132 THE DOGS OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 



perhaps be wanting in nose or intelligence if they could be produced ia 

 sufficient force to form a pack ; but Mr. Crane's are all models of symmetry 

 and power, and are as accomplished and as steady as Lord Portsmouth's 

 hounds. 



" The Southover beagles are as small as it is possible to breed them (in 

 sufficient numbers to form a pack) without losing symmetry, nose, intelligence, 

 and strength; and we hold those to be the best which possess all the requisites 

 for rabbit hunting in the smallest compass. Our experience warrants us in 

 asserting that it would not be prudent to attempt forming a pack of less height 

 than 9in. 



" We sincerely wish every pack of beagles was multiplied by twenty ; and 

 we express this wish, not only because we believe hunting on foot a most healthy 

 and inspiring exercise, but because we "are bitter foes to the rabbit, which 

 has been the bane for years of the English yeoman. A pack like Mr. Crane's, 

 steady from hare and hunted on heath and common with ability and discretion, 

 could in no way injure fox or hare hounds, and would provide recreation for 

 many an embryo foxhunter. We believe we are correct in stating that ten or 

 more of the most celebrated masters of the day learnt their first lessons with the 

 merry beagles. 



" The dwarf beagle should be formed on the model of the foxhound. He 

 should be a ' Pocket Lexicon.' As in the case of the harrier, it is not customary 

 to round his ears. He should be of a hound colour, and smooth-coated. The 

 rough beagle is similar to the smooth in all but coat, which, like the Welsh harrier's, 

 resembles that of the otterhound." 



Since the above was written, Mr. J. Grimwood, of Stanton House, near Swindon, 

 and Sir Thomas Davin Lloyd, of Bromwyd, Carmarthenshire, have been the chief 

 prize winners in the beagle classes of our various shows, Mr. Crane, having, however, 

 been 1st and 2nd in 1865, with Pilgrim, Crafty, Gossip, and Famous ; Mr. D. 

 Everett, and Mr. E. Loftus Bevan, have also shown some very neat little hounds of 

 this breed. 



The points of the beagle are similar to those given for the foxhound, except 

 as to head and ears mentioned above, and I must refer to the article on that 

 animal for their numerical value. 



THE OTTEE HOUND. 



This hound, by an oversight, was entirely overlooked in the first edition of the 

 " Dogs of the British Islands," although there are few breeds of a more distinct 

 character and type. Packs of these hounds possess a great advantage in being able 

 to show sport during the summer, and by some it is alleged that otter hunting and 

 angling may be made to dovetail with each other on alternate days of the week ; 

 but this is scarcely practicable, inasmuch as the artificial preservation of the otter, 

 in any considerable numbers, is antagonistic to the preservation of the fish on 

 which he wastefully feeds. The angler consequently shows him no mercy, and 



