74 SECOND DIVISION OF THE 



illustration of perfection in those parts by Beckford ; for, as in a bow or 

 bandy legged man, nothing is so disfiguring to a hound as having his 

 elbows projecting, and which is likewise a great check to speed." a 



Mr. Daniel gives a curious account of the prejudices of sportsmen on 

 the subject of colour. The white dogs were curious hunters, and had a 

 capital scent; the black, with some white spots, were obedient, good 

 hunters, and with good constitutions ; the gray-coloured had no very 

 acute scent, but were obstinate, and indefatigable in their quest ; the yellow 

 dogs were impatient and obstinate, and taught with difficulty. 1 * 



The dog exhibits no criteria of age after the first two years. That 

 period having elapsed, the whiteness and evenness of the teeth soon pass 

 away, and the old dog can scarcely be mistaken. Nimrod scarcely speaks 

 too positively when he says that an old hound cannot be mistaken, if only 

 looked in the face. At all events, few are found in a kennel after the 

 eighth year, and very few after the ninth. 



Mr. Beckford advises the sportsman carefully to consider the size, 

 shape, colour, constitution, and natural disposition of the dog from which 

 he breeds, and also the fineness of the nose, the evident strength of the 

 limb, and the good temper and devotion to his master which he displays. 

 The faults or imperfections in one breed may be rectified in another ; and, 

 if this is properly attended to, there is no reason why improvements may 

 not continually be made. 



The separation of the sexes in the kennel and in the field is one of the 

 latest innovations in the hunting world, and generally considered to be a 

 good one. The eye is pleased to see a pack of hounds, nearly or quite of 

 a size. The character of the animal is more uniformly displayed when con- 

 fined to one sex. In consequence of the separation of the two, the dogs 

 are less inclined to quarrel ; and the bitches are more at their ease than when 

 undergoing the importunate solicitations of the male. As to their per- 

 formances in the field, opinions vary, and each sex has its advocates. The 

 bitch, with a good fox before her, is decidedly more off hand at her work ; 

 but she is less patient, and sometimes overruns the scent. Sir Bellingham 

 Graham has been frequently heard to say, that if his kennels would have 

 afforded it, he would never have taken a dog-hound into the field. That 

 in the canine race the female has more of elegance and symmetry of form, 

 consequently more of speed, than the male, is evident to a common ob- 

 server ; but there is nothing to lead to the conclusion that, in the natural 

 endowments of the senses, any superiority exists. 



The bitch should not be allowed to engage in any long and severe 

 chace after she has been lined. She should be kept as quiet as may 

 be practicable, and well but not too abundantly fed ; each having a kennel 

 or place of retreat for herself. She should be carefully watched, and 

 especially when the ninth week approaches. The huntsman and the keeper, 

 without any apparent or unnecessary intrusion, should be on the alert. 



The time of pupping having arrived, as little noise or disturbance 

 should be made as possible ; but a keeper should be always at hand in case 

 of abortion or difficult parturition. Should there be a probability of either 

 of these occurring, he should not be in a hurry ; for, as much should be 

 left to nature as can, without evident danger, be done, and the keeper 

 should rarely intrude unless his assistance is indispensable. 



* The Horse and the Houud, by Nimrod, p. 332. b Daniel's Fox-hound, p. 205. 



c The Horse and the Hound, by Nimrod, p. 355. 



