THE BEAGLE. 65 



among themselves in shape and make, and also to some degree in 

 style of hunting. 



The medium-sized beagle maybe taken as the type of the others 

 of the same name, and somewhat resembles a small old-fashioned 

 harrier in shape, but with a larger body and shorter legs in propor- 

 tion to it. The head is very wide and round, with a short square 

 nose, very full and soft drooping ears, good feet, and not much hair 

 on the body, but with a slight brush on the tail. Their tongues 

 are most musical, and their noses extremely delicate, being even 

 more so than the harrier, but hunting in the same style, with the 

 same tendency to dwell on the scent. In size they may be de- 

 scribed as averaging about 12 or 14 inches. 



The rough beagle is apparently a cross between the above little 

 hound and the rough terrier, though by many people he is sup- 

 posed to be a distinct breed, and as much so as the Welsh harrier, 

 which he resembles in all but size. His origin is, however, lost in 

 obscurity, and can only be conjectured. One chief reason why I 

 have supposed him to arise from the above cross is, that he has 

 lost in great measure the beagle tongue, and squeaks like the ter- 

 rier, though not quite so much as that dog. 



The Kerry or Laune (Irish) Beagles are distinguished for speed, 

 strength, size, endurance, and keen nose. These characteristics 

 admirably adapt them for deer hunting. The first of this strain, 

 Towler, was imported to the United States by Dr. Lewis A. Sayre, 

 of New York City, in 1879. In October, 1881, Towler died. Dr. 

 Sayre, however, still has left Doxey and Lightfoot, which, together 

 with Towler, were presented to him by a grandson of John O'Con- 

 nell. The New York " Turf, Field and Farm," of Nov. 18, 1881, 

 contains a detailed and interesting description of this rare strain 

 of dogs, together with engravings of Doxey and Lightfoot. 



The dwarf or rabbit beagle is a very small and delicate little 

 hound, but with an excellent nose, and much faster than he looks. 

 Some sportsmen have carried their predilection for small dogs to 

 such an extent, as to use a pack of these beagles which might be 

 carried about in the shooting pockets of the men ; and in this way 

 have confined their duties to the hunting alone, so that they were 



