THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



tion to dwell and revel in the scent, and when 

 this happens it is a sign that their utility is 

 coming to an end. If possible always get hold 

 of foxhounds which throw their tongues freely, 

 and have nothing whatever to do with a mute 

 hound. However closely you keep an eye on 

 the latter, he will sooner or later get away *' on 

 his own," an^ be the means of spoiling more 

 than one good hunt. No matter how good a mute 

 hound is in his work, get rid of him, for unless 

 he lets you know what he is doing he is useless to 

 you. Likewise, never on any consideration be 

 tempted to breed from a mute hound. Rough 

 otterhounds cannot stand punishment like the 

 foxhound, and will howl and kick up a dreadful 

 racket if hurt, or hit with the whip for some fault. 

 It is during the course of a long hunt in heavy 

 or chilly water that the average rough otterhound 

 will pull out and sit shivering on the bank, while 

 the foxhounds are keeping their otter on the move. 

 In our experience, the foxhound is a much better 

 fresh-finder than the pure otterhound, and it is 



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