CHAPTER XXI. 



THE BEAGLE DACHSHUND AND BASSET HOUNDS. 



"A few 3^ears ago I gave up the large hound 

 for the beagle hound, as I hunt rabbit a good 

 deal now and I find it good sport with the right 

 kind of beagles/' writes a beagle enthusiast of 

 the middle west, ''but, of course, they are just 

 like fox houuds or any other breed of dogs, many 

 of them would be better training themselves i:i 

 the happy hunting grounds. The main thing is 

 to get the right strain of beagles, of which there 

 are several. Champion Bannerman, imported 

 by J. Crane, Esq., about 1884, has had a great 

 influence towards producing the smaller size. 

 Of course every man to his opinion as to size. 

 Some prefer the small, while others the larger 

 size. The importation by General Eowett, of 

 Carlinsville, 111., which has been known since 

 as the Rowett strain, when it comes to beauty 

 and hunting qualities combined, are very good, 

 in fact, are among the best. The blue cap strain 

 in^ported into the country by' Captain William 

 Ausheton from the kennels of Sir Arthur Ash- 

 burnham along in the seventies. This strain 

 seems to have a stronger love for the scent of 

 the rabbit than anything else. 



