534 
CARNIVORES. 
Otterhound. 
while in some cases a small breed of foxhounds is employed in hare-hunting. 
Owing to the absence of the practice of “ cropping,” harriers may be distinguished 
from foxhounds by their larger and pointed ears; and they generally have longer 
and narrower heads, with a deeper hollow under the somewhat fuller eye. The 
height generally varies from 16 to a little below 20 inches. The colours and 
general points are the same as those of foxhounds. A rough breed of Welsh 
harriers is practically indistinguishable from the otterhound. Harriers work more 
slowly than foxhounds, dwelling more on the scent and tending to cast backwards 
rather than forwards when they come to a check. 
This breed so closely resembles a large rough Welsh harrier that 
it requires an expert to distinguish between the two; such difference 
as there is existing in the nature of the coat and the form of the feet. Thus the 
feet, instead of 
having the neat 
cat-like form of 
those of the har¬ 
riers, are broad 
and splay; while 
the coat is fur¬ 
nished with a 
thick woolly 
under-fur of an 
oily nature. 
Probably owing 
to having to con¬ 
tend with such a 
tierce animal as 
the otter, the 
otterhound is of a 
savage and quar- 
the otterhound. I'elsome disposi- 
tion, and is very 
apt to engage in internecine conflicts with its fellow-occupants of the kennel. Otter¬ 
hunting is a favourite sport in the West of England, Devonshire alone possessing 
four packs, one of which in the summer of 1892 killed three otters in a single 
morning. In some cases foxhounds are employed for otter-hunting. 
This term is generally applied to any hound standing less than 
16 inches in height, although the true pure-bred beagle is a distinct 
breed, which may be regarded as a miniature of the old southern hound. In build 
the ordinary beagle is rather short in the limbs and long in the body, with a 
relatively wide and somewhat dome-shaped head and a short nose. The throat is 
likewise rather short and thick, and the older breeds used to have a tendency to a 
dew-lap. The ears are full and hang in folds. Beagles may vary in height from 
about 15 to 10 or 9 inches; but from 11 to 12 inches is esteemed the best. They 
are used in hunting both hares and rabbits. The beagle has a remarkably musical 
note and an exquisite sense of scent, as well as great perseverance in following a 
Beagle. 
