Otter-hounds 149 



pack, so that the latter can hunt on land for a pro- 

 longed period, for which work the pure Foxhound 

 is the best; but if there is to be a long hunt on the 

 banks, or in the water, either the cross-bred or the 

 Otter-hound proves the best for such purposes. 

 Many experienced huntsmen argue that the best 

 hounds for otter-hunting are the pure-bred ones, 

 but there are others, as previously stated, whose 

 opinions are diametrically opposed to this view. 

 A writer in the Sporting and Dramatic News, in 

 giving expression to Mr William Littleworth's views 

 (the Master of the Cheriton Pack), says: "My 

 hounds are all smooth. Fox and Staghounds. In 

 my opinion hounds ought not to speak without 

 something to speak for. I am of opinion if you take 

 a Foxhound young he can be trained to hunt any- 

 thing, and almost every hound has a different method 

 of working. My chief objection to the rough hounds 

 is that they are too noisy. Some authorities argue 

 that they stand the water better than the smooth 

 hounds, but this must depend upon the texture of 

 their coats, and from what I have seen they are 

 more delicate than the Foxhound, which seems to 

 me to have a hardier constitution. The only thing 

 I can say in favour of the rough hounds is that they 

 add to the tone of the music." Again, Mr Cameron's 

 theories as to the utility of both classes of hounds 

 are expressed in the following words: " If the Otter- 



