In the present day it is very difficult to meet with a harrier possessed of blood entirely unmixed with that of the foxhound, though many a master will no doubt put in a claim to that distinction. The most beautiful pack I have ever seen is that of Sir Vincent Corbett, which is said to be pure, and no doubt has as good a claim to be so distinguished as any other, and if their breeding had been confined within the limits of their own kennels during the lifetime of their master, I should accept his statement to that effect as proving their purity, but he has had recourse - as all masters must - to other strains for occasional crosses, and in that way the evidence is rendered somewhat doubtful. In any case the modern harrier is very unlike his predecessor of forty or fifty years ago, and is assimilated in appearance and style of hunting to the foxhound, from which he differs very slightly, even in the most pure specimens, in either particular. Breeders still take special care to have a combination of intelligence and high scenting power sufficient to meet the wiles of the hare, which are much more varied than those of the fox, and hence in most good harriers the head will be found wider and altogether heavier than that of the foxhound, and the nose longer and broader.

The ears also are set on rather more backward, and are not usually rounded, but with these exceptions there are no distinguishing marks between these two hounds, and even they are often exceedingly small. In the field there is often a marked and peculiar style differing from that of the foxhound, but I have seen it displayed almost equally in packs admitted to be of pure foxhound blood, and believe it to depend more on the huntsman than on the hound. If hounds are not interfered with as long as they are industrious, they work very differently from the style they show when constantly capped and lifted. The modern harrier which should sit down on his haunches and "lift up his voice" on a scent would not suit even the most bigoted "thistlewhipper," and yet our ancestors rather liked it than otherwise so long as the sitting was not too prolonged - and that it was only exhibited when first owning the scent - especially that left in a form from which "puss" had just gone. The tongues of these old-fashioned harriers were full and melodious, and I confess, until I once more hear the "merry peal" which I can so well remember in my youthful days, I shall not believe in pure harrier blood.

The points of the modern harrier with the above slight difference are the same as those of the foxhound, and I need not, therefore, repeat them. In height he varies from 16in. to 20in.

Mr. Evans' Clamorous, which illustrated the article on the harrier in the first edition of this book, will serve the purpose now as well as any that I know.

The Rough Welsh harrier still exists in a state of comparative purity, and resembles in appearance the otter hound, which will presently be described, when unmixed with other strains. When so crossed, every intermediate condition occurs, some being only slightly rough, and others approaching the otter hound in that respect as well as all others.