Page:The power of the dog.djvu/23

 an agent that may on occasion aid the police in tracing the whereabouts of a criminal, or in restoring a lost child to his home. Country gentlemen especially, with large estates, might find a couple of bloodhounds more potent protection against the depredations of poachers than several keepers. I have heard of an estate in Ireland being entirely freed from this nuisance at very little cost. For companionship a bloodhound is more suited to the country than a town. Unless to the manner born, he is not as handy in avoiding traffic as dogs which are in the habit of relying upon their eyes and ears. His nose instinctively is near the ground, and unless your attention is on him he might easily blunder under motor or cart. If taken in hand when young he is as amenable to discipline as any other breed, and, owing to his affectionate disposition, he will become deeply attached to master or mistress.