C H A PT E R V . 



THE BEAGLE. 



This is perhaps the only variety of hound that has 

 profited by the institution of dog shows. He has 

 done so because he is small and affectionate, pretty 

 and docile, and in many respects admirably suited to 

 be a '' pet dog." Unfortunately, he is so true to his 

 instincts of hunting the rabbit, and even the hare, 

 as to prove rather a nuisance than otherwise in 

 country places, where his bell-like, melodious voice 

 will be continually heard in the coverts where the 

 little hound is bustling the game about, much to 

 the annoyance of the head keeper and his under 

 strappers. 



The 'beagle, by some writers said to be the 

 " brach " of past generations, can boast of ancient 

 lineage. Perhaps he was one of our original British 

 dogs, but, as an old writer very truly observes, "his 

 origin is lost in the mists of obscurity." Whether he 

 actually was the " brach " or " brache " is quite a 

 matter of question, for this name was applied to any 



