THE HARRIER. O 



THE HARRIER. 



The true harrier is a dwarf southern hound, with a very slight 

 infusion of the greyhound in him. Hence he is more throaty than 

 the foxhound, and has also more ear, with a broader head, more 

 fully developed flews, and altogether a heavier and less active 

 frame. The hight is usually at present under 20 inches, averag- 

 ing about 18 ; but in tiie oLl times, when t -e dwarf foxhound was 

 never used for the purpose, harriers were often 22 and sometimes 

 23 inches high, because even with that size they dwelt on the 

 scent so long that they were not too fast for sport. But it is in 

 tongue and in style of hunting that true harriers are chiefly re- 

 markable, the former being melodious in the extreme, and a pack 

 in full cry being heard for miles ; while the latter is distinguished 

 by excessive delicacy of nose, and by an amount of patience in 

 working out the doubles of the hare which the old-fashioned hare- 

 hunter considered perfection. Mr. Yeatman has, however, intro- 

 duced a different style, and according to his system the hare is 

 driven so fast that she is compelled to abandon her cunning de- 

 vices, and to trust to her speed alone. But as, following his ex- 

 ample, most of the modern packs of harehounds are dwarf fox- 

 hounds, it is unnecessary to dwell upon the old-fashioned animal, 

 *nd the modern harrier may therefore be described as a foxhound 

 m shape, but of a size averaging about 18 or 19 inches, and kept 

 to hare with great care, so that in some instances packs are known 

 to refuse to own the scent of the fox ; but these are rare excep- 

 tions, as most huntsmen will be ready to hunt one whenever they 

 have the opportunity, and many regularly finish their season by 

 shaking down a bag-fox, or by trying for one in some covert where 

 they have permission. The fashion of the day is to demand pace 

 in all kinds of hunting, and for this reason these dwarf foxhounds 

 are selected, taking care to unite with it as fine and delicate a nose 

 as possible, but altogether regardless of the music, which used to 

 be a sine qua non with masters of harriers. 



One chief beauty in hare-hunting is the proper packing of the 

 hounds, and as this can not be done without having all nearly of 



