The Staghound. 115 



deprived of their antlers in order that they cannot 

 injure themselves or each other when in confinement, 

 and both are specially fed and prepared for the 

 chase. They are seldom hurt, either when being 

 hunted or when taken, and the same animal will 

 afford a run time after time. 



I have always had an impression that our ordinary 

 modern staghounds seldom go with the fire and 

 dash other hounds do that are continually blooded, 

 but this may be fancy or prejudice on my part. 

 Every now and then some, perhaps well-meaning, 

 persons, who are totally ignorant of sport, its 

 usages and value, make uncalled for attacks upon 

 stag hunting as usually conducted, and where 

 the animal, at the end of the run, is saved. Their 

 case always fails miserably, and what proof of 

 cruelty they seek to force upon the public is un- 

 reliable and the product of a fertile imagination. 



As already stated, the staghound, or buckhound, 

 and the foxhound are identical, though the former 

 is often enough confounded with the Scotch deer- 

 hound, a dissimilar animal in every way. The 

 change of quarry does not appear to have made 

 any difference in the character and disposition of 

 the animal. The staghound is just as kindly as 

 the foxhound, he can gallop as fast, and is said to 

 possess as good a nose ; in coat, colour, and forma- 



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