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THE STAGHOUND. 
In tills 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 . — Cams famittaris. 
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 modern 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 Stagiiotjxd, 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- 
