling back, whilst the 

 huntsman performs the part of surgeon. By a 

 quick eye, and ready, steady hand, the severance of 



