150 Hounds 



hound speaks more freely to an older drag the Fox- 

 hound will slip away * mute ' with an otter and spoil 

 a day's sport. If the Otter-hound is not so quick at a 

 kill, he is not so liable to ' riot,' especially at foxes, 

 which are often found in osier beds when drawing 

 for an otter. There are drawbacks on either side 

 of the argument as to whether rough or smooth 

 hounds should be employed. For looks and cry and 

 all-round working qualities a pack of pure Otter- 

 hounds is undoubtedly to be chosen; for a quick 

 method of hunting, and for dash and finish at a kill, 

 probably a mixed pack would be awarded the 

 palm." 



The same writer, in quoting the remarks of Mr 

 C. H. Jefferson, the Master of the West Cumberland 

 Foxhounds and the West Cumberland Otter-hounds, 

 says that his preference is for a rough hound — half 

 Foxhound and half Otter-hound. " I prefer this 

 class to the pure Otter-hound; they are hardier in 

 coat and hardier by nature, and, at the same time, 

 maintain the rough appearance which Otter-hounds 

 ought to have. There is no better hound for all- 

 round work than the old seasoned Foxhound, which 

 has become too slow for fox, but which, in his day, 

 has been one of the best. I find these hounds take 

 to hunting otters very quickly, and at present I have 

 two in my pack which are splendid workers. I 

 have only three pure-bred Otter-hounds, but I find 



