io ALL ABOUT DOGS 



and colour, like large Foxhounds, and are commonly 

 supposed to be formed from drafts from the Fox- 

 hounds too large for those packs. The modern Stag- 

 hound is about twenty- four inches high, or more; they 

 are seldom so level in colour, shape, or kennel likeness, 

 as you see in first-class packs of Foxhounds and Har- 

 riers. The Royal Buckhounds are an exception ; they 

 are kept in sound condition, and the best matching pack 

 in the kingdom, of the prevailing hound colours, in- 

 cluding every marking, except the blue mottle, thought 

 to be indicative of the " Harrier cross." The various 

 colours need not be set out here, nor is it necessary, in 

 a breed so seldom shown, to give the points of excel- 

 lence more fully than to say that great muscular 

 strength, plenty of bone, courage, excellent scenting 

 powers, and speed, are indispensable, as the quarry 

 hunted is usually in as fine condition as a race-horse, 

 and nearly as fast, often has been out before on a simi- 

 lar occasion, knows the country well, and means giving 

 his pursuers what is vulgarly termed " a run for their 

 money ! " Still, it must be admitted, unlike the packs 

 of all nations in the middle ages, the Staghounds of 

 our times are well disciplined and steady, and the stag 

 is more fairly hunted than he was, even in the reign 

 of Queen Elizabeth, so often described, (although I 

 am bound to say I am not included amongst her ad- 

 mirers) as " Good Queen Bess! " 



The Foxhound. — I do not propose to go very deeply 

 into the history of this well-known and highly popular 

 breed, or enter into its supposed origin, about which 



