CHAPTER VIINTERNATIONAL GUNDOG LEAGUEThe Sporting Spaniel SocietyConstitutional Rules1. The name of the Society shall be "The Sporting Spaniel Society," its objects being to encourage the working qualities of Spaniels in every possible way, the breeding of them upon working lines, and the judging of them at shows from a working standpoint. All varieties of Sporting Spaniels, English and Irish Water, Norfolk, Clumber, Sussex, Black Springer, and Cocker Spaniels, and any other varieties of Spaniels used with the gun, shall be fostered and encouraged by this Society. It shall, if possible, hold a series of working Trials.2. The Society shall consist of an unlimited number of members, whose names and addresses shall be kept by the Secretary in a book, which book shall be kept open to the inspection of members at reasonable times. Any respectable person favourable to the objects of the Society is eligible for admissionas a member. Each candidate for admission must be proposed by one member and seconded by another member. The election of members shall be vested solely in the Committee and shall be by ballot, three members to form a quorum, and two black balls to exclude.3. The annual subscription for each member shall be one guinea, payable on 1st January in each year. Anyone failing to pay his subscription by 31st January shall have notice given him by the Secretary, and if his subscription be still unpaid on 31st March, his rights of membership shall cease until he has paid his subscription. By non-payment of his subscription, a member renders himself liable to be struck off the list of members. No new member shall be entitled to enjoy the privileges of members until he has paid his subscription. This rule will be strictly enforced. Life membership may be acquired upon payment in a lump sum of ten guineas. The payment of the first subscription of any member elected after the 30th June in any year will cover the period up to the 31st December next after the following 31st December.4. The affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a President, Vice-President and a Committee consisting of twelve members. All officers of the Society shall be honorary, and no member may make the Society a means of private speculation, or trade inany way whatever, and if found to have done so, he is liable to expulsion.5. That the property and management of the Society be vested in the Committee jointly, which shall have power to call meetings of the Society, to make necessary bye-laws, to arbitrate in disputed matters, to refuse the admission of any person deemed objectionable, and to expel any member guilty of dishonourable conduct; after such expulsion, the member so expelled to have no claim whatever against the Society, or to be entitled to recover any portion of his subscription. Any member of this Society, who has been declared by the Kennel Club Committee incapable of competing for, or winning a prize at a Show under Kennel Club Rules for any period shall cease to be a member of the Society. The Committee shall also have power to deal with any question not provided for by the Rules. The Committee shall decide upon the value and nature of the prizes to be offered during the year.6. Meetings of the Society shall be held as occasion shall require for the transaction of business. A meeting may be specially convened by the Secretary on receipt of a written requisition signed by not less than six members, stating the time, place, and object of such meeting, to be lodged with the Secretary at least a fortnight previous to the date fixed for such meeting to take place. An Annual General Meetingof the Society shall be held in London, if possible in May or June, and at the said meeting the whole of the Committee in office shall retire, the retiring members being eligible for re-election. Any member not being able to attend this meeting, and wishing to vote at the election of officers, can do so by proxy. But the proxy paper, properly filled up, must be lodged with the Secretary at least forty-eight hours before the meeting, and no person can be nominated a proxy unless he be a member of the Society. The Committee shall have power to appoint sub-committees for any special object. The Committee and officers shall stand elected from one Annual General Meeting to another.7. All the Officers shall be annually elected at the Annual General Meeting, and their duties shall be purely honorary.8. The minutes of the last Meeting shall be read at the commencement of, and be approved and confirmed by the next subsequent similar Meeting. The Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his own. Notice of a General Meeting shall be sent to each member at least seven days previous to the date fixed for such Meeting to take place, and with the notice shall be stated a list of the business to be transacted, and copies of all proposed resolutions shall accompany the notice. The Honorary Solicitor to beex officiomember of the Committee.9. All authorised expenses incurred by the Officers on behalf of the Society shall be defrayed out of the funds of the Society. The Society's Rules, and its Prize Lists, together with the names of its Committee and Officers, and a List of the members and their addresses shall be printed and supplied to each member. The accounts shall be presented at the Annual Meeting duly audited by two auditors appointed at the Annual Meeting.10. Any member can withdraw from the Society on giving notice to the Secretary (such member to have no claim whatever on the Society), provided always that such member shall be liable for his subscription for the current year in which he gives such notice.The Sporting Spaniel SocietyRegulations(subject to Alteration)1. In Single Stakes for Spaniels, the order of running shall be decided at the Draw. At the end of the first round the Judges will call up, at their own discretion, any dogs they require further, and run them as they choose. The Judges will, except in a case of undoubted lack of merit, try each Spaniel for at least fifteen minutes in the first round, but they can carry on the trial of two dogs simultaneously, not ordering down together two dogs worked by thesame person or belonging to the same owner. All shooting will be done by guns appointed by the Committee.2. In Brace and Team Stakes the order of running in the first round shall be decided by lot, and the dogs composing a brace or team must belong to the same owner. No dog shall form part of more than one brace or team at the same Meeting, and only one man at a time shall work any brace or team.3. In all Stakes the Spaniels shall be regularly shot over in the customary sporting manner, and may be worked up and down wind, and on feather and fur.4. In all Stakes the principal points to be considered by the Judges are scenting power, keenness, perseverance, obedience, freedom from chase, dropping to shot, style, method of beating and working to the gun—whether in cover, hedgerow, or the open. In Single Stakes, besides, the Spaniels are expected to retrieve at command as required—tenderly, quickly and right up to the hand; and any additional excellence, such as dropping to hand and shot, standing to their game and flushing it at command, etc., will be taken into account; while in Brace or Team Stakes they are expected to beat their ground harmoniously together. In all Stakes with puppies under twelve months old, the retrieving of fur shall be optional.5. Any dog not present to run in its turn, the Committee reserve the right of disqualifying at the expiration of fifteen minutes.6. The Judges are empowered to first caution, and, upon repetition of the offence, turn out of the Stake the dog of any person who does not beat the ground to their satisfaction; to withhold a prize when, in their opinion, no merit is shown; and to exclude from competition bitches on heat, or any animals they may think unfit to compete. The entry fees of all such dogs will be forfeited.7. An objection to a dog may be lodged with the Secretary at any time within seven days of a Meeting, upon the objector depositing with the Secretary the sum of £2, which shall be forfeited if the Committee deem such objection frivolous. All objections must be made in writing.8. The Committee have the power, if they think fit, to refuse any entries for the Society's Trials without assigning any reason for their action.9. In the event of the weather being considered by the Judges unsuitable for holding the Trials, it shall be in their power to postpone the Meeting from day to day until the Saturday following the first day of the Trials, on which day the Stakes not already decided shall be abandoned and their entry fees returned.10. The Committee reserve to themselves theright to abandon the Meeting at any time, on returning their entry monies to the competitors, and if, from unforeseen circumstances, they deem it advisable to alter the date of the Meeting after the closing of the entries, this may be done by sending formal notice to all competitors, who may exercise the option of cancelling their entries within four days from the date of such notice, in which event their entry fees will be returned to them. All entries, however, in regard to which no such option is exercised, will stand good for the Meeting at its altered date.11. If an advertised Judge be unable to fulfil his engagement for the whole or part of the Meeting, the Committee shall appoint any other person to judge, or shall make any other arrangements that to them seem desirable.12. The decisions of the Committee present shall, in all matters arising at the Meetings, be final and conclusive, and shall bind all parties.CHAPTER VIITraining Spaniels(being an Extract from "Land and Water")"Most people are contented if a dog will work within gunshot and push out the game for him to kill. Almost any mongrel with the necessary practice and experience will do this, but I assume that the sportsman takes a pride in his dogs, likes to have good-looking and well-bred ones, and if he wishes to shoot in comfort and in good form when he uses Spaniels, it is quite as necessary to have them well-trained as any other breed of sporting dog. I will therefore give such directions as experience has taught me are useful. I know no dog that more repays the trouble of breaking yourself (that is, if you have the requisite knowledge and patience) than the Spaniel, who, from natural love and affection he has for his master more than any other dog, should be more ready to work for him than anyone else. The Spaniel's natural love of and ardour in hunting require a firm hand over him untilhe is matured. There is an old saying that 'A Spaniel is no good until he is nearly worn out.' There is a great deal of truth in this, and the Spaniel's enthusiasm must be largely reduced before he can get down to cool, earnest work. I recollect an old bitch, that belonged to a Devonshire sportsman, that was so cunning that she used to catch as much game as he shot. When the old man died, I bought the bitch, as she had a great reputation; but she was far too much of a pot-hunter for me. I could have backed her against a moderate gun any day."Spaniels get very knowing in working to the gun after a few months, and it is astonishing what efforts they will make to manœuvre the game out to the shooter. I have seen numberless instances of this, particularly in hedgerow shooting, when I have frequently seen a clever old dog, on winding game, not make a rush at it, which would have had the effect of sending it out on the other side, but pop through the fence and push it out to you. This, as I have said, is only acquired by experience; and a young, vigorous Spaniel will sometimes push up the game, irrespective of lending any aid to the gun. A really good Spaniel, even when he is busy questing and bustling about, should always have an eye to the gun, and to work to it instead of for himself and his own gratification and amusement. You cannot well begin too early to train young Spaniels toget their noses down and to hunt close; to work thoroughly every bit of ground and every hole and corner that can possibly shelter a head of game. This is what the Spaniel is required to do when he is grown up; and in order to inculcate this habit in him, and to discourage him in what he is so prone to do—namely, go ahead—you should begin by flinging small bits of meat or boiled liver into small patches of turnips in a garden, or small patches of thick bushes, or any kind of covert that will cause him to seek for it with his nose, and not with his eye. By no means enter your young Spaniels to rabbits if you can avoid it; they take to them naturally when they get the chance, and there is no fear of their not having the opportunity soon enough. Enter them to winged game, by all means, and for this purpose get an old cock partridge, cut one wing, and put him into a small patch of thick covert."Never take young Spaniels into large or thick coverts where they can get away from under your eye. Confine your working ground to small bits of covert, patches of turnips, bushes, bits of gorse—any thing, in fact, where you will be likely to have thorough control over them, and where they are in reach of an attendant; whom you should always have with you to turn them to your whistle. I have found it a first-rate plan to take them out on the sides of rivers and ponds, where there are lots ofmoorhens, and plenty of sedge and rushes; let them hunt in the rushes till they are tired, and a morning's work of this kind will do them more good than anything I know of. They soon become fond of the work; it teaches them to work close, and they are perfectly under the control of yourself and assistant."Teach them early to drop to hand and shot, and spare no pains about it; this is a part of a Spaniel's education which is generally neglected. I know many men who, instead of making them drop to shot, make them come to heel, using the words 'come around,' or 'heel.' It answers every purpose; and as it brings every dog to you, and he has to work right away from you again when he gets the signal, it has its advantages in keeping them under control; but, on the whole, I prefer the dropping to shot and wing instantly. It is difficult to make a Spaniel drop to fur; and if you can keep him from chasing, merely putting up hares and rabbits, but not following them after they are started, rest satisfied that little more is necessary or desirable."I once saw an interesting thing of this kind. I was shooting with a gentleman near Southampton, in one of his coverts, to a team of small Clumbers; we were both standing in a ride, and saw a charming little bitch feathering near us towards the ride. Just as she got to it, out popped a rabbit and scuttleddown the ride, followed out of the covert by the bitch; but as soon as she cleared the wood and was in the ride, close on to the rabbit, which she had not seen till then, down she dropped entirely of her own accord. She had not seen either of us, neither did we know that we were each observing this pretty bit of work until we compared notes a few minutes after, and agreed that we had never seen anything better. It is rather difficult to describe, but to me it was worth all the afternoon's shooting, and it made an impression at the time which is as fresh as ever now. She was, I need scarcely say, thoroughly broken."If it is desired to make young Spaniels take water, and they show any disinclination to it, the best plan is to take them to a stream which you can wade through. Walk through to the other side, and they will probably follow you at once; if they do not, walk straight away from the opposite side and go out of sight; they will come, after making a little fuss about it. If you have not a suitable shallow stream, but are obliged to make use of a deep river for your purpose, get an attendant, whom they do not know, to hold your puppies while you go round by a bridge out of their sight, and come down opposite to them, and follow the instructions I have given above. Remember many young dogs have, at first, a great fear of getting out of their depth all atonce, but will freely dabble into a shallow stream; so that it is best to lead them on by degrees. Once having got off their legs, and finding that it is an easy matter to swim, there will be no further trouble. Always choose warm weather for this teaching. There is, however, no better plan of teaching them to take to the water than letting them hunt moorhens. As to whether Spaniels should be taught to retrieve or not, will depend upon what your requirements are, the number you use, and so on."If you own but one dog, by all means take all the trouble you can to perfect him in this business; and for this purpose you should choose your whelp from a strain that retrieves naturally."If you work three or four Spaniels together, unless they are thoroughly broken, they all want to retrieve, and it is often the cause of much trouble. Nothing looks worse than to see several dogs all tugging at one bird, except, perhaps, the bird itself afterwards. If your dogs are sufficiently broken and under command, and will drop to shot or come to heel, and you can direct either one of them to find the wounded game, while the others remain down or at heel, you can let them take it in turn which shall be allowed the pleasure and honour of recovering the wounded; but how rarely one sees Spaniels so well under command as this. In the case of a team of Spaniels, I think it better that they should not be allowed toretrieve, and this duty is better confined to a regular retriever."It is a good plan with young Spaniels to walk round a covert towards evening, when pheasants are out at feed in the stubbles, having an attendant with you to prevent them getting into covert, and walk in a zigzag way about the stubbles; you can generally give them plenty of practice in this way, and enter them well to the scent of winged game. If your puppies do not readily return to your whistle, but show a disposition to go on, turn your back upon them and go the other way, which will generally have the desired effect—and a rate or a crack of the whip from your attendant will greatly aid it. If a puppy is too fast, put up a fore-leg in his collar, or tie a strap tightly round one hind-leg just above the hock; but neither of these must remain long without changing, or you will produce swelling and inflammation. Apart from the pleasure and satisfaction there is in shooting to dogs of your own breaking, there is this advantage that they learn to understand your ways, and to know thoroughly your every look and motion, while you at the same time perfectly understand them."In selecting young Spaniels to break, if you do not breed your own, be most particular in getting them from a good working strain, of a sort that a friend of mine designates as 'savage for work.'"To work Spaniels in thick, large woods, you should always go with them to work them, or send someone they are accustomed to work with, or they will become wild or slack."SECTION BHoundsCHAPTER VIIIFoxhoundsHarriersOtterhoundsDeerhoundsCHAPTER VIIIThe FoxhoundAt no period of English history has fox-hunting, with Horse and Hound, been more vigorously pursued than it is during the twentieth century.Scattered from north to south, east to west, are approximately some two hundred packs of these magnificent specimens of the canine race.Judging from the excellent sport enjoyed by the majority of hunts during this last season, one has no need to be sceptical as to the progress and continuance of this grand and manly form of sport. Looking back on the times when such great followers of the chase as Peter Beckford and Mr Apperley ("Nimrod"), one is apt to think that through lapse of time, agricultural depression, and inroads made into the country through commercial industry, fox-hunting might well-nigh have become a sport of the past, but, happily, this is not so.Given good weather and a favourable season, there is as good sport to be obtained with Horse and Hound as in the days of Beckford. The modern Foxhound,has, by selection, been derived from the old Southern Hound, a dog that had longer ears, was heavier built, and slower.This Hound was supposed to have been used by the Ancient Britons for hunting the larger game present at that time.The number of Hounds constituting a pack varies, and if the pack is a very large one, the dogs and bitches are hunted alternately.As to which is the best for hunting, opinions vary.From twelve to twenty-five couples may be taken as the average number working at one time.The following is a description of the Foxhound, taken from theFoxhound Stud Book:—Head, of full size, but by no means heavy.Brow pronounced but not high or sharp.There must be good length and breadth, sufficient to give in the dog Hound a girth in front of the ears of fully 16 inches. The nose should be long (4½ inches) and wide, with dilated nostrils.Ears set on low and lying close to the cheek.The neck must be long and clean, without the slightest throatiness. It should taper nicely from the shoulders to the head, and the upper outline should be slightly convex.The shoulders ought to be long and well clothed with muscle without being heavy, especially at the points. They must be well sloped, and the arm must be long and muscular, but free from fat and lumbar.Mr Walter Winans' Pack of Hounds and Master.Enemies at Peace—Foxhound Nameless and Tame Dog Fox(Property of MrWalter Winans).The chest should girth over 30 inches in a 24-inch Hound, and back ribs to be deep. The back and the loin both ought to be very muscular, running into each other without any contraction (waist) or nipping between them.The couples must be wide even to raggedness, and there should be the slightest arch in the loin, so as to be scarcely perceptible.The hind-quarters, or propellers, are required to be very strong, and as endurance is of even more consequence than speed, straight stifles are preferred to those much bent, as in the Greyhound.Elbows set quite straight, neither turned in nor out, are asine qua non. They must be well let down by means of the long true arm previously mentioned.Every Master of Foxhounds insists on legs as straight as an arrow and very strong; size of bone at knees and stifles being specially regarded as important.Not much attention is paid to colour and coat, so long as of good Hound colour, and the latter short, dense, hard and glossy. Typical Hound colours are: black, white and tan (tricolour), black and white and the various "pies," compounded of white and the colours of the hare and badger, or yellow and tan.In some old strains the "blue mottle" of theSouthern Hound is still preserved. The stern is gently arched, coming gaily over the back and slightly fringed with hair below. It should taper to a point. The symmetry of the Foxhound is considerable, and what is called "quality" is highly regarded by all Hound judges. Dogs ought to weigh 70 to 80 lbs. and bitches from 60 to 70 lbs.As to height, this varies in accordance with the country over which the Hounds have to hunt. From 22 up to 26 inches, but between these heights is general.It is a very old custom to crop the young Hounds' ears with scissors, the operation being known as "rounding". It is done with the object of preventing the ears from becoming lacerated by briars, etc.Recently there has been a good deal of discussion as to the necessity for a continuance of this practice, many asserting that it is not necessary, and constitutes cruelty.As to the cruelty, there can be no two opinions.The Kennel Club put their veto on the cropping of Bull-terriers, Black-and-tan Terriers, Boarhounds, etc., and there is little doubt that in course of time small ears will be the result. The old type of Foxhound had very much bigger ears than the modern one.All things considered, the author is of opinion that the time has arrived for total abolition of this cruel operation.The following is a list of some of the principal packs of Foxhounds inEnglandAlbrighton.Atherston.Badsworth.Beaufort, Duke of.Berkley, Old West.Bicester.Blackmore Vale.Blankney.Braham Moor.Burton.Cambridgeshire.Cornwall, North.Do., East.Cotswold.Do., North.Devon, East.Do., Mid.Do., South.Oxford, South.Quorn.Shropshire, South.Staffordshire, North and South.Worcester.Taunton Vale.Zetland.Warwick, North.Do.Dorset.Essex.Fitzhardinge, Lord.Fitzwilliam, Earl.Flint and Denbigh.Grafton.Kent, East.Do., West.Ledbury.Meynell.Oakley.Rutland, Duke of.Sussex.Tredegar, Lord.York and Ainsty.Whaddon Chase.Yarborough, Earl of.Some Packs in ScotlandBuccleuch, Duke of.Lanark and Renfrew.Fife.Eglinton.Some Packs in IrelandMeath.Wexford.King's County.Louth.Waterford.Tipperary.Galway County.Carberry.Carlow.HarriersAlthough there are packs of Harriers in various parts of the country, they are of a very limited number, hare-hunting with Hounds being a very inferior sport to that of fox-hunting. Moreover, hares are not as plentiful as in the days of our forefathers, in a large measure arising through diminished agricultural industry and commercial relations.That good sport is still to be had with Harriers we do not for a moment dispute, but it is not general.Formerly "dwarf" foxhounds were used for hare-hunting, though proved not to be equal to the typical Harrier for this purpose.Harriers vary in their height according to the nature of the country they have to work in.Lecturer—A Member of the Crickhowell Harriers.From 16 to 20 inches is the general height, sometimes a trifle more, or less.Unless very carefully trained, Harriers will hunt rabbits, and then they are with difficulty broken of this vice.The most useful colour is black, white and tan (tricolour), but hare, red, tan, badger and yellow pies are frequent.Throughout, the Harrier should be symmetrical, have a large nose, dilated nostrils, ears low set on and lying close to the cheeks, and the neck long and strong. A short neck is a defective one.There must be no loose skin, such as dewlap, etc., in this region.Elbows well let down and carried in the same line as body.Loins.—Broad; and back straight, strong, and wide.Back ribs.—Deep.Chest.—Deep, but not wide.Fore-limbs.—Straight as a line, well rounded and of good bone and substance. Feet must be hard and compact.Strong hind-quarters, and a gay carriage of tail are typical of a well-built Harrier.Coat.—Dense, smooth (not coarse), and glossy.Twenty couples were considered by the late Peter Beckford as constituting a full pack of Harriers, though there is no fixed number for this purpose.Our illustration represents one of the Crickhowell Harriers, and for the picture I am indebted to Mr Stanhope Lovell of Crickhowell.[3]The OtterhoundOtter-hunting is a very ancient sport, otter dogs being used during the reign of King John.The Hounds in those days had not the beauty of the present-day Otterhound, as very different types of dogs were then used,e.g., a cross-bred Terrier, Foxhounds, etc.One of the best packs of Otterhounds in this country are those belonging to the Dumfriesshire otter-hunt, the River Tweed affording the pack excellent hunting ground. It is an old-established pack, and has always given, we believe, the best of sport.Looking at a typical specimen of this breed, one is not slow to recognise a "workman all over."To a casual observer he has the appearance of a rough-coated—if such there can be—Bloodhound.These dogs weigh from about 65 to 80 or 90 lbs., and the bitch Hounds 10 or 15 lbs. less, and of different colours, but grizzle (black and grey), and tan is the most general.Colour.—Fawn, yellow, blue and white and black-and-tanare frequently seen. The last-named colour should not be encouraged in these Hounds.White markings are common.His coat should be dense, of a wiry texture, shaggy in appearance, and of a water-resisting nature.When judging these dogs, particular attention is paid to the coat.A soft coat is decidedly objectionable, so is one that is thin.Height.—About 25 inches.Eyes.—Deeply sunk, thoughtful, showing the "haw" plainly.Ears.—Long and sweeping, hanging closely to the cheeks.Skull.—The peak is less prominent than that of the Bloodhound and the head shorter, but the flews large and loose. Like the ears, it is covered by shaggy hair, softer than that on the body. Beneath the lower jaw there is a moustache. Large teeth and powerful jaws are indispensable in an encounter with an otter.Of Foxhound-like conformation, the frame is of stouter build altogether.Neck.—Thick, of medium length, ending in very powerful shoulders and arms, and the chest must be deep, running and swimming demanding a sound heart and lungs. Dewlap loose. A strong back and loins, the latter slightly arched, an additional qualificationof the breed. Should be shorter in the leg than a Foxhound, but have big-boned, muscular limbs, with large feet, close, and horny below.These Hounds hunt both by scent and by sight, their scenting-power being developed to a remarkable degree.The music of Otterhounds is rich, deep and mellow.The DeerhoundRegarding the origin of the Scottish Deerhound there is very little reliable information, though there can be no questioning the fact that it is a variety of dog indigenous to the Highlands, and bred specially for the purpose of hunting the deer.About forty-five years since there were not many of these Hounds in England, and even in their native land at, or about, this period, they were by no means common.Although powerful and swift dogs, they are only used to a very limited extent, and breeders of these Hounds keep them more for companionship, and exhibition purposes.They make excellent watch-dogs, and are exceedingly hardy.The following description is that issued by the Deerhound Club:—Head.—The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose.The muzzle to be pointed, but the teeth and lips level.The head ought to be long, the skull flat, rather than round, with a very slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing approaching a "stop."The skull should be coated with moderately long hair, which is softer than the rest of the coat.The nose to be black (although in some blue fawns the colour is blue) and slightly aquiline.In the lighter coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a good moustache of rather silky hair and a fair beard.Ears.—These to be set on "high," and in repose folded back like those of the Greyhound, though raised above the head during excitement without losing the fold, and, in some cases, semi-erect.A "prick" ear is bad.A big, thick ear hanging flat to the head, orheavily coated with long hair, is one of the worst faults. The ear should be soft, glossy and like a mouse's coat to the touch, and the smaller it is, the better. It should have no long coat or long fringe, but there is often a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and the tip.Whatever the general colour, the ears ought to be black, or dark coloured.Neck and Shoulders.—The neck should be long—that is, of the length that befits the Greyhound character of the dog.An overlong neck is neither necessary nor desirable, for the dog is not required to stoop to his work like a Greyhound, and it must be remembered that the mane, which every good specimen should have, detracts from the apparent length of the neck.Moreover, a Deerhound requires a very strong neck to hold a stag.The nape of the neck must be very prominent where the head is set on, and the throat clean cut at the angle, and prominent.Shoulders to be of good slope and blades well back. Loaded and straight shoulders are faulty ones.Stern.—To be tolerably long, tapering and reaching to within 1½ inches of the ground, and about the same distance below hocks.When the Hound is at rest, tail ought to be quite straight down, or curved.Deerhound Champion St Ronan's Rhyme(Property of MrHarry Rawson).Deerhound Dog Champion Selwood Morven(Property of MrHarry Rawson).During excitement, curved, and in no case lifted out of the line of the back.It should be well covered with hair on the inside, thick and woolly, underside longer, and a slight fringe near tip not objectionable. A curl or ring tail very faulty.Eyes.—These should be dark; generally they are dark brown or hazel. A very light eye is not liked. The eye is moderately full, with a soft look during repose, but a keen, far-away expression when the Hound is roused. Rims of eyelids ought to be black.Body.—The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound, of larger size and bone.Chest deep, rather than broad, but not too narrow, and flat-sided. The loin well arched, and drooping to the tail. A straight back is not desirable, this formation being unsuitable for uphill work, and very unsightly.Legs and Feet.—The legs to be broad and flat, with good broad forearms and elbows.Straight fore-limbs, and close compact feet.The hind-quarters to be drooping, and as broad and powerful as possible, the hips being set wide apart.The hind-legs to be well bent at the stifle, with great length from hips to hocks, and the latter broad and flat.Cow-hocks, weak pasterns, straight stifles, and splay feet are the worst of faults.Coat.—The hair on the body, neck, and quarters should be hard and wiry, and about 3 or 4 inches in length, and that on the head, breast, and belly much softer. There ought to be a slight hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind legs, but nothing approaching the feather of a Collie.The Deerhound ought to be a shaggy dog, but not overcoated. A woolly coat is a bad one.Some good strains have a mixture of silky coat with the hard, and this is preferable to a woolly coat. The proper Deerhound coat is thick, close-lying, ragged, and harsh or crisp to the feel.Colour.—More a matter for individual fancy.A dark blue-grey most preferred, and after this, darker and lighter grey, or brindles, the darkest being preferred.Yellow, sandy-red, or red-fawn, with black points (i.e., ears and muzzle), are equally esteemed, more so because two of the oldest strains—the M'Neil and Chesthill Menzies—are of these colours.White is condemned by all the old authorities, but a white chest and white toes, occurring as they do in a great many of the darkest coloured dogs, are not so much objected to, though less the better, as the Deerhound is a self-coloured dog.A white blaze on the head, or a white collar, should entirelydisqualify.A white tip on tail occurs in most strains.Height of Dogs.—From 28 to 30 inches.Height of Bitches.—From 26 inches upwards.A big bitch is better for breeding and keeping up size. Ought not to exceed the height of the dog under any circumstances.Weight.—Dogs, 85 to 105 lbs. Bitches, 65 to 80 lbs.Mr Rawson, of Joppa, kindly supplied me with photographs.The Total Points Required for a DeerhoundCharacter—Length and shape of head10Ears6Beard and eyebrows3Eyes5Coat7Neck5Tail4Nails2Teeth5——47Body—Height at shoulder10Substance and girth9Length and symmetry of body9——28Limbs—Loins and hocks10Fore-limbs8Feet7——25——Total100═══SECTION CHoundsCHAPTER IXBloodhoundsIrish WolfhoundsGreyhoundsWhippetsCHAPTER IXThe BloodhoundFor several centuries at least, the Bloodhound has existed as a distinct variety of the canine race. According to Jesse, the earliest mention of Bloodhounds was during the reign of Henry III., and that the breed originated from the Talbot, brought over by William the Conqueror, and very similar to a breed from St Hubert's Abbey and Ardennes, which, according to the old legends, was imported by St Hubert, from the south of Gaul, about the sixth century.The Talbot was the popular Hound from the twelfth to the sixteenth century, becoming extinct about the end of the last century."The Southern Hound, another very old breed, showing many characteristics of the Bloodhound, is difficult to find now in his pure state, although many old packs of Harriers have descended chiefly from Southern Hounds. The best authorities agree that the St Hubert, Talbot, and Bloodhound are all closely allied."The foregoing is an extract from theCentury, by E. Brough.These Hounds were used by Henry VIII. in the wars in France; by the Spaniards in Mexico, and by Queen Elizabeth against the Irish.One of the most remarkable features of the Bloodhound is found in his abilities to track the footsteps of strangers, but in towns and cities he is quite useless for this purpose.Within recent years, these Hounds have frequently been employed with the object of tracking a criminal, and in some instances, we believe, with very satisfactory results.In appearance the Bloodhound has a very stately bearing, and usually of a kindly disposition.On the hunt their music is deep and bell-like.Although generally of good constitution, Bloodhound puppies are very troublesome to rear, distemper being the scourge to which most of them succumb.For the photograph of the beautiful quartet, the author is indebted to Mrs Chapman of Thrapston, and to this lady, and Mr Fall for the lovely picture of the head of Champion Sultan.The points of the Bloodhound are as follows:—1.Head.—This is characteristic.The skin covering the forehead and cheeks is heavily wrinkled, the more so the better. Reference to the picture showing the head of Sultan shows the remarkable expression in this region.A Quartet of Typical Bloodhounds(the Property of MrsChapman, Thrapston).The occipital dome is high but not wide, and very round. At the top it forms a peak.The nasal surface,i.e., from eyes to nose, is very long, so that from peak to nose it may measure as much as a foot. The brows are prominent; the flews very long—sometimes a couple of inches—and the nostrils large and well dilated.Eyes.—Small, hazel in colour, deeply sunk, and should show a great deal of "haw,"i.e., themembrana nictitans, or third eyelid. These features are very characteristic of the Bloodhound.Long ears, thin, soft to the feel, set on low down, hanging close to cheeks, and meeting, when pulled together, over the nose.The facial expression ought to appear quick and penetrating.2.Legs and Feet.—There must be plenty of bone and muscle here; strong knees; straight and round well-formed, cat-like feet.3.Chest and Shoulders.—Width and fair depth are desirable, the shoulder being very strong, the arm also strong.4.Neck.—A long neck is essential, and the dewlap should be well developed.5.Ribs, Back and Loin.—Well-sprung ribs, with a wide back, of moderate length, and strong loins.6.Hind-quarters and Limbs.—There should not be much more than skin, bone, and muscle in these regions. The hocks are strong and coarse. Must not be cow-hocked.7.Tail.—Gay carriage as in other Hounds. At rest tail is down.8.Coat and Colour.—Black-and-tan. The black hair is generally blended with the tan, and this ought to be of a deep red. Some Hounds are tan-coloured only. Lion colour uncommon, but coveted. The body coat short and hard, but on the ears, and head, fine and soft.Height.—For dogs, about 2 ft. 3 in.; bitches, 2 ft. (measured at shoulder).Club.—Bloodhound Breeders' Association, particulars of this being given.THE ASSOCIATION OF BLOODHOUND BREEDERS(Founded 1897)Objects of the Association1. To foster the interests of the breed generally.2. To establish a Fund by means of a subscription of 10 per cent. of all money prizes that each member may have won and received, as provided by the Rules.3. To approach Show Committees with the viewof obtaining extended Classification in the Bloodhound Classes.4. To promote Stakes in connection with the progeny of Stud Dogs.5. To promote Stakes in connection with the progeny of Brood Bitches.6. To offer prizes for competition at Shows in addition to those offered by Show Committees.7. To do everything possible to promote, by trials or otherwise, the training of Bloodhounds to hunt man.Rules and RegulationsMembers1. The Association shall consist of an unlimited number of Honorary Members and Members, who shall be persons interested in the promotion of the breeding and training of Bloodhounds, whose names and addresses shall be entered in a register to be kept by the Secretary.Honorary Members2. The Committee shall have power to elect as Honorary Members any persons whose election may be considered beneficial to the interest of the Association. Honorary Members to be exempt from paying the Annual Subscription, and shall notparticipate in any benefits to be derived from the Association, nor take any part in its management.Mode of Election3. Each Candidate for Membership shall be proposed by one Member and seconded by another, and the election shall be vested absolutely in the Committee.Subscription4. The Annual Subscription shall be One Guinea, payable on the 1st of January.Members' Prize Fund5. Each member shall, during the continuance of his membership, contribute to a fund, to be known as The Members' Prize Fund, 10 per cent. of all money prizes received by him (except out of the Fund) during each year, and won for Bloodhounds at Shows and Trials held under Kennel Club Rules.6. The Fund shall be closed on the 31st December in each year, and the amount received shall be offered for competition amongst the Members during the year following in such manner as the Committee may deem fit.7. No Member shall be entitled to compete for prizes offered out of a Fund subscribed for whilst heshall not have been a Member, except as provided by Rule 8.8. No Member shall be entitled to compete for prizes offered out of the Fund subscribed during the year during which he shall have been elected a Member, unless he shall have, within one month of his election, paid to the Association 10 per cent. of all money prizes previously received by him during that year for Bloodhounds at Shows and Trials held under Kennel Club Rules.Members in Arrear9. No Member shall be allowed to vote or compete for Association Prizes, or in any way whatsoever enjoy any of the privileges of Membership, whilst his current subscription and any other debts due by him to the Association are outstanding, and for which application has been made.10. The Committee shall have power to erase the name from the list of Members of any Member whose subscription remains unpaid on 31st day of March.Executive11. The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a Chairman, a Committee of five, a Treasurer and a Secretary. All officers of the Association shall be Honorary, and no Membershall be allowed to make the Association a means of private speculation or trade, or to derive money profit through it. The Chairman, Treasurer, and Hon. Secretary shall beex-officioMembers of the Committee.12. The Executive shall be elected annually, as provided by Rule 22:—Chairman, MrEdwin Brough;Committee, MrWalter Evans, MrH. C. Hodson, MrArthur O. Mudie, MrW. K. Taunton, MrJ. Sidney Turner;Hon. Secretary, MrEdgar Farman.Annual General Meeting13. An Annual General Meeting shall be held in January, for the purpose of electing the officers of the Association for the ensuing year.Powers of the Committee14. The management of the Association shall be wholly vested in the Committee, which shall have the power to call meetings of the Association, to make necessary bye-laws and rescind the same, arbitrate in disputed matters, the absolute power of the election of Members, and the right to refuse the admission of or remove from the Association any person deemed objectionable. The Committee shall also have the sole power to deal with the funds and property of the Association in its absolute discretion,also to deal with any question or matter not provided for by these Rules, and also elect persons to fill up any vacancy occurring in its numbers. Such elections to be confirmed at the next Committee Meeting, and such persons shall continue in office until the next Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall decide upon the value and nature of the prizes to be offered at the various Shows and Trials.Meetings15. There shall be a meeting of the Committee as often as deemed necessary—three shall form a quorum. There shall be Meetings of the Members of the Association—five actually present shall form a quorum—in London or elsewhere, as often as the Committee may deem necessary.Minutes and Votes16. The minutes of the proceedings of all Meetings shall be kept, and the minutes of the last preceding Meeting shall be read at the commencement of the next subsequent Meeting, and be approved and confirmed by vote. Each Member shall have one vote, and the Chairman shall have a casting vote.Shows and Trials17. The Association shall, if possible, promote andhold such Shows and Trials as the Committee may deem expedient, and either in or without connection with any other Exhibition, as the Committee may direct.Disbursements18. All expenses incurred by the Secretary, Treasurer, or other Member of the Committee, or by any Member for or on behalf of the Association, on the authority of the Committee, shall be defrayed out of the funds of the Association.Report and Audit19. An Annual Report, with a statement of the financial position of the Association, shall be drafted by the Retiring Committee, and presented at the Annual General Meeting.Withdrawal from Membership20. It shall be competent for any Honorary Member or Member to withdraw from the Association on giving notice of his intention in writing to the Secretary, but any Member leaving the Association shall remain liable for all subscriptions not already paid, including that due for the current year, and shall not be entitled to receive back any money he may have paid to or on account of the Association during his Membership, or have any claim against the Association, except under Rule 18.Expulsion21. Any Member violating the Rules and Regulations of the Association for the time being in force, shall be liable to be expelled by the Committee; and any Member of the Association who shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Committee to have in any way misconducted himself in connection with Dogs, Dog Shows, or Trials, or to have in any way acted in opposition to the fundamental rules and principles upon which the Association has been established, or in any other manner which would make it undesirable, in the opinion of the Committee, that he should continue to be a Member, shall be requested to retire from the Association, and if a resolution to that effect shall be carried by a majority of the Committee, the Member so requested to retire shall thenceforth cease to be a Member of the Association, as if he had resigned in the usual course, and shall not be entitled to have any part of his Annual Subscription for the current year returned to him, and shall remain liable for all arrears of subscriptions unpaid and any dues owing, but before any such expulsion or request to retire, the Member shall have an opportunity of being heard in his defence.Election of Committee and Officers22. The Chairman, Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, andCommittee shall be elected annually. Their election shall take place at the Annual General Meeting, and be by ballot. Only Members of the Association shall be eligible to hold office. Nominations shall be sent in to the Secretary, seven days prior to the Meeting, of gentlemen whom it may be deemed desirable to elect; and Members of the retiring Committee shall be eligible for re-election without nomination.A Member shall not give more than one vote for any one candidate, and must vote for the full number of vacancies.Notices23. Notices of the convening of any Meetings may be inserted in theKennel Gazette,Field,Stock-Keeper,Our Dogs,Kennel News, or such other similar publication of which due notice is given to the Members, and that shall thenceforth be deemed full and sufficient without notice in writing.Service of Notices24. A notice may be served by the Association upon any Member, either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to such Member at his registered place of address.25. Any notices, if served by post, shall be deemed to have been served at the latest within twelvehours after the same shall have been posted, and in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice was properly addressed and put into a post-office letter box.26. As regards those Members of the Association who have no registered address in the United Kingdom, a notice posted up in the office or residence of the Secretary for the time being shall be deemed to be well served on them at the expiration of twelve hours after it is so posted up.Irish WolfhoundsThe present breed of Irish Wolfhounds appears to be the outcome of crossing the Deerhound with the Boarhound, though several centuries ago this variety of dog was said to be in existence, and employed, as its name indicates, for hunting the wolves in this and his own country.The extermination of wolves in these countries would naturally account for the decadence of the Hounds hunting them.Be this as it may, the present type of Hound is a fast and powerful dog, and, we should judge, would prove to be quite equal to his earlier representatives.In colour these Hounds are red, brindle, fawn, grey, black, white, etc., and have a rough, hard coat on body, head and limbs, the hair under the jaw and over the eyes, being long, and wiry in texture.Weight,height(proportionate), and powerful build are essentials, and should be one of the principal aims of the breeder.Dogs ought not to be less than 31 inches, and bitches 28 inches. In weight, the former ought to scale 120 lbs. and bitches about 100 lbs.Head.—Must be long, of medium width above the eyes, and the muzzle long and pointed.Ears.—Small.Neck.—Ought to be well curved, long, and deep.A deep chest, wide brisket, and long, strong back and loins, together with a long curved tail, having an abundance of hair upon it, are qualifications for a typical specimen.Fore-limbs.—Strong, big-boned forearms , straight and carried straight, ending in large round feet and strong claws, are essentials of beauty in these regions.Hind-quarters.—To be clothed with well-developed muscles—weakness in this respect being a fault—having a long second thigh, and hocks low placed.In many respects the Irish Wolfhound resembles the Russian Wolfhound, our own Deerhound and Greyhound, though it is a more massive animal than any of these, but like these Hounds, built upon racing lines, though of the heavy-weight class.The Irish Wolfhound Club watches over the interests of the breed.The GreyhoundFrom representations upon Egyptian monuments, etc., the Greyhound has been shown to have been in existence for three thousand years at least, and, according to Holinshead, was introduced into Britain some time during the third century. The first record of any coursing club in this country is said to be that founded by Lord Orford in Norfolk, during 1776.The modern Greyhound is vastly superior to those of the ancients, if the old prints are faithful representations of these fleet-coursing thoroughbreds.Although the Greyhound hunts by "sight," he is by no means "devoid" of hunting by "scent," as the Foxhound, Otterhound, etc. Misterton, winner of the Waterloo Cup in 1879 (63 lbs. weight); Coomassie, winner of the Waterloo Cup twice (weight 42 lbs.); Master M'Grath, winner of the Waterloo Cup three times (54 lbs.), and Fullerton (65 lbs.), winner of the Waterloo Cup three times and a division of it the fourth time with his kennel companion, may be said to have been the grandest quartet of Greyhounds ever gracing the course.To enter into a detailed account of the Greyhound would be quite outside the title and scope of this work, therefore the author will only give a brief outline of some of the more important points of these fleet-footed Hounds, which are as follows:—Head.—This should be long and narrow, wide between the ears and low between the eyes. The head of a bitch is of finer mould. Lean jaws.Eyes.—Penetrating and full of animation.Ears.—Elegantly carried and small.Neck.—Very important. Must be long, strong, very supple, and, above all, graceful. A high degree of flexibility is indispensable.Fore-quarters.—Shoulders must not be over-loaded with muscle, but a great degree of obliquity is asine qua non.Arm, long, ending below in a strong elbow joint.Fore-arm.—Very long, strong, and should consist of little beyond bone, muscles and tendons. It is in this region, particularly, that the Greyhound excels in beauty. Must be as straight as a line from elbow to knee, and, above all, well placed in relation to the parts above and below.The forward position of the fore-limbs are a striking feature of the Greyhound, giving a minimum of weight to carry in front.Long oblique pasterns, and compact hard feet are points of great importance.Hind-quarters.—Strength, width, and a great degree of flexibility are necessary in this region. Weak, or soft muscles destroys a Greyhound's speed, turning and staying power.Greyhound Bitch Lady Golightly(Property of Mrs.Dewè).Fawn Greyhound Dean Baden Powell(Property of MrEyers, Blandford).A Trio of Greyhounds(Property of MrsDewè).Duke o' Ringmer.Lady Golightly.Glory o' Ringmer.Greyhound, Sussex Belle(Property of MrsDewè).First and second thighs must be long, and well muscled.The oblique position of the second thighs constitutes the main beauty in this region. Their backward curve joins the hocks in such a manner as to give the greatest possible leverage on the long, strong, pasterns and feet below.The angles of the hocks are very acute, and, in relation to the body, placed very far back.If a Greyhound has not typically formed and well-placed hind-quarters, he will never make his mark as a runner.Chest.—Most certainly should be deep, but not wide.If a greyhound is not well-hearted he is no good for speed, or endurance.Flatness of ribs, especially towards the keel, is advantageous.Tail.—Long and tapering.Coat.—Of medium texture, neither too coarse, nor too fine.Colour.—Unimportant. A good Greyhound may be any colour.Our illustrations are from photographs kindly lent by Mrs Dewè of Ringmer, and Mr Eyers of Blandford.The WhippetThe Whippet may be described as a miniature Greyhound,and is judged much upon the same lines. The chief use of these little dogs is that of racing on a course, and for rabbiting, also as a snap-dog. It is rather singular, but miners, etc., are remarkably fond of Whippets, and the Lancashire and Staffordshire towns contain a lot of this breed.This variety of canine flesh resulted through crossing a Greyhound and Terrier.The best time of the year to breed Whippets is the spring, so that the youngsters will have the whole of the summer to develop in.For general purposes, from 15 to 18 or 20 lbs. is the most useful weight, and of either whole, or mixed colours. Fawn, bramble, blue, red and white are very common ones.Coat.—Should be fine and close.Constitution.—Must be sound (otherwise a Whippet is not the slightest use), and the chest of good capacity,i.e., the dog ought to be well-hearted. A long, lean, finely-chiselled head (wide between the eyes), and flat on the top, with bright, expressive eyes, and small rose ears, are essentials.Shoulders should have a good slope; the neck long, clean, and inclined to be straight, not arched, as stated by some authorities.Fore-limbs.—These must be as straight as a line; have good bone, be long, have well-developed muscles, and well placed in relation to the body.Typical Whippet Dog Dandy Coon(Property of MrThomas Redruth).The shoulders long, the arms long, forearms very long, and pasterns long, but proportionate.The loins are very important features in a good Whippet. This region should show strongly-developed muscles, be slightly arched, passing in front on to a broad and square back.Front ribs to be well rounded and long; the back ones short.Hind-quarters, Tail, and Feet.—If a racing dog is poorly developed in these regions, he is no use for the purpose. The outlines of the individual muscles ought to be plainly seen.Long first and second thighs are asine qua nonin the Whippet. Both width and strength are necessary. Well-bent stifles and strong hocks equally essential. Feet round, and well split up.Tail.—Long, tapered, and nicely curved.General Appearance of the Whippet.—A smart, racily-built, active-looking dog, of various colours, having a deep chest, narrow waist, and long, beautifully modelled, muscular extremities.SECTION DMixed HoundsCHAPTER XBorzoisBeaglesDachshundsBasset-hounds(Rough and Smooth)Borzois Padiham Nordia(Property of MrMurphy).Borzois Dog(Property of MrsHeaven).
CHAPTER VIINTERNATIONAL GUNDOG LEAGUEThe Sporting Spaniel SocietyConstitutional Rules1. The name of the Society shall be "The Sporting Spaniel Society," its objects being to encourage the working qualities of Spaniels in every possible way, the breeding of them upon working lines, and the judging of them at shows from a working standpoint. All varieties of Sporting Spaniels, English and Irish Water, Norfolk, Clumber, Sussex, Black Springer, and Cocker Spaniels, and any other varieties of Spaniels used with the gun, shall be fostered and encouraged by this Society. It shall, if possible, hold a series of working Trials.2. The Society shall consist of an unlimited number of members, whose names and addresses shall be kept by the Secretary in a book, which book shall be kept open to the inspection of members at reasonable times. Any respectable person favourable to the objects of the Society is eligible for admissionas a member. Each candidate for admission must be proposed by one member and seconded by another member. The election of members shall be vested solely in the Committee and shall be by ballot, three members to form a quorum, and two black balls to exclude.3. The annual subscription for each member shall be one guinea, payable on 1st January in each year. Anyone failing to pay his subscription by 31st January shall have notice given him by the Secretary, and if his subscription be still unpaid on 31st March, his rights of membership shall cease until he has paid his subscription. By non-payment of his subscription, a member renders himself liable to be struck off the list of members. No new member shall be entitled to enjoy the privileges of members until he has paid his subscription. This rule will be strictly enforced. Life membership may be acquired upon payment in a lump sum of ten guineas. The payment of the first subscription of any member elected after the 30th June in any year will cover the period up to the 31st December next after the following 31st December.4. The affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a President, Vice-President and a Committee consisting of twelve members. All officers of the Society shall be honorary, and no member may make the Society a means of private speculation, or trade inany way whatever, and if found to have done so, he is liable to expulsion.5. That the property and management of the Society be vested in the Committee jointly, which shall have power to call meetings of the Society, to make necessary bye-laws, to arbitrate in disputed matters, to refuse the admission of any person deemed objectionable, and to expel any member guilty of dishonourable conduct; after such expulsion, the member so expelled to have no claim whatever against the Society, or to be entitled to recover any portion of his subscription. Any member of this Society, who has been declared by the Kennel Club Committee incapable of competing for, or winning a prize at a Show under Kennel Club Rules for any period shall cease to be a member of the Society. The Committee shall also have power to deal with any question not provided for by the Rules. The Committee shall decide upon the value and nature of the prizes to be offered during the year.6. Meetings of the Society shall be held as occasion shall require for the transaction of business. A meeting may be specially convened by the Secretary on receipt of a written requisition signed by not less than six members, stating the time, place, and object of such meeting, to be lodged with the Secretary at least a fortnight previous to the date fixed for such meeting to take place. An Annual General Meetingof the Society shall be held in London, if possible in May or June, and at the said meeting the whole of the Committee in office shall retire, the retiring members being eligible for re-election. Any member not being able to attend this meeting, and wishing to vote at the election of officers, can do so by proxy. But the proxy paper, properly filled up, must be lodged with the Secretary at least forty-eight hours before the meeting, and no person can be nominated a proxy unless he be a member of the Society. The Committee shall have power to appoint sub-committees for any special object. The Committee and officers shall stand elected from one Annual General Meeting to another.7. All the Officers shall be annually elected at the Annual General Meeting, and their duties shall be purely honorary.8. The minutes of the last Meeting shall be read at the commencement of, and be approved and confirmed by the next subsequent similar Meeting. The Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his own. Notice of a General Meeting shall be sent to each member at least seven days previous to the date fixed for such Meeting to take place, and with the notice shall be stated a list of the business to be transacted, and copies of all proposed resolutions shall accompany the notice. The Honorary Solicitor to beex officiomember of the Committee.9. All authorised expenses incurred by the Officers on behalf of the Society shall be defrayed out of the funds of the Society. The Society's Rules, and its Prize Lists, together with the names of its Committee and Officers, and a List of the members and their addresses shall be printed and supplied to each member. The accounts shall be presented at the Annual Meeting duly audited by two auditors appointed at the Annual Meeting.10. Any member can withdraw from the Society on giving notice to the Secretary (such member to have no claim whatever on the Society), provided always that such member shall be liable for his subscription for the current year in which he gives such notice.The Sporting Spaniel SocietyRegulations(subject to Alteration)1. In Single Stakes for Spaniels, the order of running shall be decided at the Draw. At the end of the first round the Judges will call up, at their own discretion, any dogs they require further, and run them as they choose. The Judges will, except in a case of undoubted lack of merit, try each Spaniel for at least fifteen minutes in the first round, but they can carry on the trial of two dogs simultaneously, not ordering down together two dogs worked by thesame person or belonging to the same owner. All shooting will be done by guns appointed by the Committee.2. In Brace and Team Stakes the order of running in the first round shall be decided by lot, and the dogs composing a brace or team must belong to the same owner. No dog shall form part of more than one brace or team at the same Meeting, and only one man at a time shall work any brace or team.3. In all Stakes the Spaniels shall be regularly shot over in the customary sporting manner, and may be worked up and down wind, and on feather and fur.4. In all Stakes the principal points to be considered by the Judges are scenting power, keenness, perseverance, obedience, freedom from chase, dropping to shot, style, method of beating and working to the gun—whether in cover, hedgerow, or the open. In Single Stakes, besides, the Spaniels are expected to retrieve at command as required—tenderly, quickly and right up to the hand; and any additional excellence, such as dropping to hand and shot, standing to their game and flushing it at command, etc., will be taken into account; while in Brace or Team Stakes they are expected to beat their ground harmoniously together. In all Stakes with puppies under twelve months old, the retrieving of fur shall be optional.5. Any dog not present to run in its turn, the Committee reserve the right of disqualifying at the expiration of fifteen minutes.6. The Judges are empowered to first caution, and, upon repetition of the offence, turn out of the Stake the dog of any person who does not beat the ground to their satisfaction; to withhold a prize when, in their opinion, no merit is shown; and to exclude from competition bitches on heat, or any animals they may think unfit to compete. The entry fees of all such dogs will be forfeited.7. An objection to a dog may be lodged with the Secretary at any time within seven days of a Meeting, upon the objector depositing with the Secretary the sum of £2, which shall be forfeited if the Committee deem such objection frivolous. All objections must be made in writing.8. The Committee have the power, if they think fit, to refuse any entries for the Society's Trials without assigning any reason for their action.9. In the event of the weather being considered by the Judges unsuitable for holding the Trials, it shall be in their power to postpone the Meeting from day to day until the Saturday following the first day of the Trials, on which day the Stakes not already decided shall be abandoned and their entry fees returned.10. The Committee reserve to themselves theright to abandon the Meeting at any time, on returning their entry monies to the competitors, and if, from unforeseen circumstances, they deem it advisable to alter the date of the Meeting after the closing of the entries, this may be done by sending formal notice to all competitors, who may exercise the option of cancelling their entries within four days from the date of such notice, in which event their entry fees will be returned to them. All entries, however, in regard to which no such option is exercised, will stand good for the Meeting at its altered date.11. If an advertised Judge be unable to fulfil his engagement for the whole or part of the Meeting, the Committee shall appoint any other person to judge, or shall make any other arrangements that to them seem desirable.12. The decisions of the Committee present shall, in all matters arising at the Meetings, be final and conclusive, and shall bind all parties.
INTERNATIONAL GUNDOG LEAGUE
The Sporting Spaniel Society
Constitutional Rules
1. The name of the Society shall be "The Sporting Spaniel Society," its objects being to encourage the working qualities of Spaniels in every possible way, the breeding of them upon working lines, and the judging of them at shows from a working standpoint. All varieties of Sporting Spaniels, English and Irish Water, Norfolk, Clumber, Sussex, Black Springer, and Cocker Spaniels, and any other varieties of Spaniels used with the gun, shall be fostered and encouraged by this Society. It shall, if possible, hold a series of working Trials.
2. The Society shall consist of an unlimited number of members, whose names and addresses shall be kept by the Secretary in a book, which book shall be kept open to the inspection of members at reasonable times. Any respectable person favourable to the objects of the Society is eligible for admissionas a member. Each candidate for admission must be proposed by one member and seconded by another member. The election of members shall be vested solely in the Committee and shall be by ballot, three members to form a quorum, and two black balls to exclude.
3. The annual subscription for each member shall be one guinea, payable on 1st January in each year. Anyone failing to pay his subscription by 31st January shall have notice given him by the Secretary, and if his subscription be still unpaid on 31st March, his rights of membership shall cease until he has paid his subscription. By non-payment of his subscription, a member renders himself liable to be struck off the list of members. No new member shall be entitled to enjoy the privileges of members until he has paid his subscription. This rule will be strictly enforced. Life membership may be acquired upon payment in a lump sum of ten guineas. The payment of the first subscription of any member elected after the 30th June in any year will cover the period up to the 31st December next after the following 31st December.
4. The affairs of the Society shall be conducted by a President, Vice-President and a Committee consisting of twelve members. All officers of the Society shall be honorary, and no member may make the Society a means of private speculation, or trade inany way whatever, and if found to have done so, he is liable to expulsion.
5. That the property and management of the Society be vested in the Committee jointly, which shall have power to call meetings of the Society, to make necessary bye-laws, to arbitrate in disputed matters, to refuse the admission of any person deemed objectionable, and to expel any member guilty of dishonourable conduct; after such expulsion, the member so expelled to have no claim whatever against the Society, or to be entitled to recover any portion of his subscription. Any member of this Society, who has been declared by the Kennel Club Committee incapable of competing for, or winning a prize at a Show under Kennel Club Rules for any period shall cease to be a member of the Society. The Committee shall also have power to deal with any question not provided for by the Rules. The Committee shall decide upon the value and nature of the prizes to be offered during the year.
6. Meetings of the Society shall be held as occasion shall require for the transaction of business. A meeting may be specially convened by the Secretary on receipt of a written requisition signed by not less than six members, stating the time, place, and object of such meeting, to be lodged with the Secretary at least a fortnight previous to the date fixed for such meeting to take place. An Annual General Meetingof the Society shall be held in London, if possible in May or June, and at the said meeting the whole of the Committee in office shall retire, the retiring members being eligible for re-election. Any member not being able to attend this meeting, and wishing to vote at the election of officers, can do so by proxy. But the proxy paper, properly filled up, must be lodged with the Secretary at least forty-eight hours before the meeting, and no person can be nominated a proxy unless he be a member of the Society. The Committee shall have power to appoint sub-committees for any special object. The Committee and officers shall stand elected from one Annual General Meeting to another.
7. All the Officers shall be annually elected at the Annual General Meeting, and their duties shall be purely honorary.
8. The minutes of the last Meeting shall be read at the commencement of, and be approved and confirmed by the next subsequent similar Meeting. The Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his own. Notice of a General Meeting shall be sent to each member at least seven days previous to the date fixed for such Meeting to take place, and with the notice shall be stated a list of the business to be transacted, and copies of all proposed resolutions shall accompany the notice. The Honorary Solicitor to beex officiomember of the Committee.
9. All authorised expenses incurred by the Officers on behalf of the Society shall be defrayed out of the funds of the Society. The Society's Rules, and its Prize Lists, together with the names of its Committee and Officers, and a List of the members and their addresses shall be printed and supplied to each member. The accounts shall be presented at the Annual Meeting duly audited by two auditors appointed at the Annual Meeting.
10. Any member can withdraw from the Society on giving notice to the Secretary (such member to have no claim whatever on the Society), provided always that such member shall be liable for his subscription for the current year in which he gives such notice.
The Sporting Spaniel Society
Regulations(subject to Alteration)
1. In Single Stakes for Spaniels, the order of running shall be decided at the Draw. At the end of the first round the Judges will call up, at their own discretion, any dogs they require further, and run them as they choose. The Judges will, except in a case of undoubted lack of merit, try each Spaniel for at least fifteen minutes in the first round, but they can carry on the trial of two dogs simultaneously, not ordering down together two dogs worked by thesame person or belonging to the same owner. All shooting will be done by guns appointed by the Committee.
2. In Brace and Team Stakes the order of running in the first round shall be decided by lot, and the dogs composing a brace or team must belong to the same owner. No dog shall form part of more than one brace or team at the same Meeting, and only one man at a time shall work any brace or team.
3. In all Stakes the Spaniels shall be regularly shot over in the customary sporting manner, and may be worked up and down wind, and on feather and fur.
4. In all Stakes the principal points to be considered by the Judges are scenting power, keenness, perseverance, obedience, freedom from chase, dropping to shot, style, method of beating and working to the gun—whether in cover, hedgerow, or the open. In Single Stakes, besides, the Spaniels are expected to retrieve at command as required—tenderly, quickly and right up to the hand; and any additional excellence, such as dropping to hand and shot, standing to their game and flushing it at command, etc., will be taken into account; while in Brace or Team Stakes they are expected to beat their ground harmoniously together. In all Stakes with puppies under twelve months old, the retrieving of fur shall be optional.
5. Any dog not present to run in its turn, the Committee reserve the right of disqualifying at the expiration of fifteen minutes.
6. The Judges are empowered to first caution, and, upon repetition of the offence, turn out of the Stake the dog of any person who does not beat the ground to their satisfaction; to withhold a prize when, in their opinion, no merit is shown; and to exclude from competition bitches on heat, or any animals they may think unfit to compete. The entry fees of all such dogs will be forfeited.
7. An objection to a dog may be lodged with the Secretary at any time within seven days of a Meeting, upon the objector depositing with the Secretary the sum of £2, which shall be forfeited if the Committee deem such objection frivolous. All objections must be made in writing.
8. The Committee have the power, if they think fit, to refuse any entries for the Society's Trials without assigning any reason for their action.
9. In the event of the weather being considered by the Judges unsuitable for holding the Trials, it shall be in their power to postpone the Meeting from day to day until the Saturday following the first day of the Trials, on which day the Stakes not already decided shall be abandoned and their entry fees returned.
10. The Committee reserve to themselves theright to abandon the Meeting at any time, on returning their entry monies to the competitors, and if, from unforeseen circumstances, they deem it advisable to alter the date of the Meeting after the closing of the entries, this may be done by sending formal notice to all competitors, who may exercise the option of cancelling their entries within four days from the date of such notice, in which event their entry fees will be returned to them. All entries, however, in regard to which no such option is exercised, will stand good for the Meeting at its altered date.
11. If an advertised Judge be unable to fulfil his engagement for the whole or part of the Meeting, the Committee shall appoint any other person to judge, or shall make any other arrangements that to them seem desirable.
12. The decisions of the Committee present shall, in all matters arising at the Meetings, be final and conclusive, and shall bind all parties.
CHAPTER VIITraining Spaniels(being an Extract from "Land and Water")"Most people are contented if a dog will work within gunshot and push out the game for him to kill. Almost any mongrel with the necessary practice and experience will do this, but I assume that the sportsman takes a pride in his dogs, likes to have good-looking and well-bred ones, and if he wishes to shoot in comfort and in good form when he uses Spaniels, it is quite as necessary to have them well-trained as any other breed of sporting dog. I will therefore give such directions as experience has taught me are useful. I know no dog that more repays the trouble of breaking yourself (that is, if you have the requisite knowledge and patience) than the Spaniel, who, from natural love and affection he has for his master more than any other dog, should be more ready to work for him than anyone else. The Spaniel's natural love of and ardour in hunting require a firm hand over him untilhe is matured. There is an old saying that 'A Spaniel is no good until he is nearly worn out.' There is a great deal of truth in this, and the Spaniel's enthusiasm must be largely reduced before he can get down to cool, earnest work. I recollect an old bitch, that belonged to a Devonshire sportsman, that was so cunning that she used to catch as much game as he shot. When the old man died, I bought the bitch, as she had a great reputation; but she was far too much of a pot-hunter for me. I could have backed her against a moderate gun any day."Spaniels get very knowing in working to the gun after a few months, and it is astonishing what efforts they will make to manœuvre the game out to the shooter. I have seen numberless instances of this, particularly in hedgerow shooting, when I have frequently seen a clever old dog, on winding game, not make a rush at it, which would have had the effect of sending it out on the other side, but pop through the fence and push it out to you. This, as I have said, is only acquired by experience; and a young, vigorous Spaniel will sometimes push up the game, irrespective of lending any aid to the gun. A really good Spaniel, even when he is busy questing and bustling about, should always have an eye to the gun, and to work to it instead of for himself and his own gratification and amusement. You cannot well begin too early to train young Spaniels toget their noses down and to hunt close; to work thoroughly every bit of ground and every hole and corner that can possibly shelter a head of game. This is what the Spaniel is required to do when he is grown up; and in order to inculcate this habit in him, and to discourage him in what he is so prone to do—namely, go ahead—you should begin by flinging small bits of meat or boiled liver into small patches of turnips in a garden, or small patches of thick bushes, or any kind of covert that will cause him to seek for it with his nose, and not with his eye. By no means enter your young Spaniels to rabbits if you can avoid it; they take to them naturally when they get the chance, and there is no fear of their not having the opportunity soon enough. Enter them to winged game, by all means, and for this purpose get an old cock partridge, cut one wing, and put him into a small patch of thick covert."Never take young Spaniels into large or thick coverts where they can get away from under your eye. Confine your working ground to small bits of covert, patches of turnips, bushes, bits of gorse—any thing, in fact, where you will be likely to have thorough control over them, and where they are in reach of an attendant; whom you should always have with you to turn them to your whistle. I have found it a first-rate plan to take them out on the sides of rivers and ponds, where there are lots ofmoorhens, and plenty of sedge and rushes; let them hunt in the rushes till they are tired, and a morning's work of this kind will do them more good than anything I know of. They soon become fond of the work; it teaches them to work close, and they are perfectly under the control of yourself and assistant."Teach them early to drop to hand and shot, and spare no pains about it; this is a part of a Spaniel's education which is generally neglected. I know many men who, instead of making them drop to shot, make them come to heel, using the words 'come around,' or 'heel.' It answers every purpose; and as it brings every dog to you, and he has to work right away from you again when he gets the signal, it has its advantages in keeping them under control; but, on the whole, I prefer the dropping to shot and wing instantly. It is difficult to make a Spaniel drop to fur; and if you can keep him from chasing, merely putting up hares and rabbits, but not following them after they are started, rest satisfied that little more is necessary or desirable."I once saw an interesting thing of this kind. I was shooting with a gentleman near Southampton, in one of his coverts, to a team of small Clumbers; we were both standing in a ride, and saw a charming little bitch feathering near us towards the ride. Just as she got to it, out popped a rabbit and scuttleddown the ride, followed out of the covert by the bitch; but as soon as she cleared the wood and was in the ride, close on to the rabbit, which she had not seen till then, down she dropped entirely of her own accord. She had not seen either of us, neither did we know that we were each observing this pretty bit of work until we compared notes a few minutes after, and agreed that we had never seen anything better. It is rather difficult to describe, but to me it was worth all the afternoon's shooting, and it made an impression at the time which is as fresh as ever now. She was, I need scarcely say, thoroughly broken."If it is desired to make young Spaniels take water, and they show any disinclination to it, the best plan is to take them to a stream which you can wade through. Walk through to the other side, and they will probably follow you at once; if they do not, walk straight away from the opposite side and go out of sight; they will come, after making a little fuss about it. If you have not a suitable shallow stream, but are obliged to make use of a deep river for your purpose, get an attendant, whom they do not know, to hold your puppies while you go round by a bridge out of their sight, and come down opposite to them, and follow the instructions I have given above. Remember many young dogs have, at first, a great fear of getting out of their depth all atonce, but will freely dabble into a shallow stream; so that it is best to lead them on by degrees. Once having got off their legs, and finding that it is an easy matter to swim, there will be no further trouble. Always choose warm weather for this teaching. There is, however, no better plan of teaching them to take to the water than letting them hunt moorhens. As to whether Spaniels should be taught to retrieve or not, will depend upon what your requirements are, the number you use, and so on."If you own but one dog, by all means take all the trouble you can to perfect him in this business; and for this purpose you should choose your whelp from a strain that retrieves naturally."If you work three or four Spaniels together, unless they are thoroughly broken, they all want to retrieve, and it is often the cause of much trouble. Nothing looks worse than to see several dogs all tugging at one bird, except, perhaps, the bird itself afterwards. If your dogs are sufficiently broken and under command, and will drop to shot or come to heel, and you can direct either one of them to find the wounded game, while the others remain down or at heel, you can let them take it in turn which shall be allowed the pleasure and honour of recovering the wounded; but how rarely one sees Spaniels so well under command as this. In the case of a team of Spaniels, I think it better that they should not be allowed toretrieve, and this duty is better confined to a regular retriever."It is a good plan with young Spaniels to walk round a covert towards evening, when pheasants are out at feed in the stubbles, having an attendant with you to prevent them getting into covert, and walk in a zigzag way about the stubbles; you can generally give them plenty of practice in this way, and enter them well to the scent of winged game. If your puppies do not readily return to your whistle, but show a disposition to go on, turn your back upon them and go the other way, which will generally have the desired effect—and a rate or a crack of the whip from your attendant will greatly aid it. If a puppy is too fast, put up a fore-leg in his collar, or tie a strap tightly round one hind-leg just above the hock; but neither of these must remain long without changing, or you will produce swelling and inflammation. Apart from the pleasure and satisfaction there is in shooting to dogs of your own breaking, there is this advantage that they learn to understand your ways, and to know thoroughly your every look and motion, while you at the same time perfectly understand them."In selecting young Spaniels to break, if you do not breed your own, be most particular in getting them from a good working strain, of a sort that a friend of mine designates as 'savage for work.'"To work Spaniels in thick, large woods, you should always go with them to work them, or send someone they are accustomed to work with, or they will become wild or slack."SECTION BHoundsCHAPTER VIIIFoxhoundsHarriersOtterhoundsDeerhounds
(being an Extract from "Land and Water")
"Most people are contented if a dog will work within gunshot and push out the game for him to kill. Almost any mongrel with the necessary practice and experience will do this, but I assume that the sportsman takes a pride in his dogs, likes to have good-looking and well-bred ones, and if he wishes to shoot in comfort and in good form when he uses Spaniels, it is quite as necessary to have them well-trained as any other breed of sporting dog. I will therefore give such directions as experience has taught me are useful. I know no dog that more repays the trouble of breaking yourself (that is, if you have the requisite knowledge and patience) than the Spaniel, who, from natural love and affection he has for his master more than any other dog, should be more ready to work for him than anyone else. The Spaniel's natural love of and ardour in hunting require a firm hand over him untilhe is matured. There is an old saying that 'A Spaniel is no good until he is nearly worn out.' There is a great deal of truth in this, and the Spaniel's enthusiasm must be largely reduced before he can get down to cool, earnest work. I recollect an old bitch, that belonged to a Devonshire sportsman, that was so cunning that she used to catch as much game as he shot. When the old man died, I bought the bitch, as she had a great reputation; but she was far too much of a pot-hunter for me. I could have backed her against a moderate gun any day.
"Spaniels get very knowing in working to the gun after a few months, and it is astonishing what efforts they will make to manœuvre the game out to the shooter. I have seen numberless instances of this, particularly in hedgerow shooting, when I have frequently seen a clever old dog, on winding game, not make a rush at it, which would have had the effect of sending it out on the other side, but pop through the fence and push it out to you. This, as I have said, is only acquired by experience; and a young, vigorous Spaniel will sometimes push up the game, irrespective of lending any aid to the gun. A really good Spaniel, even when he is busy questing and bustling about, should always have an eye to the gun, and to work to it instead of for himself and his own gratification and amusement. You cannot well begin too early to train young Spaniels toget their noses down and to hunt close; to work thoroughly every bit of ground and every hole and corner that can possibly shelter a head of game. This is what the Spaniel is required to do when he is grown up; and in order to inculcate this habit in him, and to discourage him in what he is so prone to do—namely, go ahead—you should begin by flinging small bits of meat or boiled liver into small patches of turnips in a garden, or small patches of thick bushes, or any kind of covert that will cause him to seek for it with his nose, and not with his eye. By no means enter your young Spaniels to rabbits if you can avoid it; they take to them naturally when they get the chance, and there is no fear of their not having the opportunity soon enough. Enter them to winged game, by all means, and for this purpose get an old cock partridge, cut one wing, and put him into a small patch of thick covert.
"Never take young Spaniels into large or thick coverts where they can get away from under your eye. Confine your working ground to small bits of covert, patches of turnips, bushes, bits of gorse—any thing, in fact, where you will be likely to have thorough control over them, and where they are in reach of an attendant; whom you should always have with you to turn them to your whistle. I have found it a first-rate plan to take them out on the sides of rivers and ponds, where there are lots ofmoorhens, and plenty of sedge and rushes; let them hunt in the rushes till they are tired, and a morning's work of this kind will do them more good than anything I know of. They soon become fond of the work; it teaches them to work close, and they are perfectly under the control of yourself and assistant.
"Teach them early to drop to hand and shot, and spare no pains about it; this is a part of a Spaniel's education which is generally neglected. I know many men who, instead of making them drop to shot, make them come to heel, using the words 'come around,' or 'heel.' It answers every purpose; and as it brings every dog to you, and he has to work right away from you again when he gets the signal, it has its advantages in keeping them under control; but, on the whole, I prefer the dropping to shot and wing instantly. It is difficult to make a Spaniel drop to fur; and if you can keep him from chasing, merely putting up hares and rabbits, but not following them after they are started, rest satisfied that little more is necessary or desirable.
"I once saw an interesting thing of this kind. I was shooting with a gentleman near Southampton, in one of his coverts, to a team of small Clumbers; we were both standing in a ride, and saw a charming little bitch feathering near us towards the ride. Just as she got to it, out popped a rabbit and scuttleddown the ride, followed out of the covert by the bitch; but as soon as she cleared the wood and was in the ride, close on to the rabbit, which she had not seen till then, down she dropped entirely of her own accord. She had not seen either of us, neither did we know that we were each observing this pretty bit of work until we compared notes a few minutes after, and agreed that we had never seen anything better. It is rather difficult to describe, but to me it was worth all the afternoon's shooting, and it made an impression at the time which is as fresh as ever now. She was, I need scarcely say, thoroughly broken.
"If it is desired to make young Spaniels take water, and they show any disinclination to it, the best plan is to take them to a stream which you can wade through. Walk through to the other side, and they will probably follow you at once; if they do not, walk straight away from the opposite side and go out of sight; they will come, after making a little fuss about it. If you have not a suitable shallow stream, but are obliged to make use of a deep river for your purpose, get an attendant, whom they do not know, to hold your puppies while you go round by a bridge out of their sight, and come down opposite to them, and follow the instructions I have given above. Remember many young dogs have, at first, a great fear of getting out of their depth all atonce, but will freely dabble into a shallow stream; so that it is best to lead them on by degrees. Once having got off their legs, and finding that it is an easy matter to swim, there will be no further trouble. Always choose warm weather for this teaching. There is, however, no better plan of teaching them to take to the water than letting them hunt moorhens. As to whether Spaniels should be taught to retrieve or not, will depend upon what your requirements are, the number you use, and so on.
"If you own but one dog, by all means take all the trouble you can to perfect him in this business; and for this purpose you should choose your whelp from a strain that retrieves naturally.
"If you work three or four Spaniels together, unless they are thoroughly broken, they all want to retrieve, and it is often the cause of much trouble. Nothing looks worse than to see several dogs all tugging at one bird, except, perhaps, the bird itself afterwards. If your dogs are sufficiently broken and under command, and will drop to shot or come to heel, and you can direct either one of them to find the wounded game, while the others remain down or at heel, you can let them take it in turn which shall be allowed the pleasure and honour of recovering the wounded; but how rarely one sees Spaniels so well under command as this. In the case of a team of Spaniels, I think it better that they should not be allowed toretrieve, and this duty is better confined to a regular retriever.
"It is a good plan with young Spaniels to walk round a covert towards evening, when pheasants are out at feed in the stubbles, having an attendant with you to prevent them getting into covert, and walk in a zigzag way about the stubbles; you can generally give them plenty of practice in this way, and enter them well to the scent of winged game. If your puppies do not readily return to your whistle, but show a disposition to go on, turn your back upon them and go the other way, which will generally have the desired effect—and a rate or a crack of the whip from your attendant will greatly aid it. If a puppy is too fast, put up a fore-leg in his collar, or tie a strap tightly round one hind-leg just above the hock; but neither of these must remain long without changing, or you will produce swelling and inflammation. Apart from the pleasure and satisfaction there is in shooting to dogs of your own breaking, there is this advantage that they learn to understand your ways, and to know thoroughly your every look and motion, while you at the same time perfectly understand them.
"In selecting young Spaniels to break, if you do not breed your own, be most particular in getting them from a good working strain, of a sort that a friend of mine designates as 'savage for work.'
"To work Spaniels in thick, large woods, you should always go with them to work them, or send someone they are accustomed to work with, or they will become wild or slack."
SECTION B
Hounds
CHAPTER VIII
Foxhounds
Harriers
Otterhounds
Deerhounds
CHAPTER VIIIThe FoxhoundAt no period of English history has fox-hunting, with Horse and Hound, been more vigorously pursued than it is during the twentieth century.Scattered from north to south, east to west, are approximately some two hundred packs of these magnificent specimens of the canine race.Judging from the excellent sport enjoyed by the majority of hunts during this last season, one has no need to be sceptical as to the progress and continuance of this grand and manly form of sport. Looking back on the times when such great followers of the chase as Peter Beckford and Mr Apperley ("Nimrod"), one is apt to think that through lapse of time, agricultural depression, and inroads made into the country through commercial industry, fox-hunting might well-nigh have become a sport of the past, but, happily, this is not so.Given good weather and a favourable season, there is as good sport to be obtained with Horse and Hound as in the days of Beckford. The modern Foxhound,has, by selection, been derived from the old Southern Hound, a dog that had longer ears, was heavier built, and slower.This Hound was supposed to have been used by the Ancient Britons for hunting the larger game present at that time.The number of Hounds constituting a pack varies, and if the pack is a very large one, the dogs and bitches are hunted alternately.As to which is the best for hunting, opinions vary.From twelve to twenty-five couples may be taken as the average number working at one time.The following is a description of the Foxhound, taken from theFoxhound Stud Book:—Head, of full size, but by no means heavy.Brow pronounced but not high or sharp.There must be good length and breadth, sufficient to give in the dog Hound a girth in front of the ears of fully 16 inches. The nose should be long (4½ inches) and wide, with dilated nostrils.Ears set on low and lying close to the cheek.The neck must be long and clean, without the slightest throatiness. It should taper nicely from the shoulders to the head, and the upper outline should be slightly convex.The shoulders ought to be long and well clothed with muscle without being heavy, especially at the points. They must be well sloped, and the arm must be long and muscular, but free from fat and lumbar.Mr Walter Winans' Pack of Hounds and Master.Enemies at Peace—Foxhound Nameless and Tame Dog Fox(Property of MrWalter Winans).The chest should girth over 30 inches in a 24-inch Hound, and back ribs to be deep. The back and the loin both ought to be very muscular, running into each other without any contraction (waist) or nipping between them.The couples must be wide even to raggedness, and there should be the slightest arch in the loin, so as to be scarcely perceptible.The hind-quarters, or propellers, are required to be very strong, and as endurance is of even more consequence than speed, straight stifles are preferred to those much bent, as in the Greyhound.Elbows set quite straight, neither turned in nor out, are asine qua non. They must be well let down by means of the long true arm previously mentioned.Every Master of Foxhounds insists on legs as straight as an arrow and very strong; size of bone at knees and stifles being specially regarded as important.Not much attention is paid to colour and coat, so long as of good Hound colour, and the latter short, dense, hard and glossy. Typical Hound colours are: black, white and tan (tricolour), black and white and the various "pies," compounded of white and the colours of the hare and badger, or yellow and tan.In some old strains the "blue mottle" of theSouthern Hound is still preserved. The stern is gently arched, coming gaily over the back and slightly fringed with hair below. It should taper to a point. The symmetry of the Foxhound is considerable, and what is called "quality" is highly regarded by all Hound judges. Dogs ought to weigh 70 to 80 lbs. and bitches from 60 to 70 lbs.As to height, this varies in accordance with the country over which the Hounds have to hunt. From 22 up to 26 inches, but between these heights is general.It is a very old custom to crop the young Hounds' ears with scissors, the operation being known as "rounding". It is done with the object of preventing the ears from becoming lacerated by briars, etc.Recently there has been a good deal of discussion as to the necessity for a continuance of this practice, many asserting that it is not necessary, and constitutes cruelty.As to the cruelty, there can be no two opinions.The Kennel Club put their veto on the cropping of Bull-terriers, Black-and-tan Terriers, Boarhounds, etc., and there is little doubt that in course of time small ears will be the result. The old type of Foxhound had very much bigger ears than the modern one.All things considered, the author is of opinion that the time has arrived for total abolition of this cruel operation.The following is a list of some of the principal packs of Foxhounds inEnglandAlbrighton.Atherston.Badsworth.Beaufort, Duke of.Berkley, Old West.Bicester.Blackmore Vale.Blankney.Braham Moor.Burton.Cambridgeshire.Cornwall, North.Do., East.Cotswold.Do., North.Devon, East.Do., Mid.Do., South.Oxford, South.Quorn.Shropshire, South.Staffordshire, North and South.Worcester.Taunton Vale.Zetland.Warwick, North.Do.Dorset.Essex.Fitzhardinge, Lord.Fitzwilliam, Earl.Flint and Denbigh.Grafton.Kent, East.Do., West.Ledbury.Meynell.Oakley.Rutland, Duke of.Sussex.Tredegar, Lord.York and Ainsty.Whaddon Chase.Yarborough, Earl of.Some Packs in ScotlandBuccleuch, Duke of.Lanark and Renfrew.Fife.Eglinton.Some Packs in IrelandMeath.Wexford.King's County.Louth.Waterford.Tipperary.Galway County.Carberry.Carlow.HarriersAlthough there are packs of Harriers in various parts of the country, they are of a very limited number, hare-hunting with Hounds being a very inferior sport to that of fox-hunting. Moreover, hares are not as plentiful as in the days of our forefathers, in a large measure arising through diminished agricultural industry and commercial relations.That good sport is still to be had with Harriers we do not for a moment dispute, but it is not general.Formerly "dwarf" foxhounds were used for hare-hunting, though proved not to be equal to the typical Harrier for this purpose.Harriers vary in their height according to the nature of the country they have to work in.Lecturer—A Member of the Crickhowell Harriers.From 16 to 20 inches is the general height, sometimes a trifle more, or less.Unless very carefully trained, Harriers will hunt rabbits, and then they are with difficulty broken of this vice.The most useful colour is black, white and tan (tricolour), but hare, red, tan, badger and yellow pies are frequent.Throughout, the Harrier should be symmetrical, have a large nose, dilated nostrils, ears low set on and lying close to the cheeks, and the neck long and strong. A short neck is a defective one.There must be no loose skin, such as dewlap, etc., in this region.Elbows well let down and carried in the same line as body.Loins.—Broad; and back straight, strong, and wide.Back ribs.—Deep.Chest.—Deep, but not wide.Fore-limbs.—Straight as a line, well rounded and of good bone and substance. Feet must be hard and compact.Strong hind-quarters, and a gay carriage of tail are typical of a well-built Harrier.Coat.—Dense, smooth (not coarse), and glossy.Twenty couples were considered by the late Peter Beckford as constituting a full pack of Harriers, though there is no fixed number for this purpose.Our illustration represents one of the Crickhowell Harriers, and for the picture I am indebted to Mr Stanhope Lovell of Crickhowell.[3]The OtterhoundOtter-hunting is a very ancient sport, otter dogs being used during the reign of King John.The Hounds in those days had not the beauty of the present-day Otterhound, as very different types of dogs were then used,e.g., a cross-bred Terrier, Foxhounds, etc.One of the best packs of Otterhounds in this country are those belonging to the Dumfriesshire otter-hunt, the River Tweed affording the pack excellent hunting ground. It is an old-established pack, and has always given, we believe, the best of sport.Looking at a typical specimen of this breed, one is not slow to recognise a "workman all over."To a casual observer he has the appearance of a rough-coated—if such there can be—Bloodhound.These dogs weigh from about 65 to 80 or 90 lbs., and the bitch Hounds 10 or 15 lbs. less, and of different colours, but grizzle (black and grey), and tan is the most general.Colour.—Fawn, yellow, blue and white and black-and-tanare frequently seen. The last-named colour should not be encouraged in these Hounds.White markings are common.His coat should be dense, of a wiry texture, shaggy in appearance, and of a water-resisting nature.When judging these dogs, particular attention is paid to the coat.A soft coat is decidedly objectionable, so is one that is thin.Height.—About 25 inches.Eyes.—Deeply sunk, thoughtful, showing the "haw" plainly.Ears.—Long and sweeping, hanging closely to the cheeks.Skull.—The peak is less prominent than that of the Bloodhound and the head shorter, but the flews large and loose. Like the ears, it is covered by shaggy hair, softer than that on the body. Beneath the lower jaw there is a moustache. Large teeth and powerful jaws are indispensable in an encounter with an otter.Of Foxhound-like conformation, the frame is of stouter build altogether.Neck.—Thick, of medium length, ending in very powerful shoulders and arms, and the chest must be deep, running and swimming demanding a sound heart and lungs. Dewlap loose. A strong back and loins, the latter slightly arched, an additional qualificationof the breed. Should be shorter in the leg than a Foxhound, but have big-boned, muscular limbs, with large feet, close, and horny below.These Hounds hunt both by scent and by sight, their scenting-power being developed to a remarkable degree.The music of Otterhounds is rich, deep and mellow.The DeerhoundRegarding the origin of the Scottish Deerhound there is very little reliable information, though there can be no questioning the fact that it is a variety of dog indigenous to the Highlands, and bred specially for the purpose of hunting the deer.About forty-five years since there were not many of these Hounds in England, and even in their native land at, or about, this period, they were by no means common.Although powerful and swift dogs, they are only used to a very limited extent, and breeders of these Hounds keep them more for companionship, and exhibition purposes.They make excellent watch-dogs, and are exceedingly hardy.The following description is that issued by the Deerhound Club:—Head.—The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose.The muzzle to be pointed, but the teeth and lips level.The head ought to be long, the skull flat, rather than round, with a very slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing approaching a "stop."The skull should be coated with moderately long hair, which is softer than the rest of the coat.The nose to be black (although in some blue fawns the colour is blue) and slightly aquiline.In the lighter coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a good moustache of rather silky hair and a fair beard.Ears.—These to be set on "high," and in repose folded back like those of the Greyhound, though raised above the head during excitement without losing the fold, and, in some cases, semi-erect.A "prick" ear is bad.A big, thick ear hanging flat to the head, orheavily coated with long hair, is one of the worst faults. The ear should be soft, glossy and like a mouse's coat to the touch, and the smaller it is, the better. It should have no long coat or long fringe, but there is often a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and the tip.Whatever the general colour, the ears ought to be black, or dark coloured.Neck and Shoulders.—The neck should be long—that is, of the length that befits the Greyhound character of the dog.An overlong neck is neither necessary nor desirable, for the dog is not required to stoop to his work like a Greyhound, and it must be remembered that the mane, which every good specimen should have, detracts from the apparent length of the neck.Moreover, a Deerhound requires a very strong neck to hold a stag.The nape of the neck must be very prominent where the head is set on, and the throat clean cut at the angle, and prominent.Shoulders to be of good slope and blades well back. Loaded and straight shoulders are faulty ones.Stern.—To be tolerably long, tapering and reaching to within 1½ inches of the ground, and about the same distance below hocks.When the Hound is at rest, tail ought to be quite straight down, or curved.Deerhound Champion St Ronan's Rhyme(Property of MrHarry Rawson).Deerhound Dog Champion Selwood Morven(Property of MrHarry Rawson).During excitement, curved, and in no case lifted out of the line of the back.It should be well covered with hair on the inside, thick and woolly, underside longer, and a slight fringe near tip not objectionable. A curl or ring tail very faulty.Eyes.—These should be dark; generally they are dark brown or hazel. A very light eye is not liked. The eye is moderately full, with a soft look during repose, but a keen, far-away expression when the Hound is roused. Rims of eyelids ought to be black.Body.—The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound, of larger size and bone.Chest deep, rather than broad, but not too narrow, and flat-sided. The loin well arched, and drooping to the tail. A straight back is not desirable, this formation being unsuitable for uphill work, and very unsightly.Legs and Feet.—The legs to be broad and flat, with good broad forearms and elbows.Straight fore-limbs, and close compact feet.The hind-quarters to be drooping, and as broad and powerful as possible, the hips being set wide apart.The hind-legs to be well bent at the stifle, with great length from hips to hocks, and the latter broad and flat.Cow-hocks, weak pasterns, straight stifles, and splay feet are the worst of faults.Coat.—The hair on the body, neck, and quarters should be hard and wiry, and about 3 or 4 inches in length, and that on the head, breast, and belly much softer. There ought to be a slight hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind legs, but nothing approaching the feather of a Collie.The Deerhound ought to be a shaggy dog, but not overcoated. A woolly coat is a bad one.Some good strains have a mixture of silky coat with the hard, and this is preferable to a woolly coat. The proper Deerhound coat is thick, close-lying, ragged, and harsh or crisp to the feel.Colour.—More a matter for individual fancy.A dark blue-grey most preferred, and after this, darker and lighter grey, or brindles, the darkest being preferred.Yellow, sandy-red, or red-fawn, with black points (i.e., ears and muzzle), are equally esteemed, more so because two of the oldest strains—the M'Neil and Chesthill Menzies—are of these colours.White is condemned by all the old authorities, but a white chest and white toes, occurring as they do in a great many of the darkest coloured dogs, are not so much objected to, though less the better, as the Deerhound is a self-coloured dog.A white blaze on the head, or a white collar, should entirelydisqualify.A white tip on tail occurs in most strains.Height of Dogs.—From 28 to 30 inches.Height of Bitches.—From 26 inches upwards.A big bitch is better for breeding and keeping up size. Ought not to exceed the height of the dog under any circumstances.Weight.—Dogs, 85 to 105 lbs. Bitches, 65 to 80 lbs.Mr Rawson, of Joppa, kindly supplied me with photographs.The Total Points Required for a DeerhoundCharacter—Length and shape of head10Ears6Beard and eyebrows3Eyes5Coat7Neck5Tail4Nails2Teeth5——47Body—Height at shoulder10Substance and girth9Length and symmetry of body9——28Limbs—Loins and hocks10Fore-limbs8Feet7——25——Total100═══SECTION CHoundsCHAPTER IXBloodhoundsIrish WolfhoundsGreyhoundsWhippets
At no period of English history has fox-hunting, with Horse and Hound, been more vigorously pursued than it is during the twentieth century.
Scattered from north to south, east to west, are approximately some two hundred packs of these magnificent specimens of the canine race.
Judging from the excellent sport enjoyed by the majority of hunts during this last season, one has no need to be sceptical as to the progress and continuance of this grand and manly form of sport. Looking back on the times when such great followers of the chase as Peter Beckford and Mr Apperley ("Nimrod"), one is apt to think that through lapse of time, agricultural depression, and inroads made into the country through commercial industry, fox-hunting might well-nigh have become a sport of the past, but, happily, this is not so.
Given good weather and a favourable season, there is as good sport to be obtained with Horse and Hound as in the days of Beckford. The modern Foxhound,has, by selection, been derived from the old Southern Hound, a dog that had longer ears, was heavier built, and slower.
This Hound was supposed to have been used by the Ancient Britons for hunting the larger game present at that time.
The number of Hounds constituting a pack varies, and if the pack is a very large one, the dogs and bitches are hunted alternately.
As to which is the best for hunting, opinions vary.
From twelve to twenty-five couples may be taken as the average number working at one time.
The following is a description of the Foxhound, taken from theFoxhound Stud Book:—
Head, of full size, but by no means heavy.
Brow pronounced but not high or sharp.
There must be good length and breadth, sufficient to give in the dog Hound a girth in front of the ears of fully 16 inches. The nose should be long (4½ inches) and wide, with dilated nostrils.
Ears set on low and lying close to the cheek.
The neck must be long and clean, without the slightest throatiness. It should taper nicely from the shoulders to the head, and the upper outline should be slightly convex.
The shoulders ought to be long and well clothed with muscle without being heavy, especially at the points. They must be well sloped, and the arm must be long and muscular, but free from fat and lumbar.
Mr Walter Winans' Pack of Hounds and Master.
Mr Walter Winans' Pack of Hounds and Master.
Mr Walter Winans' Pack of Hounds and Master.
Enemies at Peace—Foxhound Nameless and Tame Dog Fox(Property of MrWalter Winans).
Enemies at Peace—Foxhound Nameless and Tame Dog Fox(Property of MrWalter Winans).
Enemies at Peace—Foxhound Nameless and Tame Dog Fox(Property of MrWalter Winans).
The chest should girth over 30 inches in a 24-inch Hound, and back ribs to be deep. The back and the loin both ought to be very muscular, running into each other without any contraction (waist) or nipping between them.
The couples must be wide even to raggedness, and there should be the slightest arch in the loin, so as to be scarcely perceptible.
The hind-quarters, or propellers, are required to be very strong, and as endurance is of even more consequence than speed, straight stifles are preferred to those much bent, as in the Greyhound.
Elbows set quite straight, neither turned in nor out, are asine qua non. They must be well let down by means of the long true arm previously mentioned.
Every Master of Foxhounds insists on legs as straight as an arrow and very strong; size of bone at knees and stifles being specially regarded as important.
Not much attention is paid to colour and coat, so long as of good Hound colour, and the latter short, dense, hard and glossy. Typical Hound colours are: black, white and tan (tricolour), black and white and the various "pies," compounded of white and the colours of the hare and badger, or yellow and tan.
In some old strains the "blue mottle" of theSouthern Hound is still preserved. The stern is gently arched, coming gaily over the back and slightly fringed with hair below. It should taper to a point. The symmetry of the Foxhound is considerable, and what is called "quality" is highly regarded by all Hound judges. Dogs ought to weigh 70 to 80 lbs. and bitches from 60 to 70 lbs.
As to height, this varies in accordance with the country over which the Hounds have to hunt. From 22 up to 26 inches, but between these heights is general.
It is a very old custom to crop the young Hounds' ears with scissors, the operation being known as "rounding". It is done with the object of preventing the ears from becoming lacerated by briars, etc.
Recently there has been a good deal of discussion as to the necessity for a continuance of this practice, many asserting that it is not necessary, and constitutes cruelty.
As to the cruelty, there can be no two opinions.
The Kennel Club put their veto on the cropping of Bull-terriers, Black-and-tan Terriers, Boarhounds, etc., and there is little doubt that in course of time small ears will be the result. The old type of Foxhound had very much bigger ears than the modern one.
All things considered, the author is of opinion that the time has arrived for total abolition of this cruel operation.
The following is a list of some of the principal packs of Foxhounds in
England
Albrighton.Atherston.Badsworth.Beaufort, Duke of.Berkley, Old West.Bicester.Blackmore Vale.Blankney.Braham Moor.Burton.Cambridgeshire.Cornwall, North.Do., East.Cotswold.Do., North.Devon, East.Do., Mid.Do., South.Oxford, South.Quorn.Shropshire, South.Staffordshire, North and South.Worcester.Taunton Vale.Zetland.Warwick, North.Do.Dorset.Essex.Fitzhardinge, Lord.Fitzwilliam, Earl.Flint and Denbigh.Grafton.Kent, East.Do., West.Ledbury.Meynell.Oakley.Rutland, Duke of.Sussex.Tredegar, Lord.York and Ainsty.Whaddon Chase.Yarborough, Earl of.
Some Packs in Scotland
Buccleuch, Duke of.Lanark and Renfrew.Fife.Eglinton.
Some Packs in Ireland
Meath.Wexford.King's County.Louth.Waterford.Tipperary.Galway County.Carberry.Carlow.
Although there are packs of Harriers in various parts of the country, they are of a very limited number, hare-hunting with Hounds being a very inferior sport to that of fox-hunting. Moreover, hares are not as plentiful as in the days of our forefathers, in a large measure arising through diminished agricultural industry and commercial relations.
That good sport is still to be had with Harriers we do not for a moment dispute, but it is not general.
Formerly "dwarf" foxhounds were used for hare-hunting, though proved not to be equal to the typical Harrier for this purpose.
Harriers vary in their height according to the nature of the country they have to work in.
Lecturer—A Member of the Crickhowell Harriers.
Lecturer—A Member of the Crickhowell Harriers.
Lecturer—A Member of the Crickhowell Harriers.
From 16 to 20 inches is the general height, sometimes a trifle more, or less.
Unless very carefully trained, Harriers will hunt rabbits, and then they are with difficulty broken of this vice.
The most useful colour is black, white and tan (tricolour), but hare, red, tan, badger and yellow pies are frequent.
Throughout, the Harrier should be symmetrical, have a large nose, dilated nostrils, ears low set on and lying close to the cheeks, and the neck long and strong. A short neck is a defective one.
There must be no loose skin, such as dewlap, etc., in this region.
Elbows well let down and carried in the same line as body.
Loins.—Broad; and back straight, strong, and wide.
Back ribs.—Deep.
Chest.—Deep, but not wide.
Fore-limbs.—Straight as a line, well rounded and of good bone and substance. Feet must be hard and compact.
Strong hind-quarters, and a gay carriage of tail are typical of a well-built Harrier.
Coat.—Dense, smooth (not coarse), and glossy.
Twenty couples were considered by the late Peter Beckford as constituting a full pack of Harriers, though there is no fixed number for this purpose.
Our illustration represents one of the Crickhowell Harriers, and for the picture I am indebted to Mr Stanhope Lovell of Crickhowell.[3]
Otter-hunting is a very ancient sport, otter dogs being used during the reign of King John.
The Hounds in those days had not the beauty of the present-day Otterhound, as very different types of dogs were then used,e.g., a cross-bred Terrier, Foxhounds, etc.
One of the best packs of Otterhounds in this country are those belonging to the Dumfriesshire otter-hunt, the River Tweed affording the pack excellent hunting ground. It is an old-established pack, and has always given, we believe, the best of sport.
Looking at a typical specimen of this breed, one is not slow to recognise a "workman all over."
To a casual observer he has the appearance of a rough-coated—if such there can be—Bloodhound.
These dogs weigh from about 65 to 80 or 90 lbs., and the bitch Hounds 10 or 15 lbs. less, and of different colours, but grizzle (black and grey), and tan is the most general.
Colour.—Fawn, yellow, blue and white and black-and-tanare frequently seen. The last-named colour should not be encouraged in these Hounds.
White markings are common.
His coat should be dense, of a wiry texture, shaggy in appearance, and of a water-resisting nature.
When judging these dogs, particular attention is paid to the coat.
A soft coat is decidedly objectionable, so is one that is thin.
Height.—About 25 inches.
Eyes.—Deeply sunk, thoughtful, showing the "haw" plainly.
Ears.—Long and sweeping, hanging closely to the cheeks.
Skull.—The peak is less prominent than that of the Bloodhound and the head shorter, but the flews large and loose. Like the ears, it is covered by shaggy hair, softer than that on the body. Beneath the lower jaw there is a moustache. Large teeth and powerful jaws are indispensable in an encounter with an otter.
Of Foxhound-like conformation, the frame is of stouter build altogether.
Neck.—Thick, of medium length, ending in very powerful shoulders and arms, and the chest must be deep, running and swimming demanding a sound heart and lungs. Dewlap loose. A strong back and loins, the latter slightly arched, an additional qualificationof the breed. Should be shorter in the leg than a Foxhound, but have big-boned, muscular limbs, with large feet, close, and horny below.
These Hounds hunt both by scent and by sight, their scenting-power being developed to a remarkable degree.
The music of Otterhounds is rich, deep and mellow.
Regarding the origin of the Scottish Deerhound there is very little reliable information, though there can be no questioning the fact that it is a variety of dog indigenous to the Highlands, and bred specially for the purpose of hunting the deer.
About forty-five years since there were not many of these Hounds in England, and even in their native land at, or about, this period, they were by no means common.
Although powerful and swift dogs, they are only used to a very limited extent, and breeders of these Hounds keep them more for companionship, and exhibition purposes.
They make excellent watch-dogs, and are exceedingly hardy.
The following description is that issued by the Deerhound Club:—
Head.—The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose.
The muzzle to be pointed, but the teeth and lips level.
The head ought to be long, the skull flat, rather than round, with a very slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing approaching a "stop."
The skull should be coated with moderately long hair, which is softer than the rest of the coat.
The nose to be black (although in some blue fawns the colour is blue) and slightly aquiline.
In the lighter coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a good moustache of rather silky hair and a fair beard.
Ears.—These to be set on "high," and in repose folded back like those of the Greyhound, though raised above the head during excitement without losing the fold, and, in some cases, semi-erect.
A "prick" ear is bad.
A big, thick ear hanging flat to the head, orheavily coated with long hair, is one of the worst faults. The ear should be soft, glossy and like a mouse's coat to the touch, and the smaller it is, the better. It should have no long coat or long fringe, but there is often a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and the tip.
Whatever the general colour, the ears ought to be black, or dark coloured.
Neck and Shoulders.—The neck should be long—that is, of the length that befits the Greyhound character of the dog.
An overlong neck is neither necessary nor desirable, for the dog is not required to stoop to his work like a Greyhound, and it must be remembered that the mane, which every good specimen should have, detracts from the apparent length of the neck.
Moreover, a Deerhound requires a very strong neck to hold a stag.
The nape of the neck must be very prominent where the head is set on, and the throat clean cut at the angle, and prominent.
Shoulders to be of good slope and blades well back. Loaded and straight shoulders are faulty ones.
Stern.—To be tolerably long, tapering and reaching to within 1½ inches of the ground, and about the same distance below hocks.
When the Hound is at rest, tail ought to be quite straight down, or curved.
Deerhound Champion St Ronan's Rhyme(Property of MrHarry Rawson).
Deerhound Champion St Ronan's Rhyme(Property of MrHarry Rawson).
Deerhound Champion St Ronan's Rhyme(Property of MrHarry Rawson).
Deerhound Dog Champion Selwood Morven(Property of MrHarry Rawson).
Deerhound Dog Champion Selwood Morven(Property of MrHarry Rawson).
Deerhound Dog Champion Selwood Morven(Property of MrHarry Rawson).
During excitement, curved, and in no case lifted out of the line of the back.
It should be well covered with hair on the inside, thick and woolly, underside longer, and a slight fringe near tip not objectionable. A curl or ring tail very faulty.
Eyes.—These should be dark; generally they are dark brown or hazel. A very light eye is not liked. The eye is moderately full, with a soft look during repose, but a keen, far-away expression when the Hound is roused. Rims of eyelids ought to be black.
Body.—The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound, of larger size and bone.
Chest deep, rather than broad, but not too narrow, and flat-sided. The loin well arched, and drooping to the tail. A straight back is not desirable, this formation being unsuitable for uphill work, and very unsightly.
Legs and Feet.—The legs to be broad and flat, with good broad forearms and elbows.
Straight fore-limbs, and close compact feet.
The hind-quarters to be drooping, and as broad and powerful as possible, the hips being set wide apart.
The hind-legs to be well bent at the stifle, with great length from hips to hocks, and the latter broad and flat.
Cow-hocks, weak pasterns, straight stifles, and splay feet are the worst of faults.
Coat.—The hair on the body, neck, and quarters should be hard and wiry, and about 3 or 4 inches in length, and that on the head, breast, and belly much softer. There ought to be a slight hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind legs, but nothing approaching the feather of a Collie.
The Deerhound ought to be a shaggy dog, but not overcoated. A woolly coat is a bad one.
Some good strains have a mixture of silky coat with the hard, and this is preferable to a woolly coat. The proper Deerhound coat is thick, close-lying, ragged, and harsh or crisp to the feel.
Colour.—More a matter for individual fancy.
A dark blue-grey most preferred, and after this, darker and lighter grey, or brindles, the darkest being preferred.
Yellow, sandy-red, or red-fawn, with black points (i.e., ears and muzzle), are equally esteemed, more so because two of the oldest strains—the M'Neil and Chesthill Menzies—are of these colours.
White is condemned by all the old authorities, but a white chest and white toes, occurring as they do in a great many of the darkest coloured dogs, are not so much objected to, though less the better, as the Deerhound is a self-coloured dog.
A white blaze on the head, or a white collar, should entirelydisqualify.
A white tip on tail occurs in most strains.
Height of Dogs.—From 28 to 30 inches.
Height of Bitches.—From 26 inches upwards.
A big bitch is better for breeding and keeping up size. Ought not to exceed the height of the dog under any circumstances.
Weight.—Dogs, 85 to 105 lbs. Bitches, 65 to 80 lbs.
Mr Rawson, of Joppa, kindly supplied me with photographs.
The Total Points Required for a Deerhound
SECTION C
Hounds
CHAPTER IX
Bloodhounds
Irish Wolfhounds
Greyhounds
Whippets
CHAPTER IXThe BloodhoundFor several centuries at least, the Bloodhound has existed as a distinct variety of the canine race. According to Jesse, the earliest mention of Bloodhounds was during the reign of Henry III., and that the breed originated from the Talbot, brought over by William the Conqueror, and very similar to a breed from St Hubert's Abbey and Ardennes, which, according to the old legends, was imported by St Hubert, from the south of Gaul, about the sixth century.The Talbot was the popular Hound from the twelfth to the sixteenth century, becoming extinct about the end of the last century."The Southern Hound, another very old breed, showing many characteristics of the Bloodhound, is difficult to find now in his pure state, although many old packs of Harriers have descended chiefly from Southern Hounds. The best authorities agree that the St Hubert, Talbot, and Bloodhound are all closely allied."The foregoing is an extract from theCentury, by E. Brough.These Hounds were used by Henry VIII. in the wars in France; by the Spaniards in Mexico, and by Queen Elizabeth against the Irish.One of the most remarkable features of the Bloodhound is found in his abilities to track the footsteps of strangers, but in towns and cities he is quite useless for this purpose.Within recent years, these Hounds have frequently been employed with the object of tracking a criminal, and in some instances, we believe, with very satisfactory results.In appearance the Bloodhound has a very stately bearing, and usually of a kindly disposition.On the hunt their music is deep and bell-like.Although generally of good constitution, Bloodhound puppies are very troublesome to rear, distemper being the scourge to which most of them succumb.For the photograph of the beautiful quartet, the author is indebted to Mrs Chapman of Thrapston, and to this lady, and Mr Fall for the lovely picture of the head of Champion Sultan.The points of the Bloodhound are as follows:—1.Head.—This is characteristic.The skin covering the forehead and cheeks is heavily wrinkled, the more so the better. Reference to the picture showing the head of Sultan shows the remarkable expression in this region.A Quartet of Typical Bloodhounds(the Property of MrsChapman, Thrapston).The occipital dome is high but not wide, and very round. At the top it forms a peak.The nasal surface,i.e., from eyes to nose, is very long, so that from peak to nose it may measure as much as a foot. The brows are prominent; the flews very long—sometimes a couple of inches—and the nostrils large and well dilated.Eyes.—Small, hazel in colour, deeply sunk, and should show a great deal of "haw,"i.e., themembrana nictitans, or third eyelid. These features are very characteristic of the Bloodhound.Long ears, thin, soft to the feel, set on low down, hanging close to cheeks, and meeting, when pulled together, over the nose.The facial expression ought to appear quick and penetrating.2.Legs and Feet.—There must be plenty of bone and muscle here; strong knees; straight and round well-formed, cat-like feet.3.Chest and Shoulders.—Width and fair depth are desirable, the shoulder being very strong, the arm also strong.4.Neck.—A long neck is essential, and the dewlap should be well developed.5.Ribs, Back and Loin.—Well-sprung ribs, with a wide back, of moderate length, and strong loins.6.Hind-quarters and Limbs.—There should not be much more than skin, bone, and muscle in these regions. The hocks are strong and coarse. Must not be cow-hocked.7.Tail.—Gay carriage as in other Hounds. At rest tail is down.8.Coat and Colour.—Black-and-tan. The black hair is generally blended with the tan, and this ought to be of a deep red. Some Hounds are tan-coloured only. Lion colour uncommon, but coveted. The body coat short and hard, but on the ears, and head, fine and soft.Height.—For dogs, about 2 ft. 3 in.; bitches, 2 ft. (measured at shoulder).Club.—Bloodhound Breeders' Association, particulars of this being given.THE ASSOCIATION OF BLOODHOUND BREEDERS(Founded 1897)Objects of the Association1. To foster the interests of the breed generally.2. To establish a Fund by means of a subscription of 10 per cent. of all money prizes that each member may have won and received, as provided by the Rules.3. To approach Show Committees with the viewof obtaining extended Classification in the Bloodhound Classes.4. To promote Stakes in connection with the progeny of Stud Dogs.5. To promote Stakes in connection with the progeny of Brood Bitches.6. To offer prizes for competition at Shows in addition to those offered by Show Committees.7. To do everything possible to promote, by trials or otherwise, the training of Bloodhounds to hunt man.Rules and RegulationsMembers1. The Association shall consist of an unlimited number of Honorary Members and Members, who shall be persons interested in the promotion of the breeding and training of Bloodhounds, whose names and addresses shall be entered in a register to be kept by the Secretary.Honorary Members2. The Committee shall have power to elect as Honorary Members any persons whose election may be considered beneficial to the interest of the Association. Honorary Members to be exempt from paying the Annual Subscription, and shall notparticipate in any benefits to be derived from the Association, nor take any part in its management.Mode of Election3. Each Candidate for Membership shall be proposed by one Member and seconded by another, and the election shall be vested absolutely in the Committee.Subscription4. The Annual Subscription shall be One Guinea, payable on the 1st of January.Members' Prize Fund5. Each member shall, during the continuance of his membership, contribute to a fund, to be known as The Members' Prize Fund, 10 per cent. of all money prizes received by him (except out of the Fund) during each year, and won for Bloodhounds at Shows and Trials held under Kennel Club Rules.6. The Fund shall be closed on the 31st December in each year, and the amount received shall be offered for competition amongst the Members during the year following in such manner as the Committee may deem fit.7. No Member shall be entitled to compete for prizes offered out of a Fund subscribed for whilst heshall not have been a Member, except as provided by Rule 8.8. No Member shall be entitled to compete for prizes offered out of the Fund subscribed during the year during which he shall have been elected a Member, unless he shall have, within one month of his election, paid to the Association 10 per cent. of all money prizes previously received by him during that year for Bloodhounds at Shows and Trials held under Kennel Club Rules.Members in Arrear9. No Member shall be allowed to vote or compete for Association Prizes, or in any way whatsoever enjoy any of the privileges of Membership, whilst his current subscription and any other debts due by him to the Association are outstanding, and for which application has been made.10. The Committee shall have power to erase the name from the list of Members of any Member whose subscription remains unpaid on 31st day of March.Executive11. The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a Chairman, a Committee of five, a Treasurer and a Secretary. All officers of the Association shall be Honorary, and no Membershall be allowed to make the Association a means of private speculation or trade, or to derive money profit through it. The Chairman, Treasurer, and Hon. Secretary shall beex-officioMembers of the Committee.12. The Executive shall be elected annually, as provided by Rule 22:—Chairman, MrEdwin Brough;Committee, MrWalter Evans, MrH. C. Hodson, MrArthur O. Mudie, MrW. K. Taunton, MrJ. Sidney Turner;Hon. Secretary, MrEdgar Farman.Annual General Meeting13. An Annual General Meeting shall be held in January, for the purpose of electing the officers of the Association for the ensuing year.Powers of the Committee14. The management of the Association shall be wholly vested in the Committee, which shall have the power to call meetings of the Association, to make necessary bye-laws and rescind the same, arbitrate in disputed matters, the absolute power of the election of Members, and the right to refuse the admission of or remove from the Association any person deemed objectionable. The Committee shall also have the sole power to deal with the funds and property of the Association in its absolute discretion,also to deal with any question or matter not provided for by these Rules, and also elect persons to fill up any vacancy occurring in its numbers. Such elections to be confirmed at the next Committee Meeting, and such persons shall continue in office until the next Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall decide upon the value and nature of the prizes to be offered at the various Shows and Trials.Meetings15. There shall be a meeting of the Committee as often as deemed necessary—three shall form a quorum. There shall be Meetings of the Members of the Association—five actually present shall form a quorum—in London or elsewhere, as often as the Committee may deem necessary.Minutes and Votes16. The minutes of the proceedings of all Meetings shall be kept, and the minutes of the last preceding Meeting shall be read at the commencement of the next subsequent Meeting, and be approved and confirmed by vote. Each Member shall have one vote, and the Chairman shall have a casting vote.Shows and Trials17. The Association shall, if possible, promote andhold such Shows and Trials as the Committee may deem expedient, and either in or without connection with any other Exhibition, as the Committee may direct.Disbursements18. All expenses incurred by the Secretary, Treasurer, or other Member of the Committee, or by any Member for or on behalf of the Association, on the authority of the Committee, shall be defrayed out of the funds of the Association.Report and Audit19. An Annual Report, with a statement of the financial position of the Association, shall be drafted by the Retiring Committee, and presented at the Annual General Meeting.Withdrawal from Membership20. It shall be competent for any Honorary Member or Member to withdraw from the Association on giving notice of his intention in writing to the Secretary, but any Member leaving the Association shall remain liable for all subscriptions not already paid, including that due for the current year, and shall not be entitled to receive back any money he may have paid to or on account of the Association during his Membership, or have any claim against the Association, except under Rule 18.Expulsion21. Any Member violating the Rules and Regulations of the Association for the time being in force, shall be liable to be expelled by the Committee; and any Member of the Association who shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Committee to have in any way misconducted himself in connection with Dogs, Dog Shows, or Trials, or to have in any way acted in opposition to the fundamental rules and principles upon which the Association has been established, or in any other manner which would make it undesirable, in the opinion of the Committee, that he should continue to be a Member, shall be requested to retire from the Association, and if a resolution to that effect shall be carried by a majority of the Committee, the Member so requested to retire shall thenceforth cease to be a Member of the Association, as if he had resigned in the usual course, and shall not be entitled to have any part of his Annual Subscription for the current year returned to him, and shall remain liable for all arrears of subscriptions unpaid and any dues owing, but before any such expulsion or request to retire, the Member shall have an opportunity of being heard in his defence.Election of Committee and Officers22. The Chairman, Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, andCommittee shall be elected annually. Their election shall take place at the Annual General Meeting, and be by ballot. Only Members of the Association shall be eligible to hold office. Nominations shall be sent in to the Secretary, seven days prior to the Meeting, of gentlemen whom it may be deemed desirable to elect; and Members of the retiring Committee shall be eligible for re-election without nomination.A Member shall not give more than one vote for any one candidate, and must vote for the full number of vacancies.Notices23. Notices of the convening of any Meetings may be inserted in theKennel Gazette,Field,Stock-Keeper,Our Dogs,Kennel News, or such other similar publication of which due notice is given to the Members, and that shall thenceforth be deemed full and sufficient without notice in writing.Service of Notices24. A notice may be served by the Association upon any Member, either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to such Member at his registered place of address.25. Any notices, if served by post, shall be deemed to have been served at the latest within twelvehours after the same shall have been posted, and in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice was properly addressed and put into a post-office letter box.26. As regards those Members of the Association who have no registered address in the United Kingdom, a notice posted up in the office or residence of the Secretary for the time being shall be deemed to be well served on them at the expiration of twelve hours after it is so posted up.Irish WolfhoundsThe present breed of Irish Wolfhounds appears to be the outcome of crossing the Deerhound with the Boarhound, though several centuries ago this variety of dog was said to be in existence, and employed, as its name indicates, for hunting the wolves in this and his own country.The extermination of wolves in these countries would naturally account for the decadence of the Hounds hunting them.Be this as it may, the present type of Hound is a fast and powerful dog, and, we should judge, would prove to be quite equal to his earlier representatives.In colour these Hounds are red, brindle, fawn, grey, black, white, etc., and have a rough, hard coat on body, head and limbs, the hair under the jaw and over the eyes, being long, and wiry in texture.Weight,height(proportionate), and powerful build are essentials, and should be one of the principal aims of the breeder.Dogs ought not to be less than 31 inches, and bitches 28 inches. In weight, the former ought to scale 120 lbs. and bitches about 100 lbs.Head.—Must be long, of medium width above the eyes, and the muzzle long and pointed.Ears.—Small.Neck.—Ought to be well curved, long, and deep.A deep chest, wide brisket, and long, strong back and loins, together with a long curved tail, having an abundance of hair upon it, are qualifications for a typical specimen.Fore-limbs.—Strong, big-boned forearms , straight and carried straight, ending in large round feet and strong claws, are essentials of beauty in these regions.Hind-quarters.—To be clothed with well-developed muscles—weakness in this respect being a fault—having a long second thigh, and hocks low placed.In many respects the Irish Wolfhound resembles the Russian Wolfhound, our own Deerhound and Greyhound, though it is a more massive animal than any of these, but like these Hounds, built upon racing lines, though of the heavy-weight class.The Irish Wolfhound Club watches over the interests of the breed.The GreyhoundFrom representations upon Egyptian monuments, etc., the Greyhound has been shown to have been in existence for three thousand years at least, and, according to Holinshead, was introduced into Britain some time during the third century. The first record of any coursing club in this country is said to be that founded by Lord Orford in Norfolk, during 1776.The modern Greyhound is vastly superior to those of the ancients, if the old prints are faithful representations of these fleet-coursing thoroughbreds.Although the Greyhound hunts by "sight," he is by no means "devoid" of hunting by "scent," as the Foxhound, Otterhound, etc. Misterton, winner of the Waterloo Cup in 1879 (63 lbs. weight); Coomassie, winner of the Waterloo Cup twice (weight 42 lbs.); Master M'Grath, winner of the Waterloo Cup three times (54 lbs.), and Fullerton (65 lbs.), winner of the Waterloo Cup three times and a division of it the fourth time with his kennel companion, may be said to have been the grandest quartet of Greyhounds ever gracing the course.To enter into a detailed account of the Greyhound would be quite outside the title and scope of this work, therefore the author will only give a brief outline of some of the more important points of these fleet-footed Hounds, which are as follows:—Head.—This should be long and narrow, wide between the ears and low between the eyes. The head of a bitch is of finer mould. Lean jaws.Eyes.—Penetrating and full of animation.Ears.—Elegantly carried and small.Neck.—Very important. Must be long, strong, very supple, and, above all, graceful. A high degree of flexibility is indispensable.Fore-quarters.—Shoulders must not be over-loaded with muscle, but a great degree of obliquity is asine qua non.Arm, long, ending below in a strong elbow joint.Fore-arm.—Very long, strong, and should consist of little beyond bone, muscles and tendons. It is in this region, particularly, that the Greyhound excels in beauty. Must be as straight as a line from elbow to knee, and, above all, well placed in relation to the parts above and below.The forward position of the fore-limbs are a striking feature of the Greyhound, giving a minimum of weight to carry in front.Long oblique pasterns, and compact hard feet are points of great importance.Hind-quarters.—Strength, width, and a great degree of flexibility are necessary in this region. Weak, or soft muscles destroys a Greyhound's speed, turning and staying power.Greyhound Bitch Lady Golightly(Property of Mrs.Dewè).Fawn Greyhound Dean Baden Powell(Property of MrEyers, Blandford).A Trio of Greyhounds(Property of MrsDewè).Duke o' Ringmer.Lady Golightly.Glory o' Ringmer.Greyhound, Sussex Belle(Property of MrsDewè).First and second thighs must be long, and well muscled.The oblique position of the second thighs constitutes the main beauty in this region. Their backward curve joins the hocks in such a manner as to give the greatest possible leverage on the long, strong, pasterns and feet below.The angles of the hocks are very acute, and, in relation to the body, placed very far back.If a Greyhound has not typically formed and well-placed hind-quarters, he will never make his mark as a runner.Chest.—Most certainly should be deep, but not wide.If a greyhound is not well-hearted he is no good for speed, or endurance.Flatness of ribs, especially towards the keel, is advantageous.Tail.—Long and tapering.Coat.—Of medium texture, neither too coarse, nor too fine.Colour.—Unimportant. A good Greyhound may be any colour.Our illustrations are from photographs kindly lent by Mrs Dewè of Ringmer, and Mr Eyers of Blandford.The WhippetThe Whippet may be described as a miniature Greyhound,and is judged much upon the same lines. The chief use of these little dogs is that of racing on a course, and for rabbiting, also as a snap-dog. It is rather singular, but miners, etc., are remarkably fond of Whippets, and the Lancashire and Staffordshire towns contain a lot of this breed.This variety of canine flesh resulted through crossing a Greyhound and Terrier.The best time of the year to breed Whippets is the spring, so that the youngsters will have the whole of the summer to develop in.For general purposes, from 15 to 18 or 20 lbs. is the most useful weight, and of either whole, or mixed colours. Fawn, bramble, blue, red and white are very common ones.Coat.—Should be fine and close.Constitution.—Must be sound (otherwise a Whippet is not the slightest use), and the chest of good capacity,i.e., the dog ought to be well-hearted. A long, lean, finely-chiselled head (wide between the eyes), and flat on the top, with bright, expressive eyes, and small rose ears, are essentials.Shoulders should have a good slope; the neck long, clean, and inclined to be straight, not arched, as stated by some authorities.Fore-limbs.—These must be as straight as a line; have good bone, be long, have well-developed muscles, and well placed in relation to the body.Typical Whippet Dog Dandy Coon(Property of MrThomas Redruth).The shoulders long, the arms long, forearms very long, and pasterns long, but proportionate.The loins are very important features in a good Whippet. This region should show strongly-developed muscles, be slightly arched, passing in front on to a broad and square back.Front ribs to be well rounded and long; the back ones short.Hind-quarters, Tail, and Feet.—If a racing dog is poorly developed in these regions, he is no use for the purpose. The outlines of the individual muscles ought to be plainly seen.Long first and second thighs are asine qua nonin the Whippet. Both width and strength are necessary. Well-bent stifles and strong hocks equally essential. Feet round, and well split up.Tail.—Long, tapered, and nicely curved.General Appearance of the Whippet.—A smart, racily-built, active-looking dog, of various colours, having a deep chest, narrow waist, and long, beautifully modelled, muscular extremities.SECTION DMixed HoundsCHAPTER XBorzoisBeaglesDachshundsBasset-hounds(Rough and Smooth)Borzois Padiham Nordia(Property of MrMurphy).Borzois Dog(Property of MrsHeaven).
For several centuries at least, the Bloodhound has existed as a distinct variety of the canine race. According to Jesse, the earliest mention of Bloodhounds was during the reign of Henry III., and that the breed originated from the Talbot, brought over by William the Conqueror, and very similar to a breed from St Hubert's Abbey and Ardennes, which, according to the old legends, was imported by St Hubert, from the south of Gaul, about the sixth century.
The Talbot was the popular Hound from the twelfth to the sixteenth century, becoming extinct about the end of the last century.
"The Southern Hound, another very old breed, showing many characteristics of the Bloodhound, is difficult to find now in his pure state, although many old packs of Harriers have descended chiefly from Southern Hounds. The best authorities agree that the St Hubert, Talbot, and Bloodhound are all closely allied."
The foregoing is an extract from theCentury, by E. Brough.
These Hounds were used by Henry VIII. in the wars in France; by the Spaniards in Mexico, and by Queen Elizabeth against the Irish.
One of the most remarkable features of the Bloodhound is found in his abilities to track the footsteps of strangers, but in towns and cities he is quite useless for this purpose.
Within recent years, these Hounds have frequently been employed with the object of tracking a criminal, and in some instances, we believe, with very satisfactory results.
In appearance the Bloodhound has a very stately bearing, and usually of a kindly disposition.
On the hunt their music is deep and bell-like.
Although generally of good constitution, Bloodhound puppies are very troublesome to rear, distemper being the scourge to which most of them succumb.
For the photograph of the beautiful quartet, the author is indebted to Mrs Chapman of Thrapston, and to this lady, and Mr Fall for the lovely picture of the head of Champion Sultan.
The points of the Bloodhound are as follows:—
1.Head.—This is characteristic.
The skin covering the forehead and cheeks is heavily wrinkled, the more so the better. Reference to the picture showing the head of Sultan shows the remarkable expression in this region.
A Quartet of Typical Bloodhounds(the Property of MrsChapman, Thrapston).
A Quartet of Typical Bloodhounds(the Property of MrsChapman, Thrapston).
A Quartet of Typical Bloodhounds(the Property of MrsChapman, Thrapston).
The occipital dome is high but not wide, and very round. At the top it forms a peak.
The nasal surface,i.e., from eyes to nose, is very long, so that from peak to nose it may measure as much as a foot. The brows are prominent; the flews very long—sometimes a couple of inches—and the nostrils large and well dilated.
Eyes.—Small, hazel in colour, deeply sunk, and should show a great deal of "haw,"i.e., themembrana nictitans, or third eyelid. These features are very characteristic of the Bloodhound.
Long ears, thin, soft to the feel, set on low down, hanging close to cheeks, and meeting, when pulled together, over the nose.
The facial expression ought to appear quick and penetrating.
2.Legs and Feet.—There must be plenty of bone and muscle here; strong knees; straight and round well-formed, cat-like feet.
3.Chest and Shoulders.—Width and fair depth are desirable, the shoulder being very strong, the arm also strong.
4.Neck.—A long neck is essential, and the dewlap should be well developed.
5.Ribs, Back and Loin.—Well-sprung ribs, with a wide back, of moderate length, and strong loins.
6.Hind-quarters and Limbs.—There should not be much more than skin, bone, and muscle in these regions. The hocks are strong and coarse. Must not be cow-hocked.
7.Tail.—Gay carriage as in other Hounds. At rest tail is down.
8.Coat and Colour.—Black-and-tan. The black hair is generally blended with the tan, and this ought to be of a deep red. Some Hounds are tan-coloured only. Lion colour uncommon, but coveted. The body coat short and hard, but on the ears, and head, fine and soft.
Height.—For dogs, about 2 ft. 3 in.; bitches, 2 ft. (measured at shoulder).
Club.—Bloodhound Breeders' Association, particulars of this being given.
THE ASSOCIATION OF BLOODHOUND BREEDERS
(Founded 1897)
Objects of the Association
1. To foster the interests of the breed generally.
2. To establish a Fund by means of a subscription of 10 per cent. of all money prizes that each member may have won and received, as provided by the Rules.
3. To approach Show Committees with the viewof obtaining extended Classification in the Bloodhound Classes.
4. To promote Stakes in connection with the progeny of Stud Dogs.
5. To promote Stakes in connection with the progeny of Brood Bitches.
6. To offer prizes for competition at Shows in addition to those offered by Show Committees.
7. To do everything possible to promote, by trials or otherwise, the training of Bloodhounds to hunt man.
Rules and Regulations
Members
1. The Association shall consist of an unlimited number of Honorary Members and Members, who shall be persons interested in the promotion of the breeding and training of Bloodhounds, whose names and addresses shall be entered in a register to be kept by the Secretary.
Honorary Members
2. The Committee shall have power to elect as Honorary Members any persons whose election may be considered beneficial to the interest of the Association. Honorary Members to be exempt from paying the Annual Subscription, and shall notparticipate in any benefits to be derived from the Association, nor take any part in its management.
Mode of Election
3. Each Candidate for Membership shall be proposed by one Member and seconded by another, and the election shall be vested absolutely in the Committee.
Subscription
4. The Annual Subscription shall be One Guinea, payable on the 1st of January.
Members' Prize Fund
5. Each member shall, during the continuance of his membership, contribute to a fund, to be known as The Members' Prize Fund, 10 per cent. of all money prizes received by him (except out of the Fund) during each year, and won for Bloodhounds at Shows and Trials held under Kennel Club Rules.
6. The Fund shall be closed on the 31st December in each year, and the amount received shall be offered for competition amongst the Members during the year following in such manner as the Committee may deem fit.
7. No Member shall be entitled to compete for prizes offered out of a Fund subscribed for whilst heshall not have been a Member, except as provided by Rule 8.
8. No Member shall be entitled to compete for prizes offered out of the Fund subscribed during the year during which he shall have been elected a Member, unless he shall have, within one month of his election, paid to the Association 10 per cent. of all money prizes previously received by him during that year for Bloodhounds at Shows and Trials held under Kennel Club Rules.
Members in Arrear
9. No Member shall be allowed to vote or compete for Association Prizes, or in any way whatsoever enjoy any of the privileges of Membership, whilst his current subscription and any other debts due by him to the Association are outstanding, and for which application has been made.
10. The Committee shall have power to erase the name from the list of Members of any Member whose subscription remains unpaid on 31st day of March.
Executive
11. The affairs of the Association shall be conducted by a Chairman, a Committee of five, a Treasurer and a Secretary. All officers of the Association shall be Honorary, and no Membershall be allowed to make the Association a means of private speculation or trade, or to derive money profit through it. The Chairman, Treasurer, and Hon. Secretary shall beex-officioMembers of the Committee.
12. The Executive shall be elected annually, as provided by Rule 22:—Chairman, MrEdwin Brough;Committee, MrWalter Evans, MrH. C. Hodson, MrArthur O. Mudie, MrW. K. Taunton, MrJ. Sidney Turner;Hon. Secretary, MrEdgar Farman.
Annual General Meeting
13. An Annual General Meeting shall be held in January, for the purpose of electing the officers of the Association for the ensuing year.
Powers of the Committee
14. The management of the Association shall be wholly vested in the Committee, which shall have the power to call meetings of the Association, to make necessary bye-laws and rescind the same, arbitrate in disputed matters, the absolute power of the election of Members, and the right to refuse the admission of or remove from the Association any person deemed objectionable. The Committee shall also have the sole power to deal with the funds and property of the Association in its absolute discretion,also to deal with any question or matter not provided for by these Rules, and also elect persons to fill up any vacancy occurring in its numbers. Such elections to be confirmed at the next Committee Meeting, and such persons shall continue in office until the next Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall decide upon the value and nature of the prizes to be offered at the various Shows and Trials.
Meetings
15. There shall be a meeting of the Committee as often as deemed necessary—three shall form a quorum. There shall be Meetings of the Members of the Association—five actually present shall form a quorum—in London or elsewhere, as often as the Committee may deem necessary.
Minutes and Votes
16. The minutes of the proceedings of all Meetings shall be kept, and the minutes of the last preceding Meeting shall be read at the commencement of the next subsequent Meeting, and be approved and confirmed by vote. Each Member shall have one vote, and the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
Shows and Trials
17. The Association shall, if possible, promote andhold such Shows and Trials as the Committee may deem expedient, and either in or without connection with any other Exhibition, as the Committee may direct.
Disbursements
18. All expenses incurred by the Secretary, Treasurer, or other Member of the Committee, or by any Member for or on behalf of the Association, on the authority of the Committee, shall be defrayed out of the funds of the Association.
Report and Audit
19. An Annual Report, with a statement of the financial position of the Association, shall be drafted by the Retiring Committee, and presented at the Annual General Meeting.
Withdrawal from Membership
20. It shall be competent for any Honorary Member or Member to withdraw from the Association on giving notice of his intention in writing to the Secretary, but any Member leaving the Association shall remain liable for all subscriptions not already paid, including that due for the current year, and shall not be entitled to receive back any money he may have paid to or on account of the Association during his Membership, or have any claim against the Association, except under Rule 18.
Expulsion
21. Any Member violating the Rules and Regulations of the Association for the time being in force, shall be liable to be expelled by the Committee; and any Member of the Association who shall be proved to the satisfaction of the Committee to have in any way misconducted himself in connection with Dogs, Dog Shows, or Trials, or to have in any way acted in opposition to the fundamental rules and principles upon which the Association has been established, or in any other manner which would make it undesirable, in the opinion of the Committee, that he should continue to be a Member, shall be requested to retire from the Association, and if a resolution to that effect shall be carried by a majority of the Committee, the Member so requested to retire shall thenceforth cease to be a Member of the Association, as if he had resigned in the usual course, and shall not be entitled to have any part of his Annual Subscription for the current year returned to him, and shall remain liable for all arrears of subscriptions unpaid and any dues owing, but before any such expulsion or request to retire, the Member shall have an opportunity of being heard in his defence.
Election of Committee and Officers
22. The Chairman, Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, andCommittee shall be elected annually. Their election shall take place at the Annual General Meeting, and be by ballot. Only Members of the Association shall be eligible to hold office. Nominations shall be sent in to the Secretary, seven days prior to the Meeting, of gentlemen whom it may be deemed desirable to elect; and Members of the retiring Committee shall be eligible for re-election without nomination.
A Member shall not give more than one vote for any one candidate, and must vote for the full number of vacancies.
Notices
23. Notices of the convening of any Meetings may be inserted in theKennel Gazette,Field,Stock-Keeper,Our Dogs,Kennel News, or such other similar publication of which due notice is given to the Members, and that shall thenceforth be deemed full and sufficient without notice in writing.
Service of Notices
24. A notice may be served by the Association upon any Member, either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to such Member at his registered place of address.
25. Any notices, if served by post, shall be deemed to have been served at the latest within twelvehours after the same shall have been posted, and in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing the notice was properly addressed and put into a post-office letter box.
26. As regards those Members of the Association who have no registered address in the United Kingdom, a notice posted up in the office or residence of the Secretary for the time being shall be deemed to be well served on them at the expiration of twelve hours after it is so posted up.
The present breed of Irish Wolfhounds appears to be the outcome of crossing the Deerhound with the Boarhound, though several centuries ago this variety of dog was said to be in existence, and employed, as its name indicates, for hunting the wolves in this and his own country.
The extermination of wolves in these countries would naturally account for the decadence of the Hounds hunting them.
Be this as it may, the present type of Hound is a fast and powerful dog, and, we should judge, would prove to be quite equal to his earlier representatives.
In colour these Hounds are red, brindle, fawn, grey, black, white, etc., and have a rough, hard coat on body, head and limbs, the hair under the jaw and over the eyes, being long, and wiry in texture.
Weight,height(proportionate), and powerful build are essentials, and should be one of the principal aims of the breeder.
Dogs ought not to be less than 31 inches, and bitches 28 inches. In weight, the former ought to scale 120 lbs. and bitches about 100 lbs.
Head.—Must be long, of medium width above the eyes, and the muzzle long and pointed.
Ears.—Small.
Neck.—Ought to be well curved, long, and deep.
A deep chest, wide brisket, and long, strong back and loins, together with a long curved tail, having an abundance of hair upon it, are qualifications for a typical specimen.
Fore-limbs.—Strong, big-boned forearms , straight and carried straight, ending in large round feet and strong claws, are essentials of beauty in these regions.
Hind-quarters.—To be clothed with well-developed muscles—weakness in this respect being a fault—having a long second thigh, and hocks low placed.
In many respects the Irish Wolfhound resembles the Russian Wolfhound, our own Deerhound and Greyhound, though it is a more massive animal than any of these, but like these Hounds, built upon racing lines, though of the heavy-weight class.
The Irish Wolfhound Club watches over the interests of the breed.
From representations upon Egyptian monuments, etc., the Greyhound has been shown to have been in existence for three thousand years at least, and, according to Holinshead, was introduced into Britain some time during the third century. The first record of any coursing club in this country is said to be that founded by Lord Orford in Norfolk, during 1776.
The modern Greyhound is vastly superior to those of the ancients, if the old prints are faithful representations of these fleet-coursing thoroughbreds.
Although the Greyhound hunts by "sight," he is by no means "devoid" of hunting by "scent," as the Foxhound, Otterhound, etc. Misterton, winner of the Waterloo Cup in 1879 (63 lbs. weight); Coomassie, winner of the Waterloo Cup twice (weight 42 lbs.); Master M'Grath, winner of the Waterloo Cup three times (54 lbs.), and Fullerton (65 lbs.), winner of the Waterloo Cup three times and a division of it the fourth time with his kennel companion, may be said to have been the grandest quartet of Greyhounds ever gracing the course.
To enter into a detailed account of the Greyhound would be quite outside the title and scope of this work, therefore the author will only give a brief outline of some of the more important points of these fleet-footed Hounds, which are as follows:—
Head.—This should be long and narrow, wide between the ears and low between the eyes. The head of a bitch is of finer mould. Lean jaws.
Eyes.—Penetrating and full of animation.
Ears.—Elegantly carried and small.
Neck.—Very important. Must be long, strong, very supple, and, above all, graceful. A high degree of flexibility is indispensable.
Fore-quarters.—Shoulders must not be over-loaded with muscle, but a great degree of obliquity is asine qua non.
Arm, long, ending below in a strong elbow joint.
Fore-arm.—Very long, strong, and should consist of little beyond bone, muscles and tendons. It is in this region, particularly, that the Greyhound excels in beauty. Must be as straight as a line from elbow to knee, and, above all, well placed in relation to the parts above and below.
The forward position of the fore-limbs are a striking feature of the Greyhound, giving a minimum of weight to carry in front.
Long oblique pasterns, and compact hard feet are points of great importance.
Hind-quarters.—Strength, width, and a great degree of flexibility are necessary in this region. Weak, or soft muscles destroys a Greyhound's speed, turning and staying power.
Greyhound Bitch Lady Golightly(Property of Mrs.Dewè).
Greyhound Bitch Lady Golightly(Property of Mrs.Dewè).
Greyhound Bitch Lady Golightly(Property of Mrs.Dewè).
Fawn Greyhound Dean Baden Powell(Property of MrEyers, Blandford).
Fawn Greyhound Dean Baden Powell(Property of MrEyers, Blandford).
Fawn Greyhound Dean Baden Powell(Property of MrEyers, Blandford).
A Trio of Greyhounds(Property of MrsDewè).Duke o' Ringmer.Lady Golightly.Glory o' Ringmer.
A Trio of Greyhounds(Property of MrsDewè).Duke o' Ringmer.Lady Golightly.Glory o' Ringmer.
A Trio of Greyhounds(Property of MrsDewè).Duke o' Ringmer.Lady Golightly.Glory o' Ringmer.
Greyhound, Sussex Belle(Property of MrsDewè).
Greyhound, Sussex Belle(Property of MrsDewè).
Greyhound, Sussex Belle(Property of MrsDewè).
First and second thighs must be long, and well muscled.
The oblique position of the second thighs constitutes the main beauty in this region. Their backward curve joins the hocks in such a manner as to give the greatest possible leverage on the long, strong, pasterns and feet below.
The angles of the hocks are very acute, and, in relation to the body, placed very far back.
If a Greyhound has not typically formed and well-placed hind-quarters, he will never make his mark as a runner.
Chest.—Most certainly should be deep, but not wide.
If a greyhound is not well-hearted he is no good for speed, or endurance.
Flatness of ribs, especially towards the keel, is advantageous.
Tail.—Long and tapering.
Coat.—Of medium texture, neither too coarse, nor too fine.
Colour.—Unimportant. A good Greyhound may be any colour.
Our illustrations are from photographs kindly lent by Mrs Dewè of Ringmer, and Mr Eyers of Blandford.
The Whippet may be described as a miniature Greyhound,and is judged much upon the same lines. The chief use of these little dogs is that of racing on a course, and for rabbiting, also as a snap-dog. It is rather singular, but miners, etc., are remarkably fond of Whippets, and the Lancashire and Staffordshire towns contain a lot of this breed.
This variety of canine flesh resulted through crossing a Greyhound and Terrier.
The best time of the year to breed Whippets is the spring, so that the youngsters will have the whole of the summer to develop in.
For general purposes, from 15 to 18 or 20 lbs. is the most useful weight, and of either whole, or mixed colours. Fawn, bramble, blue, red and white are very common ones.
Coat.—Should be fine and close.
Constitution.—Must be sound (otherwise a Whippet is not the slightest use), and the chest of good capacity,i.e., the dog ought to be well-hearted. A long, lean, finely-chiselled head (wide between the eyes), and flat on the top, with bright, expressive eyes, and small rose ears, are essentials.
Shoulders should have a good slope; the neck long, clean, and inclined to be straight, not arched, as stated by some authorities.
Fore-limbs.—These must be as straight as a line; have good bone, be long, have well-developed muscles, and well placed in relation to the body.
Typical Whippet Dog Dandy Coon(Property of MrThomas Redruth).
Typical Whippet Dog Dandy Coon(Property of MrThomas Redruth).
Typical Whippet Dog Dandy Coon(Property of MrThomas Redruth).
The shoulders long, the arms long, forearms very long, and pasterns long, but proportionate.
The loins are very important features in a good Whippet. This region should show strongly-developed muscles, be slightly arched, passing in front on to a broad and square back.
Front ribs to be well rounded and long; the back ones short.
Hind-quarters, Tail, and Feet.—If a racing dog is poorly developed in these regions, he is no use for the purpose. The outlines of the individual muscles ought to be plainly seen.
Long first and second thighs are asine qua nonin the Whippet. Both width and strength are necessary. Well-bent stifles and strong hocks equally essential. Feet round, and well split up.
Tail.—Long, tapered, and nicely curved.
General Appearance of the Whippet.—A smart, racily-built, active-looking dog, of various colours, having a deep chest, narrow waist, and long, beautifully modelled, muscular extremities.
SECTION D
Mixed Hounds
CHAPTER X
Borzois
Beagles
Dachshunds
Basset-hounds(Rough and Smooth)
Borzois Padiham Nordia(Property of MrMurphy).
Borzois Padiham Nordia(Property of MrMurphy).
Borzois Padiham Nordia(Property of MrMurphy).
Borzois Dog(Property of MrsHeaven).
Borzois Dog(Property of MrsHeaven).
Borzois Dog(Property of MrsHeaven).