534 



CARNIVORES. 



Otterhound. 



while in some cases a small breed of foxhounds is employed in hare-hunting. 

 Owing to the absence of the practice of " cropping," harriers may be distinguished 

 from foxhounds by their larger and pointed ears ; and they generally have longer 

 and narrower heads, with a deeper hollow under the somewhat fuller eye. The 

 height generally varies from 16 to a little below 20 inches. The colours and 

 general points are the same as those of foxhounds. A rough breed of Welsh 

 harriers is practically indistinguishable from the otterhound. Harriers work more 

 slowly than foxhounds, dwelling more on the scent and tending to cast backwards 

 rather than forwards when they .come to a check. 



This breed so closely resembles a large rough Welsh harrier that 

 it requires an expert to distinguish between the two ; such difference 

 as there is existing in the nature of the coat and the form of the feet. Thus the 



feet, instead of 

 having the neat 

 cat-like form of 

 those of the har- 

 riers, are broad 

 and splay ; while 

 the coat is fur- 

 nished with a 

 thick woolly 

 under-fur of an 

 oily nature. 

 Probably owing 

 to having to con- 

 tend with such a 

 fierce animal as 

 the otter, the 

 otterhound is of a 

 savage and quar- 

 relsome disposi- 

 tion, and is very 



apt to engage in internecine conflicts with its fellow-occupants pf the kennel. Otter- 

 hunting is a favourite sport in the West of England, Devonshire alone possessing 

 four packs, one of which in the summer of 1892 killed three otters in a single 

 morning. In some cases foxhounds are employed for otter-hunting. 



This term is generally applied to any hound standing less than 

 16 inches in height, although the true pure-bred beagle is a distinct 

 breed, which may be regarded as a miniature of the old southern hound. In build 

 the ordinary beagle is rather short in the limbs and long in the body, with a 

 relatively wide and somewhat dome-shaped head and a short nose. The throat is 

 likewise rather short and thick, and the older breeds used to have a tendency to a 

 dew-lap. The ears are full and hang in folds. Beagles may vary in height from 

 about 15 to 10 or 9 inches ; but from 11 to 12 inches is esteemed the best. They 

 are used in hunting both hares and rabbits. The beagle has a remarkably musical 

 note and an exquisite sense of scent, as well as great perseverance in following a 



THE OTTERHOUND. 



Beagle. 



