Speaking generally, 16in. is accepted as the maximum height allowable in the Beagle, and those that run to this limit seldom display the type to perfection; they are usually desired by those who have long distances to go, or are afflicted with a superabundance of hares. It is urged that smaller hounds, being for a long time far behind the hare, would be for ever changing. Harriers with a mounted "field" to follow are sometimes objected to; consequently the largest-sized Beagles are sought after, and a powerful, big-boned hound with some pace is cultivated. For hunting "jack" and bush kangaroos in India and our colonies, Beagles of the larger size are becoming very popular, and a few years of skilled breeding might produce 16in. packs just as typical of the breed as are the smaller hounds.

Fig. 50. - Mr. C. Candy's 14in. Beagle Lofty.

Probably the most interesting Beagle work is seen in a suitable country with a 12in. pack; these, when they match nicely and work well together, not only show hunting in its perfection, but do a wonderful amount of execution even against strong hares. Able-bodied men can run with them (not only to them) and see every bit of the work, which to many greatly enhances the pleasure of a run. Even one ignorant of all sporting matters cannot but be attracted by a pack of highly bred, well-marked Beagles puzzling out a stale line on a nice piece of green turf, acknowledging the scent here and there by a few solo notes, and finally, having made quite sure, going away with a sudden burst of chorus music which brings a smile of gratification to the face of the most casual onlooker, for eye and ear have been alike delighted. The deep, bell-like tones down to the shrill treble blend together into a beautiful harmony of sound, just as the various shades of" blue mottle," "hare pie," "lemon and white," "black, white, and tan," and "black and tan" blend together in a perfect harmony of colour. Fig. 50 shows one of Mr. Candy's 14in. Beagles.

The "Pocket" variety, which has also been called the "Sleeve," "Pocket," "Glove," and "Toy" Beagle, must not exceed 10in. in height, and should be an ordinary Beagle in miniature. Thanks to its extraordinary beauty and love of sport, this midget hound has become a general favourite wherever known. It is usually used for rabbit-shooting, drag-hunting, or rabbit-hunting when holes have previously been stopped. Nothing can exceed the keenness with which a well-bred and well-entered pack of these marvellous little hounds will work, even for long hours and through a stiff country. The great difficulties breeders have to contend with are toyish characteristics (such should be rigidly suppressed), round heads, protruding eyes, light bone, weak hindquarters, and thin coats covering a snaking, chilly little body. When, after a long period of neglect, the variety again became fashionable, all the unthrifty, undersized, weakly puppies from ordinary Beagles were, instead of being destroyed as usual, reared and sold to the public as Pocket Beagles. They in their turn were bred from (this was termed "breeding down"), and the usual results of breeding from failures were bound to follow - weak constitutions, with a tendency to catch every disease known to dog flesh and no vitality to resist it; wholesale losses in pupping, consequent upon throwing back to a big ancestor, and in the field a want of power, go, and stamina. Some of the same results follow from over-much in-and-in-breeding to certain strains, the owners of which are perhaps reluctant to depart from the blood with which they are thoroughly acquainted.

The true Pocket Beagle is a distinct and very old variety, and although the limit of 10in. is a modern and an arbitrary one, chiefly for show purposes, it should always be ascertained by a reference to the pedigree if the strain is of small blood and that only. Then it must ever be remembered that he is a "hound," and should be built so as to be capable of performing a day's work - short back, powerful loin, and all the other points you look for in a working hound. Most difficult to get packed away in a 9in. or 10in. body, it has been the despair of many a breeder who has started on the task with cheerful confidence. To have some idea of the difficulty, the reader should cut a stick 10in. long, and then imagine a pack of hounds within that limit, with all a hound's characteristics (see Fig. 51).

A writer in the Field thus described rabbit-hunting with Pocket Beagles: "But supposing there are no hares, still we can get real fun out of our miniature pack. .. By carefully netting a few rabbits and turning them down, quite uninjured, in a field of roots or a thick hedgerow far from their usual haunts, an afternoon's excellent sport may be obtained. Giving bunny twenty minutes' law to shake off any feeling of stiffness or fright and enable him to take stock of the new country, we bring up 'the toys.' Now let them find him, hunt him, kill him if they can all by themselves; you are not there to kill the rabbit, but to see your toy hounds hunt him like a pack of little tigers, with a burst of music which will often put to shame the local pack of Foxhounds. A short, sharp burst followed by a pretty bit of slow hunting; up jumps bunny again, down the hedgerow, through, and out of sight, quick over for another burst, for the tiny hounds are working like demons after the excitement of their view. Many a corner you elders will have to cut if you wish to be always there; but the rules of the game must be observed. See that your rabbit is perfectly uninjured before he is turned out. Give him a fair start - i.e. no shaking out of a. bag in front of the hounds; make them find him. Do not cramp your rabbit up in a small box or a bag for twenty-four hours before expecting him to run. Do not help your pack; bunny is sufficiently handicapped by the strangeness of his surroundings. Do not let your hounds exceed ioin.; you should be able, if necessary, to carry home in a shooting-coat pocket any member of your pack. Then even rabbit-hunting will give you and your friends many an hour's amusement and drive away many an ache and pain."

Fig. 51. - Mr. Walter Crofton's ioin. Beagle Colonist.