134 HUNTING DOGS. 



had uot stepi^ed a foot on the ground. I for 

 one can surel}^ recommend this cross to make 



good 'coon dogs. 



* * * 



A few points in regard to a stud dog for 

 fox. Pick a dog with a deep chest, good strong 

 loin, long head and stands with his feet well 

 under him. About the feet — take the foot in 

 your hand, press gently, and if it feels firm and 

 springy like a piece of rubber, that dog has a 

 good foot, which is very necessary in a fox dog, 

 but if he has a soft, mushy foot, let that dog 

 alone, no matter how good he looks, for he will 

 not stand long chases, and the old adage that 

 like begets like, will surely show itself in this 



case. 



* * * 



There are a great many worthless dogs, but 

 the dogs are not to blame. I am writing on fox 

 dogs, but it holds good on all dogs. There is 

 ahvays a worthless bitch, and sometimes several 

 of them to be had for nothing, and some fellow 

 who wants a dog but don't want to pay a fair 

 price says, "I'll get that bitch and breed her 

 to that dog down at Graysville. They say he's 

 a crackerjack, and I'll get some good dogs and 

 they won't cost me anything either." 



Well, when the time comes to breed it's 



