130 THE DOGS OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 



THE HARRIER. 



In the present day it is very difficult to meet with a harrier possessed of 

 blood entirely unmixed with that of the foxhound, though many a master will 

 no doubt put in a claim to that distinction. The most beautiful pack I have ever 

 seen is that of Sir Vincent Corbett, which is said to be pure, and no doubt has 

 as good a claim to be so distinguished as any other, and if their breeding had 

 been confined within the limits of their own kennels during the lifetime of their 

 master, I should accept his statement to that effect as proving their purity, but 

 he has had recourse as all masters must to other strains for occasional crosses, 

 and in that way the evidence is rendered somewhat doubtful. In any case the 

 modern harrier is very unlike his predecessor of forty or fifty years ago, and is 

 assimilated in appearance and style of hunting to the foxhound, from which he 

 differs very slightly, even in the most pure specimens, in either particular. Breeders 

 still take special care to have a combination of intelligence and high scenting power 

 sufficient to meet the wiles of the hare, which are much more varied than those 

 of the fox, and hence in most good harriers the head will be found wider and 

 altogether heavier than that of the foxhound, and the nose longer and broader. 

 The ears also are set on rather more backward, and are not usually rounded, 

 but with these exceptions there are no distinguishing marks between these two 

 hounds, and even they are often exceedingly small. In the field there is often a 

 marked and peculiar style differing from that of the foxhound, but I have seen 

 it displayed almost equally in packs admitted to be of pure foxhound blood, and 

 believe it to depend more on the huntsman than on the hound. If hounds are 

 not interfered with as long as they are industrious, they work very differently from 

 the style they show when constantly capped and lifted. The modern harrier which 

 should sit down on his haunches and " lift up his voice " on a scent would not suit 

 even the most bigoted " thistle whipper," and yet our ancestors rather liked it than 

 otherwise so long as the sitting was not too prolonged and that it was only 

 exhibited when first owning the scent especially that left in a form from which 

 " puss " had just gone. The tongues of these old-fashioned harriers were full and 

 melodious, and I confess, until I once more hear the " merry peal " which I can so 

 well remember in my youthful days, I shall not believe in pure harrier blood. 



The points of the modern harrier with the above slight difference are the same 

 as those of the foxhound, and I need not, therefore, repeat them. In height he 

 varies from 16in. to 20in. 



Mr. Evans' Clamorous, which illustrated the article on the harrier in the first 

 edition of this book, will serve the purpose now as well as any that I know. 



The BOUGH WELSH harrier still exists in a state of comparative purity, and 

 resembles in appearance the otter hound, which will presently be described, when 

 unmixed with other strains. When so crossed, every intermediate condition occurs, 

 some being only slightly rough, and others approaching the otter hound in that 

 respect as well as all others. 



