682 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



dog, with a full and harmonious voice ; he carries his 

 tail similar to the foxhound. 



Otter-hunting is now not a very common sport in 

 Great Britain, as the animal is now very scarce, from 

 the population becoming more dense, and cultivation 

 more widely extended ; and besides, gamekeepers use 

 all kinds of traps to catch and destroy them. 



THE GREYHOUND. 



The greyhound is supposed to have had its origin 

 from the Irish greyhound, but to have acquired its 

 thinner and more delicate and elegant form by the 

 influence of climate and culture, and brought to his 

 present state of high perfection by the persevering 

 attention of zealous breeders. The strong similitude 

 of these dogs in shape and general character holds 

 out good grounds for the adoption of such an idea ; 

 the smallness of the muzzle, length of neck, and 

 depth of chest, and the light and graceful airiness of 

 his whole figure, and especially the length and ele- 

 gance of his legs, all contribute to render this the 

 most elegant of the canine tribe. 



We owe much of the superiority of the present 

 breed of greyhounds to the perseverance and judg- 

 ment of the late Earl of Orford, of Houghton, in 

 Norfolk ; and it is said he obtained the great depth of 

 chest and strength of his breed from crossing with 

 the bull-dog. At his death, his greyhounds were 

 sold by auction, and some of the best were purchased 

 by Colonel Thornton ; from one of them. Claret, 

 which was put to a favourite bitch of Major Top- 

 ham's, was produced Snowball, the best greyhound 

 that ever appeared ; although he was nearly equalled 

 by his brothers, Major and Sylvia, who were all of 

 the same litter. They were never beaten ; and may 



