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CHAPTER II. 



KENNEL MANAGEMENT. 



By H, H, Howard-Vyse. 



Kennel management falls under three headings, the arrange- 

 ment of the kennels themselves, feeding, and exercise. It may 

 be said at once that the management of beagles should be on 

 precisely the same lines as that of any other hounds; and the 

 best way of learning to build up and maintain a good pack of 

 beagles is without doubt to study closely the methods which 

 obtain in any of the first class foxhound kennels. The only 

 differences to bear in mind, apart from the obvious one of size, 

 are that beagles are more delicate and are more apt to be nervous. 

 The latter point needs especially to be remembered in dealing 

 with brood bitches and young entry. 



The kennels themselves should be like foxhound kennels in 

 miniature, well ventilated and adequately drained, but warm. 

 The benches should be raised about one foot off the ground, and 

 there should be a raised edge, eight inches higher, to prevent the 

 bedding from slipping off on to the floor. The benches should be 

 hinged and fitted with a short chain which can be hooked on to 

 a staple in the wall. The object of this is to enable the bench to 

 be raised while the kennelman swills or sweeps out underneath 

 it. It need hardly be said that cleanliness is all-important. In 

 order to ensure fresh water the kennel should be fitted with a 

 tap running into a trough about ten inches from the ground. 

 On hunting days an extra liberal amount of clean straw should 

 be provided, to enable hounds to dry themselves quickly. As 

 for foxhounds, an open air yard must be attached to the kennel. 



Separate small enclosed kennels are of course necessary for 

 brood bitches and sick hounds. For the former, quiet is 

 important. For sick hounds, which require to be kept 

 particularly warm, these should be provided with wooden floors ; 

 and, if it can conveniently be done, a hot water pipe, brought 

 possibly from the boiler house, will add greatly to the comfort. 

 In sick kennels a liberal use of sawdust and of disinfectants is 

 essential. 



