XV 

 HOUND BREEDING 



ORIGIN OF THE BREED DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY THE SKILL 



OF ENGLISH BREEDERS MATING AND BIRTH 



HERE is much discussion among hound- 

 fanciers as to the origin of the foxhound, 

 historically speaking a new family, the result 

 of cross-breeding, or out-crossing, from the 

 bloodhound. All authorities agree that the bloodhound 

 is the ancestor on one side. As to the other, opinions dif- 

 fer. Most writers say the out-cross was with the South- 

 ern hound, himself an offshoot of the bloodhound. There 

 are many things about the present-day foxhound, as well 

 as the bloodhound, that suggest the greyhound. Both 

 the greyhound and the bloodhound, for instance, are known 

 to be of ancient family. The characteristic of the one 

 family is great speed ; of the other, superior olfactory 

 powers. The former pursues its game entirely by sight, 

 the latter depends entirely upon scent. Originally hunting 

 in England was done with hounds that had special indi- 

 vidual propensities. Some were used to hunt in cover, 

 while those that hunted by view were used in the opening. 

 "The horn," says Cecil, in " Records of the Chase," "was 

 used indiscriminately to call them together." 



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