56 DOMESTICATED DOGS. 
The colour is not greatly to be regarded, but for choice the 
black, white, and tan colour is the best. This is commonly called 
the true hound colour ; but many people prefer some one or other 
of the “pies,” such as the red pie, blue pie, yellow pie, grey pie, 
lemon pie, hare pie, or badger pie, in which the respective shades 
are blended with white. Whole colours are not liked, and even 
black and tan without white is not generally popular. The “blue 
mottle ” is supposed to indicate a descent from the Southern hound, 
and is often accompanied by a tender nose. I have myself known 
several good examples of this last combination, and in consequence 
have a leaning to it. Curiously enough, however, they all had 
squeaky tongues, which would by no means prove their descent 
from the old-fashioned hound. The coat. should be short, hard, 
and dense, but glossy. , 
The stern is carried gaily over the back with a gentle curve, and 
should taper to a point. There should be a fringe of hair on the 
under side. = ie 
As to symmetry, it is considerable in good specimens; and what 
is called “ quality ” is highly regarded. ay 
The most desirable average height is 24 inches for dog hounds 
and 22} for bitches, but the height should vary according to the 
country. A big hound will not do for hills, while a little one ig 
comparatively useless over deep arable flats. 
V.—THE HARRIER. — 
‘A pure harrier, without the slightest mixture of foxhound blood, 
is extremely rare in the present day, the most notable exceptions 
being the rough strains kept in Wales, and said to be descended 
from the old Southern hound. These are known as Welsh harriers, 
and there is no doubt that they differ greatly from the modern 
hound used for hunting hares throughout England. In Lancashire, 
Shropshire, and Cheshire, the Masters of several packs claim a 
pure harrier descent for their packs, and notably Sir Vincent 
Corbett, whose beautiful strain certainly can be held to be pure, if 
there is such a state of things anywhere. Without doubt they are 
descended from the best harrier blood ; but I should doubt whether 
such clean throats could be produced without recourse either to the 
