2OO THE BOOK OP THE DOG. 



very natural action on the part of the dog led to most extravagant stories being circulated 

 about the extraordinary intelligence of this particular " Bloodhound," as ignorant people styled 

 the beast. We do not, however, desire in the smallest degree to under-estimate the value of 

 the Bloodhound, or cast reflections on his power of scent, which we believe to be of the 

 highest. Unfortunately, his uses in the present day are not numerous in this country, and 

 beyond in a few cases being serviceable as a guard about a house, the Bloodhound may be 

 recognised as included in the ornamental but not useful category of dogs. The disposition of 

 the Bloodhound is not by any means one upon which implicit reliance can be placed, and his 

 size and immense power render him when roused a most formidable and dangerous antagonist. 



From the writings of many old writers there appears to be small doubt that in early 

 days there were more than one strain of dogs used for tracking purposes, and it is probably 

 from an amalgamation of these that the modern Bloodhound originally sprang. Gervase 

 Markham describes a Talbot, which no doubt is a relation of the Bloodhound, as a round, 

 thick-headed dog, with a short nose characteristics which certainly do not appear in modern 

 Bloodhounds. A connection may be established between the present breed and other early 

 varieties, if the subject of colour is studied, for a black race of hounds known as St. Huberts 

 were formerly highly thought of, and it is very probable that from these the modern hound 

 has derived the black saddle, which is so prized by breeders of this variety. 



In the present day, though there are many more persons in possession of Bloodhounds than 

 formerly, the breed cannot by any means be said to be widely popular. In days gone by there 

 was considerable difficulty in obtaining pure-bred specimens, but even now that good whelps 

 can readily be obtained at a comparatively trifling cost, the number of breeders seems to remain 

 a very limited one. This neglect or apathy on the part of the public to support the Bloodhound 

 no doubt arises in a great measure from the exaggerated stories which have been related 

 concerning his ferocity. That the animal when roused is a formidable foe there can be no 

 room for doubting ; and his ferocity when on the track of an absconding ill-doer often cost the 

 latter his existence when run down ; in fact, as will be seen from the quotation given above, 

 the hound in hunting was usually not permitted to break up the wounded animal, who was 

 handed over to the tenderer mercies of a Mastiff or the huntsman. Be the uncertainty of a 

 Bloodhound's temper as it may, we know of more than one specimen of the breed which is 

 thoroughly under control, and of whom, in the presence of its owner, we should have no misgivings 

 under any but the most exceptional circumstances. Kindness and firmness are, we believe, with 

 this breed, as others, the royal road to successful management ; and anybody who- has visited 

 shows cannot have failed to notice the perfect control which his mistress exercises over the 

 champion Don and others of her kennel. Whether the confidence which Mrs. Humphries at 

 present places in Don will ever be misplaced is more than can be foretold, but as far as can be 

 seen, no animal could possibly be gentler in disposition, and obedient to his owner, than this 

 famous hound. 



The subject of colour is one upon which several conflicting opinions are brought to bear. 

 All, however, seem to agree that white, if dispersed in large quantities over the body, is a 

 decided blemish, if not absolute disqualification, on the show-bench. Some modern authorities 

 even go the length of saying that any white at all a snip on the forehead, a splash on the 

 chest, or a spot on the foot should prevent a dog from winning at an exhibition. Before, 

 however, giving an opinion on such a subject, it would be well to look back and see what 

 amount of white was allowed the ancient Bloodhound. According to Turberville, in his " Book 

 of Hunting," the hounds showing white were preferred to several other colours which he gives. 



