92 COURSING 



inwardly free of all ailments. The number of saplings placed 

 in each department depends, of course, on the size thereof, 

 but in no case should more than five be left together, and, if 

 possible, they should already have been accustomed to one 

 another's society, as greyhounds are apt to be nasty to a * new 

 chum.' 



As a rule it is not advisable to place saplings with the old 

 ones of either sex, or they may be terribly bullied ; but a quiet, 

 well-behaved old brood-bitch or young dog of well-tried and 

 exemplary respectability is a most desirable kennel companion 

 for the youngsters, and the force of example is never lost on 

 them. Under no circumstances must a dog who has been 

 used for stud purposes be placed with any of his own sex. 



Most owners, in registering their dogs for running purposes, 

 give them fancy names, such as would be both unwieldy 

 and absurd for ordinary everyday work ; so it is customary to 

 bestow such appellations as Dick, Tom, or Harry on the 

 saplings as soon as they have been relegated to the kennels, 

 unless some name has been used at walk, in which case a deal 

 of trouble is saved. The kennelman should always make a 

 point of inquiring into this. At feeding-time they should be 

 ' drawn ' singly by name, and the allowance of food regulated 

 according to the constitution and appetite of the individual. 

 In fact, no better lesson can be learnt by the beginner at 

 coursing than is obtained by a visit to a neighbouring kennel 

 of foxhounds, always provided that the hounds have the repu- 

 tation of being properly and methodically managed. 



The greyhound is not half such a fool as he looks or is 

 popularly supposed to be. If properly treated he will develop 

 into an intelligent, affectionate and tractable animal, sometimes, 

 indeed, suffering from an overflow of spirits, but he never need 

 be either vicious, disobedient, or treacherous. Comparing 

 his behaviour in kennel and his amenity to discipline with 

 that of the foxhound, the balance is in his favour. There is an 

 old adage that a greyhound cannot be a good one unless he is 

 a fool ; but we beg to differ, and most strongly object to the 



