The Harrier is a distinct breed of hound used for hunting the hare, or rather it should be said the Association of Masters of Harriers are doing their utmost to perpetuate this breed; the Harrier Stud Book bearing witness thereto: and it is to be deplored that so many Masters of Harriers ignore this fact, and are content to go solely to Foxhound
kennels to start their packs of Harriers, choosing, maybe, 20 inch to 22 inch Foxhounds, and thenceforth calling them Harriers.

It is, indeed, a common belief that the modern Harrier is but a smaller edition of the Foxhound, employed for hunting the hare instead of the fox, and it is almost useless to reiterate that it is a distinct breed of hound that can boast of possibly greater antiquity than any other, or to insist upon the fact that Xenophon himself kept a pack of Harriers over two thousands years ago. Nevertheless, in general appearance the Harrier and the Foxhound are very much alike, the one obvious distinction being that of size.

There is nothing to surpass the beauty of the Beagle either to see him on the flags of his kennel or in unravelling a difficulty on the line of a dodging hare. In neatness he is really the little model of a Foxhound. He is, of course, finer, but with the length of neck so perfect in the bigger hound, the little shoulders of the same pattern, and the typical quarters and second thighs. Then how quick he is in his casts! and when he is fairly on a line, of course he sticks to it, as the saying is, "like a beagle."

Beagles have been carefully preserved for a great many years, and in some cases they have been in families for almost centuries. In the hereditary hunting establishments they have been frequently found, as the medium of amusement and instruction in hunting for the juvenile members of the house; and there can be nothing more likely to instil the right principles of venery into the youthful mind than to follow all the ways of these little hounds.

Beagle owners, like the masters of Foxhound kennels, have never been very partial to the ordinary dog shows, and so the development of the up-to-date Beagle, as seen at recent shows, is somewhat new. It is just as it should be, and if more people take up "beagling" it may not be in the least surprising. They are very beautiful little hounds, can give a vast amount of amusement, and, for the matter of that, healthy exercise. If a stout runner can keep within fairly easy distance of a pack of well-bred Beagles on the line of a lively Jack
hare, he is in the sort of condition to be generally envied.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEAGLE: HEAD…
Fair length, powerful without being coarse; skull domed, moderately wide, with an indication of peak, stop well defined, muzzle not snippy, and lips well flewed.

NOSE…
Black broad, and nostrils well expanded.

EYES…
Brown, dark hazel or hazel, not deep set nor bulgy, and with a mild expression.

EARS…
Long, set on low, fine in texture, and hanging in a graceful fold close to the cheek.

NECK…
Moderately long, slightly arched, the throat showing some dewlap.

SHOULDERS…
Clean and slightly sloping.
BODY…
Short between the couplings, well let down in chest, ribs fairly well sprung and well ribbed up, with powerful and not tucked-up loins.

HIND-QUARTERS…
Very muscular about the thighs, stifles and hocks well bent, and hocks well let down.

FORE-LEGS…
Quite straight, well under the dog, of good substance and round in the bone.

FEET…
Round, well knuckled up, and strongly padded.

STERN…
Moderate length, set on high, thick and carried gaily, but not curled over the back.

COLOUR…
Any recognised hound colour.

COAT…
Smooth variety: Smooth, very dense and not too fine or short. Rough variety: Very dense and wiry.

HEIGHT…Not exceeding 16 inches. Pocket Beagles must not exceed 10 inches.

GENERAL APPEARANCE…
A compactly-built hound, withoutcoarseness, conveying the impression of great stamina and vivacity.

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