28 OBSERVATIONS ON FOX-HUNTING 



It is the custom in some kennels to spay all 

 the bitches they do not intend to breed from ; 

 but the operation is so very severe, and the suffer- 

 ings of the animal so great, that I should advise 

 you to avoid it altogether ; especially as it is a 

 practice by which very little is gained ; while, 

 on the other hand, I have observed, that at the 

 time the bitches would have been at heat, they 

 are often sulky, wild, and not the same animals ; 

 moreover, if the operation is not performed by 

 a very skilful hand, the bitch will go to heat 

 after all. It has been thought the cutting of 

 dogs strengthens them over the loins ; but I 

 must say this also is a practice I do not approve. 

 ^Vhy put forward a young hound if he is weak 

 over his loins ? 



You will perceive from what I have already 

 written, that if you undertake the management of 

 Fox-hounds, you will have very little time for 

 any other occupation, provided you pay the atten- 

 tion to it you ought to do, and which the Gentle- 

 men of the country you hunt will have a right 

 to expect from you. The great expense you must 

 necessarily incur, accompanied by a perpetual 

 anxiety of mind, will be all in vain, unless OAvners 

 of coverts are determined in earnest to preserve 

 Foxes. The time is not so long gone by, when 

 it was thought even dishonourable to destroy foxes 



