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:--
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.
[Illustration: A QUARTET OF TYPICAL BLOODHOUNDS (the Property of Mrs CHAPMAN, 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._, the _membrana 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.