Erusal

Foxhounds were the original canine breeds in Great Britain to come under the domination of scientific breeding. There were hounds of more ancient origin, e.g., the Southern Hound and the Bloodhound; but a different breed was wanted towards the end of the 17th century to hunt the wild deer that had become somewhat scattered after Cromwell’s civil war.

The demand was therefore for a quicker hound than those previously known, and people devoted to the chase began to breed it.

Here are the characteristics of this breed:

Head:-

Somewhat broad, not peaked like the Bloodhound, but long from the apex to the frontal bones, eyebrows very prominent, cheeks cut clean from the eye to the nostril, low set ears and, in their natural condition, thin and shapely, but not large, nose large, level and strong jaw, and small dewlaps, and fierce expression.

Eyes:-

Very bright and deeply set, full of determination, and with a very steady expression. The look of the Foxhound is very remarkable.

Neck:-

Should be perfectly clean, no skin ruffle whatever. The length of neck is important, both for stooping and giving an air of majesty.

Shoulders:-

The blades should be well into the back, and should slant, otherwise be wide and strong, to meet the arms, that should be long and powerful.

Legs and feet:-

The bone should be perfectly straight from the arm downward, and descend in the same degree of size to the ankles. The knee should be almost flat and level; there should be no curve until coming to the toes, which should be very strong, round, cat-shaped, and every toe clean set as it were.

Coat:-

The coat is hard hair, but short and smooth, the texture is as stiff as bristles, but beautifully laid.

Colour:-

Belvoir tan, which is brown and black, perfectly intermixed, with white markings of various shapes and sizes. The white should be very opaque and clear. Black and white, with tan markings on head and stifles. Badger pied a kind of grey and white. Lemon pied, light yellow and white. Hare pied, a darker yellow and white.

Height:-

Dogs from 23-1/2 to 24 inches; bitches from 22 to 22-1/2 inches.

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