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THE STAGHOUND. 



In this country the Bloodhound is chiefly employed in deer-shooting, aiding the sportsman 

 by -singling out some animal, and keeping it ever before him, and by driving it in certain 

 directions, giving to its master an opportunity for a shot from his rifle. Should the deer not 

 fall to the shot, but be only wounded, it dashes off at a greatly increased pace, followed by the 

 Bloodhound, which here displays his qualities. Being guided by the blood-drops that stud 

 the path of the wounded animal, the hound has an easy task in keeping the trail, and by dint 

 of persevering exertions is sure to come up with his prey at last. 



The Bloodhound is generally irascible in temper, and therefore a rather dangerous animal 

 to be meddled with by any one excepting its owner. So fierce is its desire for blood, and so utterly 

 is it excited when it reaches its prey, that it will often keep its master at bay when he 

 approaches, and receive his overtures with such unmistakable indications of anger that he will 



BLOODHOUND.— Canis familiaris. 



not venture to approach until his Dog has satisfied its appetite on the carcass of the animal 

 which it has brought to the ground When fairly on the track of the deer, the Bloodhound 

 utters a peculiar, long, loud, and deep bay, which, if once heard, will never be forgotten. 



The modern Bloodhound is not the same animal as that which was known by the same 

 title in the days of early English history, the breed of which is supposed to be extinct. The 

 ancient Bloodhound was, from all accounts, an animal of extremely irritable temper, and 

 therefore more dangerous as a companion than the modem hound. 



The color of a good Bloodhound ought to be nearly uniform, no white being permitted, 

 except on the tip of the stern. The prevailing tints are a blackish-tan, or a deep fawn. The 

 tail of this Dog is long and sweeping, and by certain expressive wavings and flourishings 

 of that member, the animal indicates its success or failure. 



Closely allied to the bloodhound is the now rare Staghound, a Dog which is supposed to 

 derive its origin from the bloodhound and the greyhound, the latter animal being employed in 

 order to add lightness and speed to the exquisite scent and powerful limbs of the former. 

 Sometimes the foxhound is used to cross with this animal. 



It is a large and powerful Dog, possessed of very great capabilities of scent, and able, like 

 the bloodhound, to hold to the trail on which it is laid, and to distinguish it among the foot- 



