Welsh Hounds. 191 



that ' the Warwickshire hounds when drafted into 

 Wales develop all, or many, of the good qualities of 

 steadiness and staunchness of the Welsh hound.' 

 This is a sweeping assertion, and, if true, would 

 (unless he claims for the Warwickshire hounds 

 exceptional hunting qualities denied to other English 

 packs) have caused the Welsh foxhound to have 

 become extinct long ago, as there can be no doubt 

 that, in other respects than hunting qualities, the 

 English hound holds the field. As a matter of fact, 

 I have heard from those who ought to be able to 

 give a practical opinion {i,e., those who have entered 

 the two sorts side by side in the same entry) that 

 the only advantages the English hound has over the 

 Welsh are looks and stoutness, and perhaps some 

 would add steadiness from riot during their first 

 season. 



" There can be no doubt that the English 

 hounds have for generations been fairly tried in many 

 Welsh packs, and, with the exception of the above 

 named qualities, they have been found wanting ; 

 whilst, on the other hand, I have never heard an 

 instance where the cross-bred hound (for I do not 

 believe in the pure-bred Welsh hound in any country 

 except where riding to hounds is impossible) has 

 been fairly tried and found wanting in England. If 

 the English huntsmen are certain that the hunting 



