THE BLOODHOUND.

Western Star, Issue 1349, 27 April 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE BLOODHOUND.

The voice is* so rich, so ringing, and so melodious, that in the country on a still night you can tell the place where bloodhounds are kept even at the distance of a mile or more. This voice, it should be remembered, is silent when or while the dog is on trail, until he has “spotted” his quarry, then he gives tongue. In disposition and temper the bloodhound is all that could be desired. Though a good sounding one, his name is neither a very happy nor a very descriptive title. Indeed, it is altogether misleading. It conduces to the belief that this noble hound is extremely ferocious, the very opposite being the case, and has also led not only the general public, but even (so great a veterinary authority as Professor Axe to suppose the animal bunts only on the scent of blood. I will refer to THIS ERRONEOUS BELIEF presently, meanwhile I wish to assure my readers that there are no two opinions about the’ bloodhound’s'amiability. He is, indeed, far more gentle and kind than the Newfoundland himself, or than many St Bernard?. But though the bloodhound is most affectionate he evinces great discrimination in judging character ; that calm and thoughtful eye of his seems to look the stranger through and through, and if the dog puts him down as a suspicious case, then without doubt, there is something radically wrong in the man’s disposition. It must be distinctly understood, however, that I speak of the well-bred bloodhound of the' present day, and it must not be forgotten that there is no rule without an exception. Other dogs have wonderful scenting faculties, such as the bassethound, the dachshund, and the beagle ; they babble, however —they give tongue before it is necessary. Keepers night dogs, again, may be taught to track men easily enough—poacher^for instance—from the very spot where they have been at work. But the bloodhound is the hound TO RUN DOWN RED-HANDED CRIME, to trace the guilty to his lair ;he is the great artist, the others are mere imitators, I have said “red-handed” crime ; but, notwithstanding the popular idea that the murderer’s clothes must be smeared with the blood of his victim before the hound can be used successfully, this dog’s great gift lies in being able to scent the fugitive even through clean boots, though I must not be supposed to mean that the scent of blood may not assist the animal What Ido maintain is that blood is not necessary, and this I have proved again and again, whi’e, moreover, it is a fact well known to all bloodhound trainers. If a hound could only be depended upon to track runaways by the smell of blood he would be practically of very little value. There is still another mistaken notion prevalent among the people— namely, that any bloodhound may be depended upon to track his man at any time or in any place. Tbis idea is very preposterous when we consider it ; it is almost on a par with the Irishman’s answer, when asked if he could play the riddle, ‘ ’Deed, [ think I could, blit I never thried.’ ! There is a deal of horrid music in the best of fiddles, and the! sagacity and scenting power of the best bloodhounds ■ might lead us all astray if the animal had never been properly trained.— Leisure Hour.