14 TRAINING HOUNDS. 



his hounds should become disorderly and riotous in the 

 night. 



Dogs sometimes take a particular antipathy against 

 one, which they will fall on in a body : when symptoms 

 of this kind appear, he should be removed. Bitches 

 should be withdrawn on the first symptoms of their 

 heat, and young unentered dogs separated from the 

 pack. Hounds should be well kept between the sea- 

 sons, and prevented from growing fat by exercise : a 

 good swim in a river once a week, with a long run after 

 it, will be found very beneficial. Young hounds should 

 be branded on the side with the initials of their owner's 

 name, to prevent loss or dispute. Their ears should 

 be rounded at six months old in cool weather, that 

 they may not bleed too profusely ; but this operation 

 should not be performed whilst they are under the in- 

 fluence of distemper. 



Spaying is seldom done effectually ; a very skilful 

 person should be employed ; for if the bitch be not cut 

 clean, she will be troubled with her periodical heats, 

 although barren. A young bitch may be spayed about 

 a fortnight after her first conception, but probably the 

 safest time is whilst she suckles. When spayed bitches 

 do well, they are amongst the best of their species, 

 being firm-fleshed and good runners, and extremely 

 serviceable in a pack which hunts late in the season. 

 In breeding, never put an old dog and bitch together ; 

 and never breed from either that are unhealthy. It is 

 the judicious cross that makes the complete pack : if 



