270 REARING, 
pretend to foresee, after the period of weaning, what will be the 
final shape; but either soon after that time or a day or two after 
birth a pretty good guess may be given, subject to the continua- 
tion of health and to proper rearing in all respects. Bad feet can 
soon be detected; but the limbs grow into a good shape after most 
extraordinary deviations from the line of beauty, particularly in 
the greyhound, which is often apparently deformed in his joints 
when half-grown. The most unwieldy-looking animals often fine 
down into the best shapes, and should not be carelessly rejected 
without the fiat being pronounced by a breeder of experience. 
CROPPING, BRANDING, AND ROUNDING. 
If terriers are to be cropped, the beginning or end of the fourth 
month is the best time to choose ; and, before sending out to walk, 
hounds are branded with the initials. of the master or of the hunt, . 
a hot iron shaped like the letter itself being used. This practice 
is, however, now abandoned in some kennels, notably the “Fitz- 
william. Both cropping and rounding require practice to perform 
them well, a large sharp pair of scissors being used, and care being 
necessary to hold the two layers of skin in the ear in their natural 
position, to prevent the one rolling on the other, and thus leaving 
one larger than the other. Foxhounds have so much work in 
covert that rounding is imperatively called for to prevent the ears 
from being torn, and it always has been adopted as a universal 
practice, different huntsmen varying in the quantity removed. 
Some people after cutting one ear lay the piece removed on the 
other, and so mark exactly the amount which is to be removed 
from it; but this is a clumsy expedient, and, if the eye is not good 
enough to direct the hand without this measurement, the operation 
will seldom be effected to the satisfaction of the owner of the dog. 
It is usual to round foxhound puppies after they come in from 
their walks; but it would be far better to perform the operation 
before their return, as it only makes them more sulky and unhappy 
than they otherwise would be, and is a poor introduction to their 
new masters. The men could easily go round to the different 
walks during the summer, and it would ensure a supervision which 
is often required. 
