84 HUNTING. 



show, when the chase is properly conducted. It may be useful to 

 enumerate some of the most essential points to be observed 

 in hunting a pack of these diminutive hounds. 



First of all comes the question of what stamp of hound is 

 best suited to the diversion. This will necessarily vary some- 

 what with the country over which it is proposed to hunt, but 

 the chief points to look to are steadiness, handiness, and en- 

 durance, and these points are of importance in any country. 

 Steadiness can only be ascertained by experience ; for until 

 you see a hound at work, you cannot say whether he is steady 

 or riotous. To obtain handiness you must do everything in 

 your power to gain the affection of your hounds. Beckford 

 says : ' Hounds should love and fear their huntsman ; they 

 should fear him much, but love him more ; ' and it is perfectly 

 certain that the presence of this love is an essential feature 

 of any pack of hounds that is really handy. With regard to 

 endurance there are a few points which may be incidentally 

 noted. Weedy hounds are always very objectionable for two 

 reasons. They are likely to be too fast in the first burst, and 

 will almost invariably tire. The hounds then must have good 

 bone without any lumber, be stoutly bred — i.e. possess staying 

 powers and a good heart, and for the rest, with the exception 

 of the head, which is typical, their points should resemble 

 as nearly as possible those of a foxhound. It must, however, 

 be observed that nothing but careful breeding will produce a 

 really level and uniform pack. You maj', with judgment and 

 some luck, get together a lot that will show sport even in youi 

 first season ; but they will not possess that level uniformit} 

 which breeding will alone accomplish. 



Experience has shown that no pack under fourteen inches 

 will show real sport and account for their hares in any country, 

 while in very strongly fenced lands, over heather, and in a fen 

 country, the standard should be raised to fifteen or sixteen 

 inches, as in such districts as these the pack will not go so fast 

 on account of the fences or height of the heather, and more 

 stamina is necessary than in a less inclosed country. Sixteen 



