ii8 THE MASTER OF HOUNDS 



I have walked puppies for a number of years without 

 ever, curiously enough, having won a first prize. Still, 

 as some consolation to a true lover of hunting, I have 

 had five hounds, all of different years, running together 

 in the pack ; indeed, such a record is more gratifying 

 than taking any number of prizes and then seeing your 

 dog drafted for some fault or defect. 



Apart from the foregoing advantages, the puppy 

 show has another great recommendation as the great 

 summer reunion of the members of the Hunt. Here 

 it is that the ladies have a welcome and rare oppor- 

 tunity of saying polite things to their friends the 

 farmers, over whose land they ride so recklessly in 

 winter time. It affords, in fact, about their only chance 

 of coming in contact with them out of the hunting 

 season. Much importance attaches to the prizes for 

 the best hounds, the first and second for dog-puppies, 

 and the same for the bitches. 



It is generally a good plan to give a prize for the best 

 couple, for such an award obviously encourages folks 

 to walk couples instead of single puppies. As a matter 

 of fact, in my opinion at any rate, a couple generally 

 give less trouble than a solitary animal, for the two 

 play with one another and are far less likely to get into 

 mischief. So, at least, I think, though I am quite 

 familiar with the allegation that they are more likely to 

 get hunting in the woods. As against this must be set 

 the certainty that a solitary puppy will inevitably pine 

 for a companion ; if a companion is not provided, the 

 puppy sets off in quest of one, and such a search leads 

 it into bad habits. 



