Otter-hounds 153 



a coat admirably adapted for water resistance. The 

 constitution of the Otter-hound is usually of the most 

 robust order, so that it is not the difficulty that is 

 experienced in rearing puppies that renders the 

 breeding of pure hounds so httle practised. There 

 has really no standard of points ever been laid down 

 for Otter-hounds, and the sooner there is a clearly- 

 defined code of such points formulated the better 

 for the future welfare of the pure-bred Otter-hound. 

 Once fixity of type is assured there ought not to be 

 much trouble experienced in breeding Otter-hounds 

 up to a constant standard of excellence. 



The following are some of the principal packs of 

 Otter-hounds in the United Kingdom: 



Border Counties, North Wales 



This is a subscription pack, and consists of thirty 

 couples of mixed hounds. It hunts seven days a fort- 

 night on the rivers Severn, Dovey, Banw, Conway, Ledr, 

 Dysjmni, Vymwy, Tanat, and tributaries in the counties 

 of Merionethshire and Montgomery. In all these streams 

 otters are frequently found, and good sport commonly 

 enjoyed. 



Carlisle 



This pack of hounds comprises twelve couples, and the 

 kennel is at Carlisle. It is an old pack of Otter-hounds 

 and hunts the rivers Eden, Esk, Petteril and Calgal, in 

 which otters are tolerably numerous. It is a subscrip- 

 tion pack with a minimum subscription of 2s. 6d. 



