264 Modern Dogs. 



popular, it will not be by means of an ability to kill 

 rabbits. The dog racing by him will be more likely 

 to find favour with the public. Those who are not 

 connected with the sport will be surprised to find 

 the hold it has obtained amongst the working classes 

 in the north. There are repeatedly from one hun- 

 dred and fifty to over three hundred such dogs 

 entered at one competition, the trial heats of which, 

 three dogs taking part in each heat, being run as a 

 rule one Saturday, the finals the Saturday following. 

 This day is a half-holiday with the miners and work- 

 people, hence its selection, but other meetings are 

 held on the recognised Bank holidays, and some- 

 times on the Monday. 



Dogs of all sizes compete in the same stake, they 

 being handicapped according to height or weight, 

 if unknown ; otherwise according to their perfor- 

 mances, weight, &c., of course, likewise being taken 

 into consideration. The most useful size of the 

 whippet is, probably, a dog scaling about 2olb. or 

 so, and the pace such an one can go for a com- 

 paratively short distance is extraordinary. 200 yards 

 having been covered in i 2^ seconds. It is generally 

 considered that a dog about 151b. is the speediest 

 animal in proportion to its weight. 



Before these dogs have attained sufficient pro- 

 ficiency to take part in a handicap or match, they 



