134 Hounds 



other breeds superior to them. A typical Blood- 

 hound should weigh about loo lbs., be either black or 

 tan, red and tan or tawny in colour; many of these 

 hounds have white on the breast, feet, etc., but this 

 is not considered detrimental unless too plainly 

 marked. The height at shoulder ranges from 25 

 to 28 inches, bitches being a trifle less, but any 

 tendency towards legginess or the converse is dis- 

 tinctly objectionable. The skin should be thin, 

 and very loose, though such looseness is most marked 

 in the region of the head and neck, and in these 

 situations it must hang in folds. The general con- 

 formation is that typical of a hound, and the hound- 

 like characteristics, plus the special physiognomy 

 of the Bloodhound, constitute the main points looked 

 for by judges of the breed. The back and the loins 

 ought to be strong, of medium length; the stern 

 carried gaily, the chest deep, the fore and hind 

 quarters clothed with powerful muscles, and the body 

 or " middle-piece " well coupled fore and aft. What 

 may be termed the slackness of these hounds is more 

 apparent than real, being due to the looseness of the 

 skin. The elbows must be carried close to the chest 

 wall, the joints broad but clean, the forearms, 

 pasterns and first and second thighs consist of plenty 

 of bone and substance together with well-arched toes 

 and compact feet. If a Bloodhound is defective in 

 any of the foregoing qualifications, or has " cow- 



