THE OTTERHOUND 89 



up stream and down, lands for a moment, returns to his holt ; 

 but his adversaries are always with him, and as one sees their 

 steady work the impression becomes stronger and stronger 

 that for the real sport of otter-hunting there is nothing as 

 good as the pure-bred Otterhound. There is something 

 so dignified and noble about the hound of unsullied strain 

 that if you once see a good one you will not soon forget him. 

 He is a large hound, as he well needs to be, for the " varmint " 

 who is his customary quarry is the wildest, most vicious, and, 

 for its size, the most powerful of all British wild animals, 

 the inveterate poacher of our salmon streams, and consequently 

 to be mercilessly slaughtered, although always in sporting 

 fashion. To be equal to such prey, the hound must have a 

 Bulldog's courage, a Newfoundland's strength in water, 

 a Pointer's nose, a Retriever's sagacity, the stamina of the 

 Foxhound, the patience of a Beagle, the intelligence of a 

 Collie. 



THE PERFECT OTTERHOUND : Head The head, which has 

 been described as something between that of a Bloodhound and that 

 of a Foxhound, is more hard and rugged than either. With a narrow 

 forehead, ascending to a moderate peak. Ban The ears are long and 

 sweeping, but not feathered down to the tips, set low and lying flat to 

 the cheeks. Eyes The eyes are large, dark and deeply set, having 

 a peculiarly thoughtful expression. They show a considerable amount 

 of the haw. Nose The nose is large and well developed, the nostrils 

 expanding. Muzzle The muzzle well protected from wiry hair. The 

 jaw very powerful with deep flews. Neck The neck is strong and 

 muscular, but rather long. The dewlap is loose and folded. Chest 

 The chest, deep and capacious, but not too wide. Back The back is 

 strong, wide and arched. Shoulders The shoulders ought to be 

 sloping, the arms and thighs substantial and muscular. Feet The feet, 

 fairly large and spreading, with firm pads and strong nails to resist 

 sharp rocks. Stern The stern when the hound is at work is carried 

 gaily, like that of a rough Welsh Harrier. It is thick and well covered, 

 to serve as a rudder. Coat The coat is wiry, hard, long and close 

 at the roots, impervious to water. Colour Grey, or buff, or yellowish, 

 or black, or rufus red, mixed with black or grey. Height 22 to 24 

 inches. 



