CHAPTEE II. 



THE NIGHT HUNTING DOG — HIS ANCESTRY. . 



DOGS of almost any breed, from the nonde- 

 script mongrel to the bred and developed 

 hound may be taught to hunt in the 

 woods at night. However, their success 

 is, in a general way, in proportion to their adap- 

 tability for the work and the plentifulness of 

 game. For instance, take a country raised dog 

 of hound parentage, and he is as apt to make as 

 good a night dog as a pedigreed, handsome hound 

 which has grown up in the city, without oppor- 

 tunity to verify by experience his instinctive no- 

 tion of things. Everything else being equal, the 

 well bred hound should prove by far the better 

 raw material for a good night hunter. 



The ideal coon dogs of most experienced 

 night hunters are the half bred fox hounds. Thus 

 is enlisted tlie training of centuries to match the 

 wits of the 'coon which was born waly, and de- 

 velops strategem from experience and necessity, 

 affording as exciting and pretty a contest (dog 

 vs. coon )as sport provides. 



The more one knows of the hound he follows, 

 the greater will be his enjoyment and success. 

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