Hounds of France [antikvár]

INTRODUCTIONby Dr. Emile GuilletWith six or seven hundred thousand hounds divided into 40 breeds or varieties used by 400,000 hunters, France possesses a national heritage unique in the world.Nearly 300 packs hunt stag, boar, roe deer, fox or hare; they represent the elite of hunting. Its original aspects and traditions have been retained yet at the same time have adapted to modern demands to maintain a good balance of nature.The French dog lover is well organised by his Federation, the Socie'té Centrale Canine which, under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture brings together the regional Canine Societies, they themselves divided into branches, and the very many associations of specific breeds. Hounds make up the fifth and sixth group of the classifications index of the Société de Vénerie, the Association of Masters of Hounds and the thirteen hound clubs. Originating from the Société de Vénerie, the Société Centrale Canine this year organised its hundredth exhibition in Paris where all breeds of hounds were represented, and in particular the "chiens d'ordre" which received the ovation of 35,000 visitors.In 1976 at Dissay, in Poitou where in the 19th Century at the invitation of the Vicomte de la Besge, the Duke of Beaufort came with his foxhounds to hunt the wolf the Société de Vénerie assembled more than 2,000 hounds in 104 packs. This was an unrivalled success where we should have liked to have seen our English colleagues, Masters and Judges of the Hounds, whom we meet at their magnificent shows, particularly that at Peterborough.Nevertheless, one of their best representatives was amongst us; George Johnston. I know him as the excellent breeder of Sykemoor hounds and the author of a marvellous work on these Basset Hounds. He was in the ring with me for two days. I realised how perfectly this dog lover knows our ancient French breeds, the Poitevins, the Tricolore, etc., and above all our Anglo-French descendants of the cross-breed-ing of our French dogs with the EngUsh Fox Hounds, producing the well defined species we now know.Today these reproduce and account for 75% of the livestock of our packs while from time to time benefitting from a fresh infusion of English fox hound blood, thanks to the generosity of our colleagues, the English Masters of the Hounds. Our breeding is based on the axiom: "infusion doesn't mean profusion". From this English blood we desire to acquire health, frame and, to assure a better stammina while hunting without neglecting certain functional quahties known to the Fox hound: disposition to water, versatility, a strong mouth, etc. We wish to retain in our dogs the love of hunting, the full cry, the keenness of scent and the speed necessary to continue to hunt in the French manner.With his innate sense of judgment of hounds, George Johnston has proved to me each time we have met that he understands these requirements perfectly.It is therefore an honour and a great pleasure for us to see him publish a work about the Hounds of France. No-one is better informed than he to accomplish this task.We are confident of his success with the many Anglo-Saxon and Nordic dog