68 DOMESTICATED DOGS. 



generally a loss of symmetry and of its ordinary accompaniment, 

 a hardy constitution. In order to get a reduction of size in any 

 "breed, the smallest puppy in a litter is selected, and as this is 

 also generally the most weakly, it is only to be expected that in 

 course of time a constant repetition of such a selection will 

 result in a loss of constitution. For this reason it has been 

 found impossible to keep up a pack of beagles less than 9 or 10 

 inches in height ; and Mr. Crane of Linthorn House, Dorset, 

 who for some years maintained one, kept exclusively for hunting 

 rabbits, never was able to rear above one or two out of each 

 litter, the remainder either dying in the nest or being lost after- 

 wards from fits or distemper. Mr. J. G-rimwood, of Stanton House, 

 near Swindon, has a very beautiful little pack of somewhat 

 larger size, averaging nearly 1 2 inches, and usually hunting hare ; 

 while Sir Thomas D. Lloyd, of Bromroyd, Carmarthenshire, breeds 

 to a still higher standard. For many years Lord Caledon was 

 famous for his beagles, with which he hunted hare in Tyrone, and 

 they were said to be of the purest old blood ; but never having 

 seen them, I cannot speak from my own knowledge of their 

 merits. Mr. Everett, of Abingdon, has been the most successful 

 on the show bench, and has attained a high reputation in the field, 

 his little hounds being able to account for sometimes a brace of 

 hares in the day, after showing a good run with each. Some 

 twenty years ago Mr. Honeywood hunted over the Essex marshes 

 on foot with pocket-beagles very little above Mr. Crane's standard, 

 but they were often unable to get up the banks of the drains 

 when the water was low, and frequently required assistance to 

 save them from drowning. The nose of the beagle when thus 

 bred down to a very low standard is apt to be lost, and, according 

 to my experience, no pack should, on this account, be less than 

 1 1 inches in height, and for sport I should prefer even 1 2 inches. 



