Fair Gallant Hunters, Lusty Rangers.

 

Chapter 2.

Of the Nature and Complexion of Whtie Dogs, called Baux, and surnamed Gressiers. 

The White Hounds have been brought in estimation in France by the Lord Great Seneschall of Normandy that was; before him they were in small estimation, principally amongst gentlemen, for as much as they serve not generally for all chases, but only for the Hart.

The first of the race was called Souyllard, which was given by a poor gentleman to King Lewys deceased, who made no great account of him, because he loved the Dun Hounds above all other, of which all his kennel was, and he made none account of others, unless it were to make Bloodhounds. The Seneschall Gaston being present with the gentleman who offered his dog, knowing well that the King loved not the hound, did beg him from the King, to make a present unto the wisest lady of his realm. The King asked him who that was.

That is (quod he) Anne of Bourbon, your daughter.

I agree not with you (quoth the King) that you have named her the wisest, but you may say less foolish than others, whereas there is few wise women in the world.

Then the King gave the dog unto the Seneschall Gaston, who led him not far before he was begged of him, for the Lord Great Seneschall of Normandy did so importunately crave him that he was constrained to grant him. Afterwards, the Lord Great Seneschall gave the Hound in keeping to a hunter called James of Bresé, and from that time forwards they began to have bitches lined by that dog, and so to have a race of them. The next year following, the Lady Anne of Bourbon, who loved hunting exceedingly, understanding the beauty and goodness of this dog, sent a bitch to be lined by him two or three times, whereupon they engendered fifteen or sixteen dogs, amongst the rest six were excellent, called Clerault, Joubard, Miraud, Meigret, Marteau and Hoyse the good bitch. 

Since thence the race did daily increase, as it is at this present, although at the beginning the dogs of that race were not so strong as they be at this present time. For the mighty King Frances did enforce them by a fallow dog called Myrauld, the which Monsieur Anybaula the Admiral did give him; and afterwards, the Queen of Scots gave the King a White Dog called Barraude, from the which Marconnay Lieutenant of the Chase did get his race of dogs, which are excellent and much stronger than the rest were.

And to speak truly, such dogs are most proper for princes, and with such they ought to be served for as much as they are fair, gallant hunters, lusty rangers and good of scent, which give not over their chase for any heat that is, and are not easily overlaid or broken with throng of the riders, nor with the noise and cry of many men which daily attend princes in hunting, and keep their chase better without change than any other kind of dogs, and are much better to trust unto. Nevertheless, they must be accompanied with the horsemen, and do fear the water a little, especially in the winter when it is cold. 

I will not forget to set down what dogs of that race are best, for as much as in every litter one half doth not prove good; understand, then, that those which are all of one colour (as all white) are the best hounds. In like manner, those which are spotted with red, the others which are marked or spotted with black or dun, or a colour like unto frisé are of small valour, of which some of them are subject to have their feet great, fat and tender. Sometimes nature doth so work that it makes some to come out all black, the which happens not often but when it doth happen they are commonly seen to be good, and you must note that the dogs of that sort are not in their chief goodness until they be three years old or thereabouts, and they are much inclined to run at tame beasts. Now, in our latter experience in this kingdom, we find the White Dog, and the White Dog spotted with Black, to be ever the best hunters,
especially at the Hare.