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THE BOOK OF THE Doc. 



Saintonge, which has been subsequently much improved by judicious crosses. Some de- 

 scendants of these dogs now 'exist in the kennels of the Vicomte de Saint Legier. 



The following are the points of the old breed, which have however been greatly changed 

 by the crossings to which the original strain was subjected. Colour, white with black spots, 

 ears black, head marked with pale tan below the eyes. Height at shoulder about 28 inches. 

 Lean head, with a slightly retrouss^ nose, or it may be rather said that this effect was given 

 by the size and thickness of the nostrils. The flews were pendulous. Ears long and fine. 

 The feet were hare-shaped. Powerful body, and sloping loins. The modern " improved " Saint-: 

 onge, which goes by the name Virelade, is the result of a cross between the Gascogne 

 and Saintonge Hounds, is generally not unlike its ancestors. They are large and characterised 

 by a peculiarly aristocratic appearance. They are high at shoulder, but long and rather soft- 

 looking. In colour they are black and white. The ears thin and pendulous, though fine, the 

 quarters drooping, and stern long and well carried. They are hare-footed, but have plenty of 

 substance. At the present time this is one of the most popular of all French breeds, and 

 excellent specimens are to be found in the packs of the following gentlemen : M. le Baron 



CHIEN POITOU. 



Joseph de Carayon-Latour, au chateau de Virelade, par Podensac (Gironde) ; M. le Vicomte 

 de Chauteaubriant, au Courbat, par Genilld (Indre-et-Loire) ; M. A. Labadie, Socie"t de Mios 

 (Gironde). 



C hie 1 1 Poitou. 



According to Count Couteulx most Continental authorities consider this breed to be a 

 direct cross between the Normandy and Saintonge Hounds, which have been alluded to above. 

 The Poitou Hounds are in colour tricolour for the most part, about 23 inches high, and full 

 of quality. The head of this breed is lean, and his muzzle long, and rather Roman nosed. 

 Ears moderately short, but very thin and velvety. In body they are narrow and somewhat 

 flat-sided, though deep in chest. Their coat is coarse, and appears long for a smooth-coated 

 dog. Their voice is musical, and power of scent extraordinary, for Count Couteulx gives them 

 credit for being able to pick up a scent twenty-four hours old. As a rule, the Poitou Hounds 

 are slow, but still they are fast enough for a winter's day wolf-hunting, and they are said to be 

 able to follow a wolf from sun to sun without flagging. Count Couteulx remarks that he 

 does not know of a more beautifully-shaped hound and here we agree with him or one 

 more fitted for the chase ; but the great objection to the Chien Poitou is the difficulty found 

 in rearing him, as, when young, he is extremely delicate. 



