THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



"The number of sportsmen is generally limited to four or five guns, who, with two 

 or three beaters and two to three couples of Beagles, early in the morning, whilst the 

 scent is still fresh after the hares' nocturnal promenades, start off to some well-known 

 hunting-ground. One couple of the hounds are then unleashed, and beaters and sportsmen 

 make the woods ring with their holloas and shouts, to get ' puss ' upon her legs. Ere 

 long the hounds strike fresh scent, and off they are at full cry. The beaters then crouch 

 down somewhere in the thicket, the guns each rushing to take up some well-known 

 position along a pass, or crossing of some paths which the hares are known to traverse. 

 The hare, as is well known, has the propensity of doubling or running in a circle, after 

 returning to the very spot where she was started from her seat, and the sportsmen, 

 therefore, have little difficulty on hunting-grounds where they know the small paths or 

 roads of getting a shot at puss. As soon as a kill has been effected the hounds are 

 called in, puss is butchered, and her 'principal parts ' heart, liver, head, &c. divided 

 between the hounds that have hunted her (which are now kept in), and a fresh couple, or 

 three hounds, unleashed, when, a new hare being started, the game begins again. The excite- 

 ment is often augmented by a sweepstake, which is pocketed by the lucky shot, and 

 augmented by a fine for every miss. I know that seventeen head have been bagged 

 during a forenoon's hunt. Of course, according to English ideas, it must be very wrong 

 to pop puss over in the middle of a run ; but in a thickly-wooded and rocky country 

 like ours, it would be your only chance. A dram of brandy [Martel ! * * *] after every 

 kill is considered a very proper and necessary stimulant, and a preventive against envy, malice, 

 and all uncharitableness." 



In appearance the Swedish Beagle may be taken as somewhat closely representing a long- 

 legged, straight-limbed Dachshund. 



The Head is an amalgamation of the two types, Terrier and Hound, being rather wide 

 between the ears, but still a trifle domed. The Eyes are soft and dark in colour. The Muzzle 

 gradually tapering towards the nose. The Ears are very long, fine, and pendulous. The 

 Throat is furnished with a double dewlap. The Shoulders slope towards the Chest, which is 

 rather narrow. The Fore-legs should be placed well under the body, and should be straight, 

 muscular, and show plenty of bone. The Feet are of good size, and well arched ; with strong, 

 substantial soles, so that they can stand hard work without becoming sore or tender. The 

 Body is long and compact, being nicely rounded in the barrel, and well ribbed up at the loins, 

 which should show signs of considerable strength. The Hind-legs, like the fore-legs, should 

 be strong, and show plenty of bone, and be well bent at the hocks. The Stern is set on 

 rather low, and is rarely carried up, as in the Foxhound. It is rather coarse, and should not 

 taper very much towards the point. The Coat should be harsh, and weather-resisting, so as 

 to enable the dog to resist the weather, which in his native country is unusually trying to 

 man and beast. The Colour usually black and pale tan. 



