CHAPTER XXXVI. 



THE FOXHOUND. 



THE precise source from which the modern Foxhound has been obtained has been a subject 

 of debate from almost time immemorial amongst sportsmen ; but the existence of several types 

 in bygone centuries renders it certain that the present hound is the result of the judicious 

 crossing of early breeders. Gervase Markham, in " Countrey Contentments," published in 1631, 

 plainly gives it as his opinion that in his day all the dogs used by sportsmen to assist them 

 in the pursuit of the "stagge, the buck, the roe, the hare, the fox, the badger, the otter, 

 the boar, the goat, and such like " were each and all of them " the same kinde of creatures, 

 namely hounds." This opinion is certainly shared by sportsmen in the present day, as the 

 expression "dog," applied to a Foxhound, would be considered rank heresy by hunting 

 men, and would assuredly subject the user of it to ridicule and laughter. Gervase Markham 

 proceeds to expatiate upon the various varieties of hound which existed in his day in the 

 following language : 



"Now of these hounds there are divers kinds, as the Slow Hound, which is a large great 

 dog, tall and heavy, and are bred for the most part in the best countries of this kingdome, 

 as also in Cheshire and Lancashire and most woodland and mountanous countreys. Then 

 the middle sized dog, which is more fit for the chase, being of a more nimble composure, and 

 are bred in Worcestershire, Bedfordshire, and many other well-mixed soiles, where the 

 champaigne and covert are of equal largenesse. Then the light, nimble, swift, slender dog, 

 which is bred in the north parts of this kingdome, as Yorkshire, Cumberland, Northumberland, 

 and many other plain champaigne countreys 



"These Hounds are of divers colours, and according to their colours so we elect them for 

 the chase, as thus for example : The white hound, or the white with black spots, or the white 

 with some few liver spots, are the most principal best to compose your kennel of, and will 

 indeed hunt any chase exceeding well, especially the hare, stagge, bucke, roe, or otter, for 

 they will well endure both wood and waters ; yet if you demand which is the best and most 

 beautifull of all colours for the general kennell, then I answer the white with the blacke eares, 

 and blacke spot at the setting on of the taile, and are ever found both of good scent and good 



condition The griffeld, which are ever most commonly shaghaired, or any other 



colour, whether it be mixt or unmixt, so it be shaghaired, are the best verminers, and therefore 

 are chosen to hunt the fox, badger, or other hot scent ; they are also exceeding good and 

 cunning finders, and therefore of huntsmen not thought amisse to have one or two couple in 

 every kennell." 



These remarks, whilst showing what were considered the best class of hound at the time, 

 also go to prove what were the uses to which each variety was put. The reference to the 

 northern hound as being the lightest and fastest breed of that day will probably be eagerly 

 received by those authorities who maintain that the modern Foxhound is mainly the result 



