HOUND MANAGEMENT 189 



enough. A well-known master of harriers, mating a 

 twenty-one-inch pure-bred Belvoir dog hound with 

 a bitch of similar breed, under twenty inches, has had 

 a litter comprising some hounds which reached, at 

 maturity, twenty-four inches, while others stood no 

 more than sixteen inches. That master's standard 

 was twenty inches, so that, for the purposes of his 

 pack, one of the most symmetrical in the kingdom, 

 such a litter would be useless. Pure harriers will 

 sometimes throw back in extraordinary fashion, their 

 puppies exhibiting rough coats, smooth coats, slack 

 loins, bad feet, and elbows out ; with these ma\' be 

 found mingled perfect puppies of the right old-fashioned 

 sort so much desired in certain kennels. 



But, after all, the great thing in breeding is to mate 

 from good workers, well-nosed, low-scenting hounds, 

 stout and of good constitutions, and, if possible, good 

 road-hunters. Looks in the sire and mother must 

 count for a good deal, but looks alone, without the 

 right hunting qualifications, are not supremely desir- 

 able. Certain strains always seem to produce valuable 

 hounds. These strains are treasured, and rightly so, 

 in every kennel. In a small pack of harriers or beagles, 

 especially where a good deal of work has to be got 

 through with comparatively few couples of hounds, 

 the master and kennel huntsman will mate their 

 hounds from the well-nosed and hardy ones rather 

 than from the smarter looking ones. In mating, the 

 breeder will, of course, always attempt to correct 

 faults or weak points in either of his hounds. Care- 

 ful selection in these matters counts for a good deal. 

 Mate for size, avoid much in-breeding, and strive 

 for good crosses ; here are three cardinal maxims. 

 It is not desirable to breed from a bitch much after 

 six or seven years. Her best time is then past. 



