GREYHOUND AND DEERHOUND. 283 
but as the bitches come to their growth before the dogs, they 
may be entered earlier than the latter. About the tenth month 
is the best time for forward bitches, and the twelfth or fourteenth 
for dogs. If, therefore, a greyhound is to be allowed to see a hare 
or two at this age, he or she must be bred early in the year, in 
order to have a brace late in the spring, so as to be ready for the 
next season. Some people invariably prefer keeping them on to 
the autumn, and for private coursing there is no reason whatever 
for beginning so early; but public coursers begin to run their 
dogs in puppy stakes in the month of October, prior to which there 
is so little time after the summet is passed that they prefer begin- 
ning in the spring if their dogs are old enough, and if they are 
not they will not be fit to bring out in October. 
Before being entered the dogs must be taught to lead quietly, as 
they cannot be brought on to the ground loose, and if not pre- 
viously accustomed to it, they knock about and tear themselves 
dreadfully, and, moreover, will not go quietly in slips. As soon, 
therefore, as the ground is soft, after they are six or eight months 
old, they should have a neck-strap put on, and should be led 
about for a short time daily, till they follow quietly. Some 
puppies are very violent, and will fight against the strap for a 
long time, but by a little tact they soon give in, and follow their 
leader without resistance. The coursing-field is the best school 
for this purpose, as the puppies have something to engage their 
attention, and until they will bear their straps without pulling 
against them their education in this respect is not complete. A 
dog pulling in.slips will do himself so much harm as often to 
cause the loss of a course, and therefore every precaution should 
be taken to avoid this fault. The leader should never pull against 
the puppy steadily, but the moment he finds him beginning to 
hang forward, give him a severe check with the strap, and repeat 
it as often as necessary. It is a very common defect, but never 
ought to occur with proper management; though when once 
established it is very difficult to get rid of. Two or three days’ 
leading on the coursing-field will serve to make any puppies 
handy to lead if properly managed, and they may then be put in 
slips with perfect safety. 
The condition of the puppy at the time of entering is toa 
