Sporting Dogs

The English Foxhound. This big dog, 23-25 inches at the shoulder, is rarely seen in the show ring or kept as a pet. It was bred solely for the hunt and can be found in the American or English version. It has a keen nose, and vast endurance. On a chase Foxhounds will lead the horses sixty miles or more and perform perfectly; when it is back in the kennel it will resist all attempts at domestication.

In England foxhounds hunt as a pack, but this is not always so in America where individuals are used as "trail" hounds or raced in pairs. The result is that although there is a strong resemblance between English and American Foxhounds they are clearly different breeds.

Skull fairly long, slightly domed; muzzle of fair length. Ears set on moderately low, long and nearly reaching the tip of the nose when drawn out. Tail set high and carried gaily. Coat close, hard and of any hound colour.

The Finnish Spitz. One of the oldest of all breeds, the Spitz is little known beyond the land from which it takes its name. A hunting hound - the Spitz tracked furred animals in earlier days from bears down to rabbits, but in our time it has been used to hunt grouse and other birds. During recent decades efforts have been made in Finland and England to restore the breed, which lost much of its identity and working abilities through endless crossings with other Scandinavian breeds. These efforts resulted in a dog with many fine qualities.

Size ranges from 17 to 20 inches. The thick coat is reddish-brown. Coat short except on back, back of thighs and tail, semi-erect on neck. Head foxy, with a sharp muzzle, ears erect and pointed; back short and level; tail bushy and curled over the back. Other names for the breed are: Barking Bird Dog and Finnish Cock-Eared Dog.